The results of the poll do not surprise me. As we gear up for another Ravens campaign, Mike Duffy of the BaltimoreRavens.com NFL site ran a poll:
Besides the Steelers…what team is the Ravens’ next biggest rival—a team you want or need to beat more than any other on your schedule?
The overwhelming results: The Indianapolis Colts, as pictured here being led by you-know-who…
Ravens’ Biggest Non-Steelers Rival
- Indianapolis Colts (51%, 2,290 Votes)
- New England Patriots (22%, 982 Votes)
- New York Jets (15%, 676 Votes)
- Cincinnati Bengals (8%, 359 Votes)
- Cleveland Browns (4%, 187 Votes)
- Other (0%, 23 Votes)
Total Voters: 4,517
Presented by:
Baltimore Ravens.com and Miller Lite
Indianapolis Colts
All-Time Regular-Season Series: Indianapolis, 6-2
Last Three Regular-Season Matchups: The Colts have won each of the last three times they have faced the Ravens.
Notes: The memory of the Mayflower moving trucks leaving Charm City in the early 1980s still lingers in the minds of many, but for the more current Ravens fans, the sting of falling to the Colts in the 2006 and 2009 playoffs may burn hotter. The Ravens have not been able to solve the Peyton Manning puzzle in recent years, and they’ll likely have to do that in the seasons to come.
New England Patriots
All-Time Regular-Season Series: New England, 6-0
Last Three Regular-Season Matchups: Obviously, the Patriots have pitched a shutout against Baltimore.
Notes: Even though the Ravens have not been able to match the Pats in the regular season, a dominating victory in the 2009 playoffs was a major statement for Baltimore. With Bill Belichick at the helm and Tom Brady under center, the offensive/defensive chess match is always an entertaining game.
New York Jets
All-Time Regular-Season Series: Baltimore, 6-1
Last Three Regular-Season Matchups: The Ravens have won each of the last three regular-season meetings.
Notes: With bombastic former Ravens Defensive Coordinator Rex Ryan now leading the Jets, the back and forth between these two teams always provides some fireworks, especially now that Bart Scott and other former Ravens are in that locker room.
Cincinnati Bengals
All-Time Regular-Season Series: Baltimore, 16-14
Last Three Regular-Season Matchups: Baltimore beat the Bengals the last time they were both on the field, but Cincinnati won the two prior contests.
Notes: The Ravens and Bengals have gone back and forth over the years, with each team running off a few victories in a row before the other takes control. If the Bengals can put it all together, they offer another potential AFC North roadblock.
Cleveland Browns
All-Time Regular-Season Series: Baltimore, 17-7
Last Three Regular-Season Matchups: The Ravens are perfect in their last three meetings with Cleveland.
Notes: The Browns have fallen on hard times since conference realignment, but the feelings of resentment over the franchise relocating to Baltimore from Cleveland puts more shine on this rivalry.
I miss the rivalries the Ravens had with Tennessee and Jacksonville back in the good old days of the AFC Central. But the results of Mike Duffy’s poll speak to the needs of the present—and now we can say the future, as the new CBA is almost a done deal.
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