The Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers meet Sunday in the Battle for Pennsylvania.
Cue the collective yawn.
It's not that it shouldn't be a good game; both teams have had impressive performances. The Steelers (2-0) come in riding Willie Parker but have questions about Ben Roethlisberger's shoulder. The Birds' offense has been explosive, but the defense and special teams got exposed badly in Dallas.
But Monday night's masterpiece has made this week's game almost anticlimactic.
Think about this for a second: The Eagles-Cowboys game was the highest-rated cable program in history. It was the second-highest scoring Monday Night Football game in that franchise's history. And the first half saw the most points scored in a half on MNF.
It was a classic battle between two of the biggest rivals in football.
It had T.O. It had DeSean's bonehead play. It had Super Bowl-caliber hype, and it actually did more than live up to it. It surpassed all expectations. Well, except for the whole Eagles losing thing.
And this weekend?
Well, unless you live in the central parts of the state, where large contingents of fans of both teams coexist—however tenuous it may be—this rivalry has never really done much for me.
Granted, I'm writing from nowhere near Pennsylvania these days, so the vibe may be different back home. But with the two teams in different conferences, it's hard to build up the hatred you get for an NFC East team.
Philly-Pittsburgh is more of a hockey rivalry. Especially now. Flyers fans were already developing a healthy distaste for poster boy Sidney Crosby. Add to that the crushing playoff loss last season to the Penguins, and you have all the makings of a nasty little intrastate feud, bringing back glorious memories of old Patrick Division scraps.
But take an AFC team, even if it's one from inside the state, and it's hard for Eagles fans to get a good fervor going.
At least until the tailgating starts.
12 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment
Patrick Wall 9 months ago
It has the makings of a good game, for sure. But I agree, anyone expecting anything close to Monday night is going to be sorely disappointed.
On a side note, if the Eagles want to prove that they really have what it takes to be Super, they need to win.
Edit Comment Cancel
Mark Jones 9 months ago
Eagles will destroy em'!
Yeah, so what, I'm in North Carolina.
Edit Comment Cancel
Christopher Thornton 9 months ago
Getting all the rivalries out of the way as soon as possible, eh?
Another nice article, man.
Edit Comment Cancel
Ellen Smith 9 months ago
Been a Steelers fan all my life...had no idea a rivalry even existed! Is it somehow linked back to the days of the "Steegles" and all the team shifting back then? Well anyhow, I am looking forward to a good game. It will be interesting to see if my Steelers' defense can shut down Dovovan and Westbrook.
Edit Comment Cancel
Kyle Latimer 9 months ago
Its going to be the 2nd best game this week
Edit Comment Cancel
Bruce Dickenson 9 months ago
I think it will be an awesome game. I'm not an Eagles or Steelers fan, but I like both teams. I think they are both teams with passionate fans and rosters full of good players both on and off the field. I will be in Philly on business and I'm actually excited to see what the emotion will be like.
Edit Comment Cancel
humphreys tim 9 months ago
well, you're right. it's not going to look like last monday night's game because one of the teams playing in this one actually has a great defense. sorry arena football fans, you're going to have to sit through 3.5 hours of real football -- you know, the kind that wins championships. i look forward to a good game, not that crap i had to turn off last monday night that gave me cause to think that even i could become a defensive coordinator in the nfl should teaching not work out for me.
good luck to my steelers and let's everyone get out healthy for both sides.
Edit Comment Cancel
Ron Glover 9 months ago
It's foolish to expect every game to be like Monday Night. Personally, I'd rather see a low-scoring hard hitting game.
Edit Comment Cancel
Zack Christman 9 months ago
Anyone who has been in State College PA for past games knows what this is all about. Real fights (sad to say) have broken out over this...
Edit Comment Cancel
Mark Burwell 9 months ago
The NFC East is the toughtest division in football. The Eagles should crush the steelers. When the eagles get reggie brown back and kevin curtis, they will be a force to be reckoned with. deshaun jackson needs glasses, he couldn't see the endzone if he were standing in it.
Go Eagles!
Edit Comment Cancel
Bryn Swartz 9 months ago
I liked your style of writing but I totally disagree. This could easily be a Super Bowl preview. Games don't have to be division rivalries just to be interesting. Philly-Pittsburgh is the equivalent of Dallas-Indianapolis...except Philly-Pittsburgh is in the same state. I failed to see the point of your article.
Edit Comment Cancel
Edward Degtyaryov 9 months ago
Nice article. I think Philadelphia will win. I wrote this about the game: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/59870-steelers-eagles-a-9-year-old-previews-sundays-game
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.