TomahawkFlop writes, “At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought.”

Instead of rambling, TRY THIS DUMMY: What drivel.

TomahawkFlop writes, “Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it.”

Get a clue. You read blog post replies. You don’t listen to them.

Facts remain. The NFL franchises of the Colts and Patriots have fielded teams thoughout the 2000s which have been rivals for the AFC Championship.

Don’t blame anyone but yourself because you don’t get professional sports and the meaning of words.

Oh how you amuse, TomahawkFlop.

Never mind, I’ll go do it myself.

The NFL franchises named the Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots are rivals.

In those seasons when those franchises field teams, which have chances to make the playoffs, those teams of those seasons only are rivals.

In the 2009-2010 season, if we believe that the teams of the Patriots and the Colts are going to make the playoffs, then the rivalry between the franchises and their fielded teams for this season is in play.

Although the league lets franchises keep the memorabilia and records of past teams, regardless in what cities those franchises fielded teams, the rivalry exists only between the Colts of Indianapolis and the Patriots of Greater Boston.

The Baltimore Colts do not exist and most NFL fans living in Baltimore cheer on the Ravens. Thus, trying to stretch this rivalry back to the days of the Colts of Baltimore is silly.

The purpose of the regular season is to earn a playoffs berth and settle seeding. Thus, before the season starts, all teams within their respective conferences stand as rivals.

Yet, as the season unfolds only a few teams rise to the top.

When those teams come from franchises that have fielded teams vying for the playoffs with great frequency, fans deem there to be a historical connection and thus a rivalry.

In short, these Patriots and these Colts are rivals and teams from their respective franchises have been rivals for the decade.

For those who want greater insight to the NFL, come into the Gridiron Grotto at [gridirongrotto.blogspot.com]

If you’re going to use the strict definition of rivalry, then I guess there aren’t any in team sports. If you’re going by what everyone else in the world considers a rivalry, then this most definitely is one.

P.S. Have you watched the Patriots these teams play the last three years? The Colts have had a better defense and the Patriots have had a better offense. Also, teams don’t need to be similar to have a rivalry.