I once read a line of thinking about "rivalries" that I agree with 100%......
With the advent of salary caps, free agency, and other "parity" measures, one of the aspects of the game that has been most effected is the demise of once-great rivalries.
Rivalries (Raiders-Chiefs, Cowboys-Skins, Packers-Vikings/Bears, Niners-Rams, Steelers-Raiders, etc.............) only matter when both teams are very good and actually playing for something that counts.
Used to be, a fan or not of either team, that a Steeler-Raider game was a BIG DEAL. Same thing with the Cowboys vs. Commanders for 20 years. The nation would stop everything to watch a game like that.
Now, with teams going from 3-13 one year, 11-5 the next, then back to 4-12 the following year, it's hard to get exited over a Packer-Viking match up like the old days. The AFC is on life-support with the Pats-Colts deal, but that's about it.
If the Bronco's were playing the Raiders in October back in the day, I would watch it from whistle-to-whistle. Now? C'mon..............how many of you would actually sit and watch and entire game in September between the Niners and the Rams? Honestly???
When franchise's were good and playoff caliber, over a looooong period of time, THAT was the bigger part of ANY historic rivalry. If your a fan of any one team, rivalries still count to YOU. Any Eagle, Giant or Commander game is a big deal to a Cowboy fan. Even a Niner game.
A big part of the great rivalries of our time was the QUALITY of Great teams sustained over long periods of time. Those days are long gone, as are any meaningful "rivalries", and thats a dog-gone shame IMO!!!
