There are some cases where the traditional friction between two teams has a built in level of importance simply because the two inhabit the same division and every win or loss to each other affects the playoff possibilities of at least one of them. However, when one team in such a rivalry has a long spell of . . . suckation, these kinds of rivalries have limited meaning and are unimportant to a broader football audience.

Largely, rivalries only matter if they have immediate impact on both teams.

We can take Denver as an example.

The Denver vs Oakland rivalry is, for the time being, lame. Oakland is a laughingstock and only serves to pad Denver’s schedule. This will likely be the case for the next several years – or whatever time period is required for Al Davis to figure out that while Norv Turner is a nice guy and a convenient patsy, he’s a lousy head coach.

We can say something similar of the Denver vs San Diego rivalry — and to be honest, most Denver fans don’t get heated up over this one. Not even a little.

On the other hand, several more recent “rivals”actually have made a difference to Denver’s real and extended (or shortened) success.

Budding rivalry # 1 would be against Baltimore. Personally, I hate them anyway. Their head coach is a jerk – all be it the type of jerk you dislike a lot more when he’s on someone else’s team – and Ray Lewis is, well, let’s just say he’s too O.J. for my tastes.

Aside from my personal prejudices, though, the Ravens have been manhandling the Broncos for the past several seasons, even when Baltimore isn’t otherwise playing especially well and Denver seems to be. Considering that the two may spend the next several years vying on and off for the same playoff spot I’d have to say that this “rivalry” is more important to Denver’s success than are its rivalries with Oakland and Sand Diego.

Another new – and I hope growing – rivalry is Broncos vs Colts. I like this one more, because the battering is going on in both directions.

I mean, does it get any better than the games between these two teams during the ‘03 season and post season? Denver humiliates Indianapolis in week 16. Just two weeks later the Colts repay their debt, with interest, during the Wild Card Round of the playoffs.

Does anyone expect the next meeting of these two teams to be unemotional or unhyped? I don’t know about you, but just thinking about their next game has me on the edge of my seat.

Budding rivalry number three is against Miami. The Dolphins seem to have a leg up during the regular season, but Denver has the advantage when it really matters . . . in the playoffs.

A fourth rivalry could be developing between Denver and Green Bay – ok, I confess, this one is a stretch, but I like it. The Packers have easily won the last two regular season meetings. But those games have seen the Broncos resting several starters. When it came time to play a game that meant something to both clubs, Denver dominated and won their first SB in five attempts (to that point).

Sure, this is only taking a look at how rivalries are ebbing and flowing for one team, the Denver Broncos. My point is, ancient history can only infuse so much worth into any game. A rivalry is really only a rivalry when the two teams are pushing each other NOW.

I expect that most of you aren’t Denver fans. So head to the comments and pipe up with the worthless old rivalries and growing new ones for your team.