John Madden said on Wednesday that NFL ratings are down because “there aren’t enough good teams.” I agree somewhat — but I’d say it’s because there aren’t enough good rivalries. Patriots-Jets? One of those teams isn’t holding up their end. Packers-Bears or Packers-Vikings? All of those teams are leaking oil, big time.
Rams-49ers? Seahawks-49ers? Only one of those teams doesn’t suck. Even Falcons-Saints isn’t showing much allure.
About the only real NFL rivalry that’s hot right now is Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Indigenous People. And that’s being fueled right now by Dez Bryant and Josh Norman.