Some NFL fans are fortunate to have multiple teams in close proximity to each other and their fans typically have a deep hatred for the opposing team (i.e. NY Giants & Jets). So why doesn’t the NFL scheduling reflect this?! Most of these teams in similar regions are in opposing Conferences so either have to meet in the Superbowl or wait 3+ years to play a meaningful regular season game (sometimes pre-season “scrimmages” are scheduled yearly but they don’t count).

My suggestion: The NFL should have 1 week in the Regular season where all the “Regional Rivalries” play against each other. Sounds good on paper but there are some distinct Pros and Cons.

Pro: The fans would love to see these grudge matches, in person and on TV, EVERY year!

Con: Besides being a scheduling nightmare, not every team has another NFL franchise anywhere near their city (ex. Seattle)

So here are some “Regional Rivalries: (Sidenote: I’m loosely using the term “regional”. Typically, the teams are either in the same state or relatively close to one another)

Dec 24, 2011; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan greets New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs (27) after the game at Met Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via US PRESSWIRE

Matchup 1: New York Jets vs New York Giants

August 20, 2011; San Francisco, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders safety Michael Huff (24) tackles San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Braylon Edwards (81) during the first quarter at Candlestick Park. The 49ers defeated the Raiders 17-3. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-US PRESSWIRE

Matchup 2: San Francisco 49ers vs Oakland Raiders

Aug 25, 2011; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Lee Evans (83) makes a catch ion front of Washington Redskins defensive back Reggie Jones (29) during the second half at M

Matchup 3: Washington Redskins vs Baltimore Ravens

Aug 26, 2011; Kansas City, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams quarterback A.J. Feeley (4) throws a pass as Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Amon Gordon (64) defends in the first half of the game at Arrowhead Stadium. The Rams won 14-10. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-US PRESSWIRE

Matchup 4: St. Louis Rams vs Kansas City Chiefs

Sept 26, 2010; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans linebacker Zac Diles (54) tackles Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) during the second quarter at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-US PRESSWIRE

Matchup 5: Houston Texans vs Dallas Cowboys

Aug 18, 2011; Pittsburgh , PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers center Colin Miller (54) blocks against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half of the game at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-US PRESSWIRE

Matchup 6: Pittsburgh Steelers vs Philadelphia Eagles

Aug 27, 2011; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive lineman Michael Bennett (71) hits Miami Dolphins running back Reggie Bush (22) during a preseason game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Fernando Medina-US PRESSWIRE

Matchup 7: Tampa Bay Bucs vs Miami Dolphins

Nov 27, 2011; Cincinnati, OH, USA; A general view down the line of scrimmage as the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns line up during the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-US PRESSWIRE

Matchup 8: Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns (Yes, I know they already play yearly)

Dec. 25, 2011; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) greets Chicago Bears corner back Tim Jennings (26) after the Packers beat the Bears at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Bears 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-US PRESSWIRE

Matchup 9: Green Bay Packers vs Chicago Bears (Again, I know)

January 1, 2012; Foxboro, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Kyle Arrington (24) is tackled by Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller (28) after an interception during the fourth quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE

Matchup 10: Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots (Again…)

Now, those would be the 10 “Regional Rivalries” I would enjoy seeing every year!

The remaining 6 matchups are where it gets tricky. The remaining teams are: Jacksonville, Atlanta, San Diego, Arizona, Seattle, Denver, Detroit, Indianapolis, New Orleans, and Minnesota. Not sure which teams match up but some of the teams are sort of close to each other, like Jacksonville and Atlanta, but I’m not sure how excited fans would be for that matchup. Maybe a 6-team bye week? (Just throwing that out there)

Nevertheless, the NFL should at least CONSIDER making these matchups a yearly ritual! Especially so Redskins fans can finally fight for bragging rights over the Ravens! So let’s spread the word and hopefully the League takes note!

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Post By ~Kareem Shakoor

These are the keys to a Super Bowl victory for the New York Giants:

Brady could end up like Alex Smith two weeks ago - Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

Do what you’ve done all year; get to the passer. The New York Giants were tied for second in the NFL this season with 48 sacks on defense. New York was also tied for second in safeties this year, with two. They have four legitimate full-time starters on any other roster, but because they are all on the same team they rotate. They even have a “NASCAR” package where they put in all four speed guys at the same time (usually on 3rd and long). If the Giants can disrupt Brady in the pocket, they will have the chance to be successful in coverage and ultimately on offense with the extra possessions.

Eli tosses an interception versus the Redskins - CHRIS FAYTOK/THE STAR-LEDGER via US PRESSWIRE

Don’t turn the ball over, at all. The Giants offense cannot turn the ball over against New England. Even if the Patriots offense isn’t having it’s best day, New York can’t give them extra possessions. The Patriots can have great games against a good defense. See their first playoff game against Denver. (more…)

Ravens just can't seem to catch a break (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

What a game in Foxborough. Washington Redskins’ fans collectively rejoiced as former Cowboy’s kicker Billy Cundiff sailed a 32 yard field goal that would have tied the AFC Championship at 23-23 with 15 seconds left wide left. Cundiff and the Baltimore Ravens could have potentially avoided the entire last-second situation had quarterback Joe Flacco not thrown a crucial interception as the team was driving for the go-ahead score with 7:32 left in the game.

Most Washingtonians are pulling for a San Francisco vs. New England Super Bowl, simply for the fact that the Giants are NFC East foes and well..the Ravens represent everything that Redskins fans hate. Hate is a strong word, but fitting. Some people claim “dual-citizenship”, they believe because they live in Maryland they are entitled to support the Ravens and Redskins. These people are commonly referred to as “fair-weather fans”. (more…)