Ravens vs. Steelers and The Five Best Rivalries In The NFL Today

The Baltimore Ravens face the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday night in a classic AFC North battle that could go a long way in deciding the seeding in the AFC playoff picture.

However, this is only one of the major rivalries in the NFL. I believe there are a handful of rivalries in the league today that are worthy of the national recognition.

Here is the list of the top five current rivalries in the NFL today.

Matt Miselis is an NFL and Ravens Featured Columnist for BleacherReport.com.

Follow me on twitter: twitter.com/MattMiselis.

Honorable Mentions

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 17: Brandon Meriweather #31 of the New England Patriots collides with Todd Heap #86 of the Baltimore Ravens after Heap was hit by Jerod Mayo #51, also of the Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 17, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

Here are the rivalries that missed the cut:

Baltimore Ravens/Pittsburgh Steelers vs New England Patriots

Oakland Raiders vs Kansas City Chiefs

Baltimore Ravens vs Indianapolis Colts

Giants/Eagles vs Washington Redskins

New York Giants vs Philadelphia Eagles

5. New England Patriots Vs New York Jets

Al Bello/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 19: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots in action against the New York Jets during their game on September 19, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The New England Patriots-New York Jets rivalry is beginning a new chapter in its 50+ year history.

The classic rivalry is becoming one of the more notable ones in the league now with the emergence of the Jets as a franchise and the continued success of the Patriots.

This is one of the few rivalries that involves hatred between the players themselves. Tom Brady and Rex Ryan are among the many people that stir the pot with their respectable media markets.

Besides, both of these teams are in two of the biggest markets in the world. The history between the Red Sox and the Yankees is carrying over to this one.

If both of these teams met in the playoffs, however, a better case could be made for this rivalry right now.

4. Dallas Cowboys Vs New York Giants

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 14: Marion Barber #24 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball past Osi Umenyiora #72 of the New York Giants on November 14, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Cowboys defeated the Giants 33-

The NFC East has always been filled with plenty of famous rivalries. However, the Dallas Cowboys-New York Giants rivalry is currently one of the more intense rivalries in the league to date.

Both of these NFC East foes have seen each other plenty of times in both the regular season and the playoffs. In recent years, the New York Giants ended the Cowboys' Super Bowl hopes in Dallas on their way to a Super Bowl title.

The fans also have a dislike for each other as well, as these fan bases are two of the biggest in the country to date.

Despite the Cowboys' struggles in 2010, look for this rivalry to be one of the best the league has for years to come.

3. Chicago Bears Vs Green Bay Packers

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 27: Linebackers Clay Matthews #52 and A.J. Wahk #50 of the Green Bay Packers defend against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 27, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Chicago Bears-Green Bay Packers rivalry is arguably the best in the league when at its best.

Both of these teams are division rivals who are used to playing each other in the coldest climates in late December-early January.

In 2010, another classic chapter in his rivalry seems likely as both teams fight for top seeding in the NFC race.

With the fall of Brett Favre of the Vikings and the rising play of Jay Cutler, it seems likely the Packers and the Bears will be the kings of the NFC North as their rivalry begins to garner more recognition once again.

2. Indianapolis Colts Vs New England Patriots

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 21: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots shakes hands with Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts after their game at Gillette Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

The classic rivalry between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning makes the Patriots-Colts rivalry arguably the best in football.

The NFL has made sure the rivalry continues to have success by pinning both of these Hall of Fame quarterbacks against each other.

Brady and Manning have not only played in class battles in the regular season but the post-season as well. Each quarterback has gone through each other on their way to a Super Bowl title.

As long as these quarterbacks continue to play at a high level, the Colts-Patriots matchup will always be one of the more anticipated matchups on every regular season schedule.

1. Baltimore Ravens Vs Pittsburgh Steelers

Larry French/Getty Images

BALTIMORE - NOVEMBER 29: Dennis Dixon #2 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on November 29, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Steelers 20-17. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

The rivalry between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers is the best in the league to date.

These AFC North foes have dominated the AFC North the past decade, having won the majority of the division championships.

Two years ago, these teams met in the AFC Championship Game, with the Steelers earning the victory on their way to the Super Bowl.

However, the physicality of both teams sets them apart from any other rivalry. Despite the new rules being implemented by the NFL, the hard hitting between these two teams won't stop.

Hatred is at its highest between each teams, with players such as Hines Ward and Ray Lewis among others hating the respectable opponent.

The Ravens-Steelers is a classic football game that fans all over the country can endure.