Pot, kettle. Kettle, pot

ri·val·ry  (rvl-r)

n. pl. ri·val·ries

1. The act of competing or emulating.

2. The state or condition of being a rival

There was an article recently proclaiming how the Jets-Patriots are not a rivalry, mainly because the Jets haven't won anything. This is a true statement. There cannot be a rivalry unless both sides are legitimately good in their field, and can back this thought up in some way. For instance, even though LeBron went to the Heat, the Cleveland Cavaliers cannot consider them a rival because the Cavs are terrible while the Heat are really good.

As such, it is amusing that this article exists, and that it was written in a New York newspaper. After all, they know what it is like to have someone proclaim a rivalry without anything to back it up. They had the same thing happen in baseball for eighty six years. Red Sox fans proclaimed the Yankees as their rivals, yet could only base this on geography. The results from 1918 until 2004 would mean that their closest rival should have been the Chicago White Sox, given the futility and lack of championships.

In fact, Jets-Patriots have a lot in common with Sox-Yankees. Both have had vastly overrated players (Joe Namath, Tony Conigliaro). Both have, and had, egotistical drama queens (Brett Favre, Rex Ryan, Roger Clemens, Jonathon Papelbon). Both have iconic players (Namath again, Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, Tom Brady). And half have been able to be considered dynasties (Yankees and Patriots). Meanwhile, fans of the other teams (Jets and Red Sox) proclaim a rivalry without anything to truly back up the claims.

For the vast majority of their history, neither the Sox nor the Jets have won anything. They have not even been in a position to call themselves competitive with their self-appointed rivals. In fact, to Yankee fans, the Sox were that 'other team in the East' until 2004. In 2004, with an epic comeback, the Red Sox and Yankees could officially have a rivalry. Two teams, both competitive at the same time, both winning championships.

The Jets have a chance to be able to legitimately have a rivalry with the Patriots this season. It begins with their game this Sunday at 4:30 pm. If the Jets win, and manage to go on to win a championship, then they can consider themselves truly rivals. Otherwise, if the Patriots win, they go back to being ignored by Patriot fans and are relegated to being that 'other team'.