King Arthur Movie Tristan

If there is no football in 2011, I think we will miss these games the most...

5. New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons

This game is particulary fun due to the QB battle between Matty Ice and Drew Brees. It seemed like just a few years ago, however, that these two teams were at the bottom. The Falcons had just lost Michael Vick to prison and the Saints, being the unlucky franchise they were, still were playing very poorly. After an incredible offseason from both teams, this became a fierce rivalry. During its nine years of existense, the NFC South winner has either been the Saints or Falcons nearly half the time. I feel in 2011 that these two teams will not only be playing for their division, they could be playing for a chance at a Super Bowl. Both teams are built to win now and when they play against each other, its usually a primetime battle and a fun one to watch to say the least.

4. New England Patriots vs. New York Jets

Up until 2009 this was not a rivalry, it was a mismatch. The Patriots were usually the Super Bowl favorites while the Jets usually had some old QB at the helm (either Vinny Testaverde or Brett Favre). Now both teams have good enough talent and make their match-ups twice a year really fun to watch. New Engalnd has the wise duo of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, while the Jets have Rex Ryan's defensive genius and one of the great rushing attacks in the league (Ladainian Tomlinson & Shonn Green). In 2010, the teams split their mettings at home. Probably the most notable game these two teams played was a thrashing by the Patriots on Monday Night Football in Foxborough. Just when this rivarly couldn't get any better, the two met in the AFC Divisional Round. The Patriots were the #1 seed and highly favored, but the Jets were able to advance to their second straight AFC Championship Game. Now its the Patriots turn to strike revenge on the Jets in 2011 which will make both their matches a must watch.

3. Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants

This rivalry isn't just fierce among players, it is also fierce upon fans as well. I'm pretty sure that the Giants-Eagles matchups have had the most fights taken place at the stadiums then any other NFL game in the country. Not to mention the fierce baseball rivalry between the Yankees and Phillies, which just makes this game even more intense. What is probably the craziest thing about this rivalry is over the past 11 years, the Giants or Eagles have won the NFC East nine times. This matchup gave us one of the most memorable NFL games with the "Miracle at the Medowlands." In 2010 in New York, it gave us one of the greatest games of the season. With just a few seconds left, the Giants punted the ball to Desean Jackson (don't do that) and Jackson returned it for a touchdown to give the Eagles the 38-31 victory. The win eventually helped the Eagles to the NFC East title and the game was given the name "Miracle at the New Medowlans" by many fans and members of the media. Rivalries are all about revenge and I'm sure that New York wants to make Philly pay for the way they were humiliated.

2. Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers

This rivalry has withstood the test of time... no joke, its been around since 1921. All time, the Bears are 92-84-6 against the Packers. Despite having a pretty convincing record against Green Bay, the Packers have seemed to have the upper hand probably because of their consistency at QB. Chicago did trade for Jay Cutler just two years ago and now a fierce QB duel between Cutler and Aaron Rodgers can begin. In 2010, like any great divisional matchup, these two teams split the games at home. It was duely noted that the Bears are the ones who let the Packers into the playoffs after failing to beat them in week 17. The two teams then played in the NFC Championship game, where Cutler's injury controversy took place and the eventual Super Bowl Champion Packers won 21-14. I'm sure the Bears are going to want to prove the world that they haven't lost a step in 2011 and I'm pretty sure so will Cutler.

1. Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Even though the Ravens have only been around since 1996, this rivalry is always a physical defensive battle. The Steelers have their defense, led by Troy Polomalu and the Ravens have their defense, led by Ray Lewis. Offenses are nearly non-existent in these matchups. The Steelers lead this rivalry 18-12 during the regular season, but the games between the Steelers and Ravens in the postseason is extra special. Especially in 2009 when they played for the right to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. It was another defensive game between these two rivals, but Pittsburgh's defense was better and they won 23-14. In 2010, the Ravens beat the Rothlisberger-less Steelers in Pittsburgh and then the Steelers struck back in Baltimore to take control of the AFC North. In the playoffs, the Steelers beat the Ravens again, this time it was Pittsburgh's offense that helped them win 31-24. I'm sure that the Ravens want to wipe away that undefeated mark the Steelers have against them in the postseason, but first its a regular season matchup on November 6th.