Dan Pompei

In the NFL, there are games, and then there are rivalry games. In the latter, there are added elements of drama and contempt. Games like the Steelers versus the Bengals this Sunday are inherently more entertaining because of the enmity built up between the participants.

What makes a rivalry?

Familiarity
The more teams know each other, the more they want to beat the other, as a rule. That's why most rivalries are between teams in the same divisions.

The oldest rivalry in the NFL may be the best. The Bears and Packers have played one another 168 times in a rivalry that began in 1921. It says something that in all those meetings, only ten games separate the teams. The Bears have won 89 times; the Packers 79. The rivalry has been defined by its unpredictability. The best team does not always win.

The Cowboys and Redskins started detesting each other since 1960 when the Cowboys selected Redskins Pro Bowl quarterback Eddie LeBaron in the expansion draft.

When the Chiefs and Raiders play, they are carrying the banners of Chiefs and Raiders teams of yesteryear. The Chiefs can never forget how the Raiders stole one from them in 1970. The Chiefs were leading 17-14 late in the fourth quarter and were trying to run out the clock when Raiders defensive end Ben Davidson speared Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson after Dawson had run for a first down. Chiefs receiver Otis Taylor then pushed Davidson, so both Davidson and Taylor were penalized and the play was nullified. The Chiefs were forced to punt and the Raiders subsequently tied the game, which helped them win the AFC West.

Geographic proximity

Special feature Ranking the NFL’s all-time teams

New Jersey is a battleground between Eagles fans and Giants fans. Having two teams a little more than an hour apart raises the intensity of their rivalry.

Only two hours separate Pittsburgh from Cleveland, so passions run deep when the Steelers and Browns meet. Steelers fans typically try to invade Browns Stadium when the teams meet in Cleveland.

Battles for dominance
These days, there is something special about a Colts-Patriots game. They have been regarded as two of the best teams in football for several years, and it seems like every time they play is memorable. Theirs is the most interesting rivalry in the NFL at the moment.

Special feature AFC's best creeping up on Cowboys, Giants

It's a similar rivalry to the Cowboys-49ers rivalries in the 1990s, when one of the two always seemed to be the best team in the NFL.

For a rivalry to retain its edge, both teams have to be competitive and somewhat evenly matched. One sided rivalries don't stir much emotion.

Individual grudges
Nothing spices up a rivalry more than a vendetta. Every time the Raiders and Broncos have played over the last 13 years, Mike Shanahan gets another chance to kick Raiders owner Al Davis, who allegedly tried to shaft Shanahan out of money when Davis fired Shanahan as coach of the Raiders. And Shanahan has done a lot of kicking, as his Broncos have gone 20-5 against the Raiders.

The greatest grudge ever may have been by Paul Brown, who, after being fired by the Browns, started the Bengals. To this day the Bengals remain property of Brown's heirs.

MORE FROM NFL

NFL Section Front

Romo has broken pinkie, could be out 4 weeks Rotoworld: What does injury mean for fantasy?   Manning had 2 knee surgeries before season Bengals won't have Palmer for 1 more game Wild finishes reaffirm anything's possible Opinion: Saints may be NFC's most dangerous team   Video: Too much ado about Dallas? Curran: Jags set up perfectly for rest, second-half run   Jags' Jones to enter drug treatment program   Video: Broncos have to improve their defense — soon NFL Section Front   Add NFL headlines to your news reader: