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Ben Roethlisberger: 'Hatred' in Steelers-Eagles rivalry

Sunday's Philadelphia Eagles-Pittsburgh Steelers matchup isn't a normal non-conference game. It's two Pennsylvania rivals.

More importantly, it's one of the best teams in the NFL over the last decade trying to avoid a 1-3 record.

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"We definitely want to get back on track. But it's probably just as much Pittsburgh versus Philadelphia," Roethlisberger said, via The Beaver County Times. "It's not a division game. It's AFC versus NFC. But no matter what sport it is, it seems to be Pittsburgh versus Philly and a general hatred. That's what I've noticed since I moved here about Philadelphia."

Sunday is a swing game for the Steelers. Very few 1-3 teams make the playoffs. They are expected to get James Harrison, Troy Polamalu and Rashard Mendenhall back. Roethlisberger has been playing like an MVP candidate, but the team around him has looked soft.

We have to disagree with our colleague, Ian Rapoport. Steelers-Eagles is the second-best game of the weekend.

Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.