Taking a look at the past and tying it into the present
Rivalry is defined as ”competition for the same objective or superiority in the same field.” In sports, teams and fans claim rivalries based on wins , losses, envy, and location. The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox have traded blows since the 1900’s. Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali forged a boxing rivalry that is hard to match. The Boston Celtics have remained blood rivals over time and eras.
The 49ers have their blood feuds. During the 90s, the Dallas Cowboys stood out as two titans at the top of the profession. Green Bay and Brett Favre led to a rivalry following Dallas.
The question I pose is: who are the 49ers’ current rivals, and can someone be considered a rival without winning a recent matchup?
Sure, there can be lapses in the win/loss record. For instance, Seattle barely lost to the 49ers during the “Legion of Boom” era. People considered them rivals, but it was very one-sided. Fast-forward to the present, and the 49ers don’t give up games to the Seahawks. At this point, Seattle isn’t a 49ers rival.
We can remember the battles between Steve Young and Troy Aikman during the 90s. The 49ers finished Dallas on the way to their fifth Super Bowl win and finally got rid of the team that tormented them. The current Cowboys can’t sniff a close victory against the 49ers. At this point, Dallas isn’t a 49ers rival.
You have to win games to create a rivalry. Beef can’t be one-sided. Dallas and Seattle are probably punching air thinking about facing the 49ers, but the 49ers know who owns those matchups.
If you think I’m not keeping the same energy, then allow me to retort. The Chiefs ARE NOT a 49ers rival. For the same reasons I previously stated. The Chiefs are 3-0 in their last three matchups, with two coming in the biggest game. A rivalry can’t be born until the other team wins one.
So who are the 49ers’ rivals? 49ers fans will always hate Dallas and Seattle, but that doesn’t make them rivals until they win a matchup or, in Dallas’ case, make a matchup competitive. Unfortunately, the Chiefs/49ers rivalry is one-sided.
The 49ers’ two main rivals are the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams. Let me explain. The Eagles and 49ers have traded blowout wins and plenty of trash talk. Yes, the Rams have only recently won one matchup against the 49ers. That game was the NFC Championship game. As long as the Rams have bragging rights over regular-season wins with the history between the two teams, that denotes a rivalry.
Don’t look now. There are two new contenders knocking on the door of a rivalry: The Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions. During the Aaron Rodgers era, the 49ers bested the Packers just about every time. The reason the Lions are thrown in the mix is based on the NFC title game, the improvements made over the offseason, and the talent and coaching.
Today’s rivals can become tomorrow’s afterthoughts. Today’s afterthoughts have a way of creeping up on you. I still contend you have to win a recent matchup to claim a rivalry.
What do you think? Are the Cowboys still a rival even though they have more podcasts than wins over the Niners? Is Seattle a rival even though Geno Smith doesn’t write back after each Niners win? Let us know in the comments.
Check out a full-length discussion about Willie Snead’s comments, rookie minicamp, and the 49ers’ real rivals.
About the Author: Insidethe49
