10 Sports Rivalries Poised to Gain Steam
Some sports rivalries never go out of style, prompting fans of each side to circle the calendar for each anticipated matchup. Most feuds, however, need the right timing to truly flourish.
The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox will always receive attention, even when one is far removed from MLB's playoff picture. The Michigan Wolverines vs. Ohio State Buckeyes will always matter in college football, and college basketball supporters will get pumped any time the Duke Blue Devils face the North Carolina Tar heels.
Legacy rivalries provide a steady foundation for readily available drama, but most pairings need the proper circumstances to prosper in that moment. The Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers would have topped a rivalry ranking two years ago. Now their games are insignificant blowouts.
These feuds don't all tap into a rich history of conflict. As a result of never succeeding at the same time, some are just beginning to brew. Yet they stand out as monumental matchups because of the current and future implications.
Some clashes, on the other hand, borrow from a past tapestry to augment the stakes. All 10 of them are rivalries to watch.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
1 of 10
Once football's hottest feud, the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers lost steam over the years. That will change as they close the season marred in a two-team battle for the AFC North.
Both teams are tied at 6-5, and the 3-7-1 Cincinnati Bengals look down for the count without A.J. Green. After sharing the spotlight with them over the past five years, it's back to the Steelers and Ravens.
From 2008-2011, both adversaries closed each season with a winning record. Pittsburgh won both playoff matchups, but the prestigious clubs have since experienced erratic results. They again both earned postseason nods in 2014, when the Ravens won in the Wild Card Round. Their momentum abruptly halted when they went 5-11 last year.
This season, only one is likely to advance beyond the regular season. The winner may boil down to Week 16's head-to-head showdown on Christmas Day, a huge game that should rekindle their stalled animosity.
Neither team is particularly potent—Baltimore is tied with the Jacksonville Jaguars for No. 23 in offense, and Pittsburgh ranks No. 18 in team defense—but one will get a chance to earn another Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues
2 of 10
One of the NHL's richest rivalries is escalating to an even higher crescendo as the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues top the Western Conference.
The long-time division cohorts have both made the Stanley Cup playoffs in each of the past five seasons, and they met twice during that window. Chicago claimed the first-round series in 2014, but St. Louis returned the favor by winning the opening series in seven games.
Now the Blackhawks and Blues top the West with 35 and 31 points, respectively. While Chicago has played above its metrics, St. Louis ranks No. 3 behind the Boston Bruins and Los Angeles Kings in shot-attempt percentage, per NHL.com.
They have split their two regular-season encounters, with Artemi Panarin avenging a 5-2 Blackhawks loss by scoring a game-winner 25 seconds into overtime Nov. 9. Over one-quarter into the 2016-17 season, both teams are poised to return to the postseason, where their paths could once again cross.
Novak Djokovic vs. Andy Murray
3 of 10
First there was Pete Sampras vs. Andre Agassi. Then Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal, and both of them against Novak Djokovic. Now Djokovic will clash with Andy Murray for the men's tennis throne.
As a result of Federer and Nadal suffering injury setbacks in 2016, a window opened for Murray to escape their shadows and climb up the rankings. Observers anticipated him reclining into the No. 2 spot, but he instead leapfrogged Djokovic and rose to No. 1.
In what Murray described as the "perfect ending," per CNN's Henry Young, he defeated Djokovic on Nov. 20 to win the ATP Finals and preserve his newly earned top spot. After the loss, his close friend offered a classy congratulations on the court, per Young.
"Today we were both part of history," Djokovic said. "It was an honor to be on the court and part of the big occasion. Andy's definitely No. 1 in the world. He's the best player and definitely deserved to win."
The Serbian star had once taken 17 of 19 head-to-head matches, but he and Murray have traded victories in their past four meetings. Closing the year on five straight tournament triumphs, the Scot's stock is rapidly rising.
Entering 2017, Djokovic vs. Murray takes the mantle as tennis' top feud.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Any NFC East Matchup
4 of 10
Take your pick of any combination. Any time two NFC East teams meet, fireworks are sure to follow.
This season, the New York Giants have defeated the Dallas Cowboys but lost to Washington. All three of those squads have defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, but only by seven points or fewer. In fact, every inner-division game this season has ended within a touchdown.
In last place at 5-6, the Philadelphia Eagles have the toughest path ahead to playoff contention. Yet they wield the NFC's third-best point differential (plus-41) and rank third in Football Outsiders' Defense-adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA) behind the same two teams above them in scoring margin (Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons).
Josh Norman has raised NFC East tensions by developing contentious relationships with star wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Dez Bryant. If the Eagles develop a top wideout, he'll probably feud with the Washington cornerback as well.
Philadelphia lacks an elite pass-catcher, but rookie quarterback Carson Wentz has exceeded first-year expectations even while falling back to earth. He has lost considerable ground on fellow newcomer Dak Prescott, but they'll get plenty of chances to fight for division supremacy over the years.
The NFC East has not graduated two teams to the postseason since 2009, when Dallas and Philadelphia both advanced at 11-5. This year, three are in line to make the playoffs, with Dallas leading the way as a top Super Bowl contender.
In order to win their first conference crown since 1995, the Cowboys may have to go through at least one division adversary.
Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar
5 of 10
After a 12-year hiatus, Goldberg returned to the WWE ring to surprisingly squash Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series. For Vince McMahon to choose that stunning outcome, the boss must have plans for an extended feud.
The former WCW icon promoted Nov. 20's match as his one last hurrah, but Goldberg has since announced his entry into January's Royal Rumble. With Lesnar confirmed to partake in the 30-man battle royal as well, their next encounter will almost certainly spur a WrestleMania rematch.
Before coming back, Goldberg beat Lesnar in his last appearance at WrestleMania XX. Knowing both performers were heading out the door—Lesnar pursued a short-lived NFL career before joining the UFC—fans booed throughout the underwhelming bout.
Due to his NCAA and UFC success, Lesnar's star power transcends the wrestling business. Goldberg, meanwhile, will bring back nostalgic fans who remember his massive WCW winning streak. WWE's biggest event of the year is the best venue to culminate a rivalry between two high-profile, old-school beasts.
Hardcore wrestling fans likely won't enjoy the match, but it will receive mainstream buzz and attention from casual followers.
Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers
6 of 10
Texas is big enough for the two of them, but that won't stop the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros from developing heat as a must-see American League West showdown.
For the first time since 1999, both Texas teams made the postseason in 2015, when the Rangers rallied to drop the Astros into a wild-card spot. The geographic rivalry gained a major boost when Houston moved from the National League Central in 2013, and it'll get even better with both squads harboring title aspirations.
"I don't know that both clubs have been at this level ever before at the same time," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels told ESPN.com's Jean-Jacques Taylor in early September. "When it matters to both teams, that's when it's really fun."
Despite the Astros' recent resurgence, the Rangers have won the division two straight times. That could change in 2017, especially if Sports Illustrated has anything to say about it. After 2015's progress stalled with a 84-78 2016 campaign, they're gearing up with a slew of early offseason moves.
Their offense now has more depth around the stellar young nucleus of Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, George Springer and newcomer Alex Bregman. Outfielder Josh Reddick signed a four-year deal after recording a .750 OPS last season, and they acquired veteran catcher Brian McCann from the New York Yankees.
The Rangers, meanwhile, will get a full season from Jonathan Lucroy, the All-Star catcher they landed from the Milwaukee Brewers before 2016's trade deadline. They have a stout young foundation of their own in Rougned Odor, Nomar Mazara, Jurickson Profar and Joey Gallo, so this feud may matter for a long time.
UCLA Bruins vs. USC Trojans (Basketball)
7 of 10
UCLA vs. USC is one of college's most storied sports rivalries, but their most notable battles have recently occurred on the gridiron. This year, both undefeated squads are poised to rekindle their basketball feud in grand fashion.
The Trojans snapped a six-game losing streak to the Bruins last year, winning all three of their encounters. They're building on that progress this season, starting 7-0 with six players wielding double-digit scoring averages.
While it remains unranked due to a fortuitous schedule, exploiting inferior opponents is a step up for USC, which entered the season 83-98 since the Pac-10 expanded to the Pac-12. The school has also triumphed by 15.7 points per game.
The No. 11 Bruins are also better than last season, soaring to an 8-0 start behind freshmen Lonzo Ball and TJ Leaf. Their dynamic offense has registered 97.0 points per game with a NCAA Division I-best 24.8 assists per contest.
With both prestigious schools once again headlining the Pac-12, their two matchups on Jan. 25 and Feb. 18 will once again return to the center stage where they belong.
New York Mets vs. Washington Nationals
8 of 10
For the first time ever, the Washington Nationals and New York Mets both made the playoffs in 2016. After spending two seasons fighting for National League East supremacy, they're once again slated to compete for the division crown next year.
A popular World Series pick in 2015, the Nationals unraveled down the stretch as the Mets simultaneously caught fire. With two series sweeps, including one buoyed by a six-run rally Sept. 8, the Mets stormed ahead.
Washington, however, gained vengeance by reclaiming first place from the reigning National League champions in 2016. Twisting the knife in New York's back, former Met Daniel Murphy led the way by batting .347/.390/.595 with a career-high 25 home runs, seven against his old club.
Imagine if the Nationals also poached Yoenis Cespedes. According to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal, they offered the Cuban outfielder a five-year deal after his late-season power barrage led the Mets to their pennant push. He instead stayed in Flushing, signing a three-year contract with a first-year opt-out.
After exercising that clause, he signed a four-year, $110 million deal to stay with the Mets once more, as first reported by Rosenthal. If their young pitching staff can stay healthy, they're set for another epic battle against Bryce Harper, Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and 2016 breakout star Trea Turner.
With the other NL East teams retooling, the division should again boil down to the Mets vs. Nationals. For all the star power and big-market buzz, this could boil into baseball's best rivalry.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Golden State Warriors
9 of 10
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors wrote a promising first chapter to their rivalry last summer, taking a thrilling Western Conference Finals series to seven games. Down 3-2, the Warriors survived, but the Thunder cemented their status as a major thorn in the conference champion's side.
Then Kevin Durant signed with the Warriors.
Had Durant stayed in Oklahoma City, they would be better equipped than anyone in the Western Conference to conquer the burgeoning powerhouse. It's now instead a one-sided personal feud.
Russell Westbrook's Thunder aren't a serious threat to Durant's Warriors, but another playoff collision would make for great theater. While the forward told Mercury News' Anthony Slater that he still considers the former teammate a brother, the feisty guard has not returned that sentiment.
Westbrook has instead taken odd, subtle jabs at his old partner, walking into their first head-to-head encounter wearing an "official photographer" vest to troll Durant's hobby. Even Instagram posts with cupcakes contain a thick, frosty layer of shade.
Until he puts the perceived vendetta to rest, how can anyone else? The tension between both NBA superstars makes every Warriors-Thunder matchup appointment viewing, but the new allegiances rob the rivalry of balance.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Golden State Warriors
10 of 10
Who said a team can only have one rival?
Before adding Durant, the Warriors developed an unhealthy relationship with the Los Angeles Clippers. The fun started when the Clippers won a seven-game series in 2014's opening round, prompting the Warriors to commence their dynasty by replacing head coach Mark Jackson with Steve Kerr.
Clippers head coach Doc Rivers has frequently antagonized Golden State. After his foes captured the 2015 championship, he attempted to put an asterisk on the accomplishment.
"You need luck in the West," Rivers told Zach Lowe of Grantland. "Look at Golden State. They didn't have to play us or the [San Antonio] Spurs."
Later in March, Clippers guard Dahntay Jones received a $10,000 fine for bumping Draymond Green during a postgame interview. A sarcastic Rivers questioned Green's fortitude, per ESPN.com's Arash Markazi.
"Wow, that was such a violent bump," Rivers said. "It was amazing. I told Dahntay, 'You have to be careful; that was too hard.' I guess that tough guy in Golden State—I think that bump was too hard for him, clearly the way he reacted, my goodness. I thought that guy was tough."
Green invoked the coach's seldom-used first name with his "Cool story, Glenn" reply.
Injuries prevented the Clippers from orchestrating another playoff showdown in 2016, but they're now healthy and determined to present the Warriors' biggest challenge. After clobbering the Cleveland Cavaliers Thursday night, they're 15-5 with the NBA's second-highest point differential.
In a possible dig at Golden State, Blake Griffin donned a Tune Squad jersey to fight the Monstars in a Jordan ad presenting the Space Jam villains as the "original super team." He'll hope to conquer the newest super team in what would make an enthralling Western Conference Finals clash.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
