Jeff Legwold Reveals Denver Broncos’ No. 1 Rival
By Tylor Walden
Broncos Offseason: ESPN’s NFL Nation reporters have picked the No. 1 current rival for every NFL team. Jeff Legwold’s decision may surprise some long time Denver Broncos fans.
What makes a rival in the NFL? In my opinion, what makes a rival has three different factors. The amount of times the teams play, the history, and the intensity.
For example, a friend and I were discussing the other day about the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox rivalry. The two teams can be the worst teams in MLB and the three or four game series they play that weekend will intensify beyond comprehension. These two teams cannot stand each other, and neither do the fans.
The reason… The times they play, the history, and the intensity. And the NFL can be that way as well with the Steelers-Ravens, Packers-Bears, and Cowboys-Eagles.
With that said, the NFL Nation writers over at ESPN have decided on a No. 1 rival for all 32 teams. Jeff Legwold was responsible for choosing a rival for the Broncos. While he does point out rivalries against the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders, the team he chose for his No. 1 rivalry for the Denver Broncos?
The New England Patriots.
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For long time Denver Broncos fans, this may come as a bit of a surprise. I know for me, I was expecting either the Chiefs or Raiders. But according to Legwold, the past eight years have seen Patriots fans stir the blood that is of Broncos fans the most out of everyone. And he does have a solid point.
Since 2008, the Broncos and Patriots have played each other 10 times, including three playoff matchups. Two of those playoff games have been for the chance to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. There is also no doubt that the rivalry took the next level when Peyton Manning came to Denver.
There is no doubt that this rivalry has all three aspects, especially as of late with the number of times that they have played, the intensity, and the history of these teams as the first AFL teams. But I honestly believe that the Chiefs or Raiders earn that credential of being the Denver Broncos No. 1 rivals.
If I had to choose one team, it would have to be the Oakland Raiders. The history, the intensity, the rivalry. While it died off up until last year when the Raiders beat the Broncos at home, I honestly can say that I would not be surprise if this rivalry re-sparks and becomes something again.
Raiders fans have called us “Donkey’s” and there is speculation that the team from Oakland is perhaps “the biggest threat to the Broncos for the division title.” I will admit that they are getting better and they could surprise some teams. But this is why the games are played on the field and not on paper.
So, while the Patriots have the distinct honor of being a big rival for the Broncos, I think the Raiders or Chiefs honestly deserve it. The Patriots-Broncos rivalry could also die off with Manning’s retirement. We will know for sure on December 18th, 2016.