The National Football League has a long history. From its humble beginnings in the early 1900s to its current status as one of the most popular professional sports leagues in the world, the NFL has seen it all. And with such a long history comes some pretty big rivalries. In this blog, we will countdown the top-10 biggest NFL rivalries of all time. From divisional rivals to heated crosstown battles, these are the matchups that have defined the NFL for generations of fans. So whether you’re a diehard fan of one of these teams or just a casual observer, get ready to dive into some of the most intense rivalries in professional sports.
Packers vs. Bears
The Packers and Bears have one of the oldest and most storied rivalries in the NFL. The two teams have been playing each other since 1921, and the rivalry has only intensified over the years. The two teams have met each other 183 times, with the Packers holding a 93-92-6 edge in the all-time series.
The rivalry peaked in the 1980s when the two teams were among the best in the NFL. The Packers won Super Bowls I and II while the Bears won Super Bowl XX. The two teams also met in the NFC Championship game three times during that decade, with the Bears winning twice.
The rivalry has cooled off somewhat in recent years as the Packers have dominated the series, winning 15 of the last 16 meetings. However, there is still plenty of bad blood between these two historic rivals.
Cowboys vs. Redskins
The rivalry between the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins is one of the most storied in NFL history. The two teams have been division rivals since the NFC was created (1970) and they have played each other twice a year every year since then.
The Cowboys and Redskins have each won five Super Bowls, and the rivalry has been featured in some of the biggest games in NFL history. The most notable game between the two teams was the 1982 NFC Championship Game, which was won by the Redskins on a last-second field goal.
The rivalry between the Cowboys and Redskins is one of the most intense in all of sports, and it shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Chiefs vs. Raiders
In what is considered one of the most evenly matched and storied rivalries in the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders have been battling it out since 1960. The two teams have met a total of 148 times, with the Chiefs holding a slight edge with 73 wins to the Raiders’ 69.
The rivalry really took off in the 1970s when both teams were among the best in the AFC. The Chiefs won Super Bowl IV in 1970, while the Raiders won back-to-back titles in 1976 and 1977. The two teams, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Oakland Raiders, met in the AFC Championship game in 1974, with the Chiefs coming out on top 17-14.
The 1980s belonged to the Raiders, who won three Super Bowls during that decade. However, the Chiefs got their revenge by winning back-to-back championships in 2019 and 2020.
There is no love lost between these two teams, and their games are always a must-see on TV. So make sure you don’t miss any of their clashes this season!
Steelers vs. Browns
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns are two of the most iconic NFL franchises. They have a long history dating back to their days in the AFC Central, and their rivalry is one of the most storied in the league.
The Steelers and Browns have met a total of 157 times since their first meeting in 1950. The Steelers have won 84 of those meetings, while the Browns have won 67. The two teams have also tied six times.
The Steelers and Browns have been division rivals since 1970, when they were both members of the AFC Central. They have played each other twice a year since then, with the exception of 1999, when they only played once that year due to the scheduling conflict caused by theBrowns’ move to Baltimore.
The rivalry has been particularly heated in recent years, as both teams have been among the best in the NFL. The Steelers won Super Bowl XLIII over the Arizona Cardinals in 2009, while the Browns made it to the playoffs in 2002 and 2007.
In 2010, the rivalry reached new heights when Browns wide receiver Josh Cribbs returned a kickoff for a touchdown in overtime to give his team a 13-10 win over the Steelers. This was just one of many moments that has made this rivalry unique sports.
Colts vs. Patriots
The rivalry between the Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots is one of the most storied rivalries in NFL history. The two teams have played against each other in the playoffs multiple times, with the Patriots winning on most occasions. However, the Colts did win a Super Bowl against the Patriots in 2007.
Giants vs. Jets
The New York Jets and the New York Giants have been fierce rivals since they both joined the NFL in 1970. The two teams share a stadium, MetLife Stadium, and are both members of the NFC East division.
The rivalry between the Jets and the Giants is one of the most heated in the NFL. These two teams just have pure hatred each other. The fans are passionate about their team and want nothing more than to see their team come out on top against their biggest rival.
There have been some amazing games between these two teams over the years, with some memorable moments. Who can forget when Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez ran into the backside of his own offensive lineman and fumbled the ball away in a crucial moment of a game? Or when Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. caught a touchdown pass from Eli Manning that helped seal a victory against the Jets?
These moments are just a small section of what makes this rivalry so spectacular. Both teams have had their share of success against each other, but there is always that one game or one play that fans will remember forever.
Eagles vs. Cowboys
There are few NFL rivalries that can match the intensity of the Eagles and Cowboys. These two teams have been division rivals for over four decades and have played each other twice a year since 1960. The Eagles and Cowboys have met in some of the most memorable games in NFL history, including a Divisional Playoff game in 1980 that was won by the Eagles on a last-second field goal.
The rivalry between the Eagles and Cowboys is one of the most intense in all of sports. Both teams have passionate fanbases that absolutely despise each other. The hatred between these two fanbases is so strong that it has led to some ugly incidents, such as when an Eagles fan threw a snowball at Santa Claus during a Cowboys-Eagles game in 1968.
The on-field rivalry between the Eagles and Cowboys is just as intense as the off-field rivalry. These two teams have met in some thrilling games over the years, with each team having its share of big wins. TheCowboys currently hold a slight advantage in the all-time series, but there is no doubt that this rivalry is one of the best in sports.
Ravens vs. Steelers
The rivalry between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers is one of the most heated in the NFL. These two teams have been division rivals since 1996, and they have developed pure hatred for each other. The Ravens and Steelers have met in the playoffs six times, with the Ravens winning three of those games.
This rivalry is so intense because these two teams are so evenly matched. They both have dominant defenses, and their offenses are explosive. They also share a similar fan base, as both cities are passionate about their football teams.
The Ravens-Steelers rivalry is one of the best in the NFL, and it should be must-see TV for any football fan.
49ers vs. Rams
When it comes to NFL rivalries, there are few that are as big or as bitter as the one between the ers and Rams. These two teams have been battling it out on the gridiron for nearly 80 years, and there is no love lost between them.
The ers and Rams first met way back in 1937, when the Rams were still based in Cleveland. The two teams have played each other back-to-back every year from 1937-1941, with the ers winning three of those five matchups. However, the true rivalry didn’t start until 1950, when the Rams relocated to Los Angeles.
Since then, these two teams have met 164 times, with the ers holding a 85-79-0 advantage. However, it’s the Rams who have had more success in recent years, winning 14 of the last 20 meetings between these two hated rivals.
One of the most memorable moments in this rivalry came back in 1989, when Eric Dickerson set an NFL single-season rushing record by running for 2,105 yards. That record stood for almost 30 years before it was finally broken by Adrian Peterson in 2012.
No matter how many times these two teams meet on the field, there is always going to be hatred between them. This is one rivalry that is sure to continue for many years to come.
Falcons vs Saints
Recently, NFC South has been one of the most competitive divisions in football. The battle for hierarchy between the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints is one of the most intense rivalries in the NFL.
Since they were both founded in 1967, the Falcons and the Saints have met twice a year. In that time, they’ve developed a healthy dislike for each other. The Falcons and Saints have both enjoyed periods of success, but neither team has been able to dominate the rivalry.
The Falcons and Saints have played some classic games over the years. The Saints came back from a 21-point deficit to win in overtime in 2006. In 2012, the Falcons blew a late lead and lost on a last-second field goal by Garrett Hartley.
The rivalry was extremely intense in 2017 when the two teams met in the NFC Championship Game. The Falcons blew a 28-3 lead and lost to the Saints in overtime. That defeat still stings for Atlanta fans, and it’s sure to add even more fuel to this rivalry going forward.