Rivalry Of The Decade?

[neepo13]

NBC keeps referring to the Pats/Colts as the rivalry of the decade. Does anybody outside of the fans of NE and Indy and the media really care about it? I mean are there fans not in either fanbase that looks at the NFL schedule and circles that game on their calender? Personally, it seems like its more media manufactured then anything. Its a good game but the hatred and intensity that good rivalries have just inst there. It just seems like just another game for each team.

[darklight1216]

It's a good game, but it doesn't get me excited. I'd rather watch the NFC East or North rivalries.

Even if only Indy and NE fans really care about this game, that is still a huge portion of the NFL fanbase so it's safe to say that this is one of the more popular rivalries.

[theFRANCHISE]

I think it is.

Sure, there've been their share of blowouts, but their meetings have not been without significance. They've met in the playoffs on more than one occasion, and their match-ups have often resulted in playoff ramifications beyond their own fates.

Also, it helps that both teams have some of the biggest talents and names in all of pro football. Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Dwight Freeney, Bob Sanders, Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Robert Mathis, Fred Taylor, Joseph Addai, Vince Wilfork, Brandon Meriweather, Ben Watson, Adalius Thomas, Jerod Mayo, Junior Seau, Adam Vinatieri, Dallas Clark, Antoine Bethea, just to name a few.

There's a Super Bowl-like atmosphere when the stakes are high when these two teams meet. And it also helps when there's been their share of close games.

[H8R]

I say yes.

[PuRock]

I like how it's a game that is played every year. And the league pawns it off as a *formula*, its only luck they meet every year. I call bull****.

We seem to play the colts/patriots every other year. That's a formula.

[J-man]

I think that Rivalry of a Decade is a little too much, but it is true.

[SteelersProphet]

its always a big game but i dont really see it as a big rivalry

in my opinion a rivalry is when you want to beat the other team more than anything.....and you also have to know the other team thru and thru

they arent going to suprise us we arent going to suprise them

but then if you add the fact that the success or failure of this team directly impacts your success or failure....you get a true rivalry

Colts v. Patriots is just a game between two very good teams,and two very good QB's

Entertaining yes, Rivalry no

[Reddawn36]

and here I thought the ravens and steelers were the "rivalry of the decade" ... I mean just looking at the league across the board there aren't many rivalries that come close to that minus the NFC East....

[dethdude420]

Anyone else this Bill was payed off?
I mean who goes for it on 4th and 3 on your own thirty with the lead. Just punt the ball and your likely to win

[ZIBBY28]

big game (what seems like every year), yes.. rivaly, no.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='Reddawn36' date='16 November 2009 - 10:46 AM' timestamp='1258386402' post='282379']
[n]and here I thought the ravens and steelers were the "rivalry of the decade"[/b] ... I mean just looking at the league across the board there aren't many rivalries that come close to that minus the NFC East....
[/quote]
Now I think that (more than Pats/Colts) is the kind of game which no one but the respective teams fans really care about.

[SteelersProphet]

[quote name='ZIBBY28' date='16 November 2009 - 11:54 AM' timestamp='1258390490' post='282402']
big game (what seems like every year), yes.. rivaly, no.
[/quote]

im confused didnt you vote yes

[Reddawn36]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='16 November 2009 - 01:26 PM' timestamp='1258396008' post='282453']
Now I think that (more than Pats/Colts) is the kind of game which no one but the respective teams fans really care about.
[/quote]

you mean besides the people who like watching football the way its supposed to be played? (not counting this year)

[McBoller]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='15 November 2009 - 09:37 PM' timestamp='1258339067' post='282148']
I think it is.

Sure, there've been their share of blowouts, but their meetings have not been without significance. They've met in the playoffs on more than one occasion, and their match-ups have often resulted in playoff ramifications beyond their own fates.

Also, it helps that both teams have some of the biggest talents and names in all of pro football. Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Dwight Freeney, Bob Sanders, Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Robert Mathis, Fred Taylor, Joseph Addai, Vince Wilfork, Brandon Meriweather, Ben Watson, Adalius Thomas, Jerod Mayo, Junior Seau, Adam Vinatieri, Dallas Clark, Antoine Bethea, just to name a few.

There's a Super Bowl-like atmosphere when the stakes are high when these two teams meet. And it also helps when there's been their share of close games.
[/quote]
you forgot Matt Stover

[McBoller]

I would say absolutely yes, it is the biggest rivalry of the decade. Probably the two most consistently good teams in the same conference that get to go at it nearly every year in the regular season and the playoffs. It may not have the same atmosphere of Ravens/Steelers or Vikings/Packers, but it always has some kind of bearing on the season.

[SteelersProphet]

[quote name='McBoller' date='16 November 2009 - 03:06 PM' timestamp='1258401965' post='282511']
It may not have the same atmosphere of Ravens/Steelers or Vikings/Packers, but it always has some kind of bearing on the season.

[/quote]

But Rivalries IMO have to be intense matchups, and it doesnt seem to me they had any of that intense rivalry Fire.

it just seeme to me that the viewere like this game so much that they want it to be an epic rivalry....but i dont think the players feel that way as much

and that fire....that atmosphere of must win...is much stronger in a raven-steelers game

[darklight1216]

[quote name='STEELERS PROPHET268' date='16 November 2009 - 03:37 PM' timestamp='1258403823' post='282536']
But Rivalries IMO have to be intense matchups, and it doesnt seem to me they had any of that intense rivalry Fire.

it just seeme to me the viewere like this game so much that they want it to be an epic rivalry....but i dont think the players feel that way as much

and that fire....[b]that atmosphere of must win[/b]...is much stronger in a raven-steelers game
[/quote]
Hey, someone has to get that number 1 seed.

[Holden89]

[quote name='neepo13' date='15 November 2009 - 09:25 PM' timestamp='1258338351' post='282137']
NBC keeps referring to the Pats/Colts as the rivalry of the decade. Does anybody outside of the fans of NE and Indy and the media really care about it? I mean are there fans not in either fanbase that looks at the NFL schedule and circles that game on their calender? Personally, it seems like its more media manufactured then anything. [b]Its a good game but the hatred and intensity that good rivalries have just inst there. It just seems like just another game for each team.[/b]
[/quote]

As a Colts fan I can tell you that you couldn't be more wrong there. If the Colts were to go 1-15, the ONE game of the year every Colts fan would want to win would be against the Patriots. I don't get clammy hands and almost cry after the Colts beat anyone but the Patriots. The Colts Forum doesn't shut down after any game except for a win against the Patriots.

[quote name='STEELERS PROPHET268' date='16 November 2009 - 10:05 AM' timestamp='1258383950' post='282359']
its always a big game but i dont really see it as a big rivalry

in my opinion a rivalry is when you want to beat the other team more than anything.....and you also have to know the other team thru and thru

they arent going to suprise us we arent going to suprise them

but then if you add the fact that the success or failure of this team directly impacts your success or failure....you get a true rivalry

Colts v. Patriots is just a game between two very good teams,and two very good QB's

Entertaining yes, Rivalry no
[/quote]


You pretty much described how the Colts and Patriot are. Due to the formula of the schedule, we have played eachother every year for the last, what 8 years now? (We both finish in the same place in our division...usually first). Ask 99% of Colts and Pats fans who their biggest rival is, and they will say the Pats/Colts.

Is it the rivalry of the decade? I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think there's any other rivalry right now to match it.

[Sub-Zero]

 this rivalry has provided some of the most memorable games/finishes. it's like the Lakers vs. Celtics IMO.

- The Pats goalline stand after nearly surrendering a 31-10 lead to win it 38-34

- Mike Vanderjagt taunting the Pats right before his FG attempt to try to send the game into OT. He would then shank the kick after previously connecting on 42 consecutive FG's. Manning would be 0-7 career wise at this point against the Pats.

- Brady throws 4 int's with his 4th one thrown with 1:18 left as the Colts hold on to a 27-20 win.

- Manning leads the Colts to a thrilling come from behind victory after a 21-3 halftime deficit. Addai scored the go-ahead run with 1 min left as they win 38-34.

- for the first time in the Manning/Brady era, they were both undefeated in their regular season matchup.  This is the season the Pats almost went undefeated, as they win this one overcoming a 10 point deficit to win 24-20. 

- Cassell throws a pick in the final minutes after Gaffney blew the potential game winning TD catch. Colts win 18-15

- Then of course was the NBC Sunday Night banger, probably the second best of them all, second to the 2006 AFCCG.

They could possibly meet again and provide a few more classics for at least another 5 years.

[SteelersProphet]

[quote name='Holden89' date='16 November 2009 - 11:00 PM' timestamp='1258430416' post='283919']


You pretty much described how the Colts and Patriot are. Due to the formula of the schedule, we have played eachother every year for the last, what 8 years now? (We both finish in the same place in our division...usually first). Ask 99% of Colts and Pats fans who their biggest rival is, and they will say the Pats/Colts.

Is it the rivalry of the decade? I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think there's any other rivalry right now to match it.
[/quote]

im sorry but i dont agree that the players feel as much fire as the players in a steelers-ravens game

the only thing colts-pats has that steelers-ravens doesnt is offensive superpower

but steelers-ravens is the defensive version of colts-pats

and we play twice a year(sometimes 3).....for longer than 8 years

but the majority of viewers like offense better....so the media dubs this the rivalry of the decade

[neepo13]

[quote name='Holden89' date='16 November 2009 - 11:00 PM' timestamp='1258430416' post='283919']
As a Colts fan I can tell you that you couldn't be more wrong there. [b]If the Colts were to go 1-15, the ONE game of the year every Colts fan would want to win would be against the Patriots.[/b] I don't get clammy hands and almost cry after the Colts beat anyone but the Patriots. The Colts Forum doesn't shut down after any game except for a win against the Patriots.




You pretty much described how the Colts and Patriot are. Due to the formula of the schedule, we have played eachother every year for the last, what 8 years now? (We both finish in the same place in our division...usually first). Ask 99% of Colts and Pats fans who their biggest rival is, and they will say the Pats/Colts.

Is it the rivalry of the decade? I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think there's any other rivalry right now to match it.
[/quote]
Key word: FAN. I said that its something that the fans of each team cares about but is it something that the PLAYERS care about? If the Ravens had to go 1-15, our PLAYERS would want that one win to be against Pitt. The intensity that great rivalries have is not there on the field when the Pats and Colts play. Like I said to the teams, it just seems like just another game. Its a bigger deal for the media and Colts and Pats fans, than it is to the Pats and Colts players. Thats NOT a rivalry.

[ravens1977]

[quote name='dethdude420' date='16 November 2009 - 10:53 AM' timestamp='1258386785' post='282381']
Anyone else this Bill was payed off?
I mean who goes for it on 4th and 3 on your own thirty with the lead. Just punt the ball and your likely to win
[/quote]
My payoff-alarm is going off like mad today, why didn't NE just boot the ball and force Indy to work for the win???

Weird choice by Belli for sure.

[Reddawn36]

[quote name='ravens1977' date='17 November 2009 - 11:30 AM' timestamp='1258475433' post='284549']
My payoff-alarm is going off like mad today, why didn't NE just boot the ball and force Indy to work for the win???

Weird choice by Belli for sure.
[/quote]

I'll tell you why, colts have a rookie H.C. .... (nothing wrong with that at all)

but here's probably what was going through his head
1) we get the first down... we don't give manning the chance
2) if we don't get the first down manning scores fast enough that we get the ball back and can score again.... possibly to a player who gets "excited" and scores it too early

honestly you give the QB to either brady or manning with anything more than 30 seconds on the clock... and you are asking for trouble......


the bigger confusion to me was why burn the time outs if your belli.

[ZIBBY28]

[quote name='STEELERS PROPHET268' date='16 November 2009 - 02:04 PM' timestamp='1258398293' post='282483']
im confused didnt you vote yes
[/quote]
yeah.. voted on impulse without seeing what the whole argument was about... i dont think they're true rivals, but have been a couple of the best teams in the NFL over the past decade, and been a part of the most competitive/meaningful games in the past decade. after all, i dont really see many true "rivalries" in the NFL anymore

[CorvusCorax]

For a Quarterback rivalry yes. However, a game rivalry no. Certainly not the rivalry of the decade.

There are better rivalry games out there that aren't really heard of. Examples: Giants and Cowboys, Pats and Dolphins. Basically the AFC and NFC East game matchups. Let's not forget our own rivalry against the Steelers.

[Child Of Humanity]

I too feel the Ravens Steelers rivalry is much bigger than any in the league. Every game they play seems to have playoff implications and it is always a physical and fun game to watch. That is when it is shown in my market.

[quote name='STEELERS PROPHET268' date='17 November 2009 - 09:55 AM' timestamp='1258469718' post='284433']
im sorry but i dont agree that the players feel as much fire as the players in a steelers-ravens game

the only thing colts-pats has that steelers-ravens doesnt is offensive superpower

but steelers-ravens is the defensive version of colts-pats

and we play twice a year(sometimes 3).....for longer than 8 years

but the majority of viewers like offense better....so the media dubs this the rivalry of the decade
[/quote]

[SteelersProphet]

[quote name='Child Of Humanity' date='18 November 2009 - 01:01 PM' timestamp='1258567264' post='285790']
I too feel the Ravens Steelers rivalry is much bigger than any in the league. Every game they play seems to have playoff implications and it is always a physical and fun game to watch. That is when it is shown in my market.
[/quote]

ive always thought of the steelers and the ravens as very similar teams.....and because they were so similar it made it my favorite rivalry game

but i have to say, after your team went blow for blow... field goal for field goal with my team

im really looking forward to the next matchup

[flynismo]

IMO it doesn't even meet the criteria of a true football rivalry. For me, the requirements are:

1. both teams in the same division.
2. "hatred" for each other.
3. both teams are fairly close talent-wise each year.
4. THE two games, not two of the games, that fans circle on their calendars each year.
5. Some sense of tradition or history between the two teams.

When I think about it, there are surprisingly few rivalries in the league. There are:

- GB and MIN
- DAL and WAS
- CHI and GB/MIN
- BAL and PIT (the youngest rivalry)

and a couple others that I'm too lazy atm to think of and type.

Bias aside, I do feel that our rivalry against Pit is the best, because the intensity of those games are unmatched in the entire league, the results of those games usually have an impact on the playoff picture, and up until this season anyway, our teams have been regarded head and shoulders above all others as defensive powerhouses.
Going to a Ravens/Steelers game always feels like I'm going to see a fight, probably how it felt back in ancient times when people went to watch the gladiators go to war with each other. THAT is a rivalry.

NE verse Indy is just the league/media hyping up things. And I'll be honest, I buy into the hype. They are two amazing teams. It's our generation's version of watching Montana verse Marino every year or so.

But again, bias aside, I think the BAL/PIT rivalry is best in the league.

[Child Of Humanity]

Oh come on now! Your congering up memories of 2005 in my mind now. Just could not let me enjoy the here and now could ya?


[quote name='STEELERS PROPHET268' date='18 November 2009 - 01:10 PM' timestamp='1258567844' post='285795']
ive always thought of the steelers and the ravens as very similar teams.....and because they were so similar it made it my favorite rivalry game

but i have to say, after your team went blow for blow... field goal for field goal with my team

im really looking forward to the next matchup
[/quote]

[SteelersProphet]

[quote name='Child Of Humanity' date='18 November 2009 - 02:27 PM' timestamp='1258572472' post='285889']
Oh come on now! Your congering up memories of 2005 in my mind now. Just could not let me enjoy the here and now could ya?
[/quote]

lol yea but this year i want them to beat the bengals with palmer in the playoffs......beating kitna isnt the same