Is the Philadelphia-New England rivalry as old as the country itself?
With Super Bowl LII nearing, the tension between the two cities has been high, but on "Saturday Night Live" the rivalry dates back to the Revolutionary War era. In the skit, set in 1775 as the 13 colonies met to discuss the revolutionary crisis, the two cities brought the heat about each other, slamming their ability to win.
There was a collective groan from the men meeting about the war after it was announced that the British were defeated in New England.
"Now we have to hear the boasting from the Patriots of New England," Beck Bennett said while rolling his eyes.
"SNL" alumnus Rachel Dratch and guest host Natalie Portman led the Boston delegation. Dratch and Portman both went to college in New England; Dratch was born and raised in Massachusetts.
"We are the Patriots of New England and we are unstoppable," Dratch said.
"Dynasty, that's the word you're looking for, dynasty," Portman said.
U.S. & World
The Boston clan boasted about their captain "with the best cannon": Thomas Brady.
"It's always lovely to hear another story about Thomas Brady," Bennett said while rolling his eyes again. "But I'm sure others would fight just as bravely if given the chance."
Cue the Philadelphia delegation. Tina Fey also returned to the show to represent Philadelphia with Kenan Thompson and Mikey Day. Fey is a Philly native.
"So grease up them poles, because Philly's gonna win and then one of these guys is gonna punch a police horse," she said.
Bennett is skeptical about their ability to win, since they don't have the same record of success as New England.
"Well that was then, this is now, call us the Eagles 'cause we're ready to fly," Fey said.
Fey called Brady old -- so old, he was four years past life expectancy (in 1775), and said Boston isn't a real city but "a college town with a fishing pier."
"Talk to us when you win one, numbnuts," Dratch shot back.
After squabbling some more, the two parties took it outside.
"They are the worst -- is there any way they can both lose?" Bennett wondered.
You can watch the Philadelphia Eagles take on the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII on Feb. 4, 2018, on NBC at 6:30 p.m. ET.
