Since the National Football League began in 1920, the biggest NFL rivalries have created some of the biggest games in American Sport.
Biggest NFL Rivalries
Many rivalries have been created because of geographical closeness, playing in the same division and even because of an argument over a song. Let’s take a look at the biggest NFL rivalries of all time.
Website | Linktree | Youtube | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Tiktok | Pinterest |
10. New England Patriots vs. New York Jets
The New England Patriots and New York Jets have had an intense rivalry since the 1960's. Although the two have been historically even, the Patriots have dominated the rivalry in recent times.
There's a history of coaches trading sides between both the Patriots and the Jets which has only further fuelled their disdain for each other.
New York was accused of tampering in order to sign Bill Parcells as head coach in 1997. Three years later Bill Belichick became head coach of the Jets, then signed for the Patriots just 24 hours later.
In 2007 Jets' coach and former Patriots assistant Eric Mangini then exposed New England's tactics of illegally videotaping New York's offensive and defensive signals, which forced the Patriots to forfeit their first round pick of the 2008 draft.
20 years ago today, Bill Belichick resigned as head coach of the Jets 24 hours after taking over for Bill Parcells.
Belichick reportedly wrote his resignation on a napkin before facing the media. He became Patriots head coach about three weeks later. pic.twitter.com/GJXDCSQdoG — B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) January 4, 2020
9. Las Vegas Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Sure, ever since the Oakland Raiders moved to Las Vegas the rivalry between the Raiders and Chiefs hasn't been as vicious, but it is still very much alive.
The hatred for these AFC West NFL rivals built up through the 60s and 70s as they often derailed each other's playoff hopes and the Chiefs are one of only a few teams to have a winning record over the Raiders.
In 2020 the Raiders, during their first season in Las Vegas, won at Arrowhead Stadium. It was the first time the Raiders won there since 2012 and celebrated by taking the team bus for a stadium tour victory lap, fuelling the rivalry once again.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns are separated by only 135 miles and the two teams have created one of the biggest NFL rivalries dating back to 1950.
Despite both teams having their own periods of dominance during the rivalry, it's the Pittsburgh Steelers who have had more wins.
In 2021 they met for only the third time in a play-off game with the Browns winning 48-37 at Heinz Field. It was Cleveland's first play-off win against Pittsburgh and first playoff win in 26 years.
7. Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings is one of the biggest NFL rivalries Ever since the Vikings became an NFL expansion franchise in 1961.
When Minnesota joined the league, fans in western Wisconsin suddenly had their loyalties divided, and both friends and families had suddenly split their allegiances between the two teams.
Games between the Packers and Vikings are one of the most important in the NFC and often determines the NFC North, as Minnesota has had more success against Green Bay compared to the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions
In case you don't understand the #Packers-Vikings rivalry, here is Aaron Rodgers after clinching NFC North title in Minneapolis: "It feels great to win it in this stadium where a couple of years ago I was jeered leaving the field after breaking my collarbone. Feels pretty good."
— Tom Oates (@TomOatesWSJ) December 24, 2019
6. Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders
The NFC East delivers one of the biggest NFL rivalries between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders. Both teams have dominated their division but their NFL rivalry began in 1958 over a song.
Washington was almost sold to Dallas oil tycoon Clint Murchison Jr. but owner George Preston Marshall backed out of the deal. Murchison Jr. wasn't happy and bought the rights to the music from the "Hail to the Redskins" fight song in retaliation.
Murchison Jr. held the rights to the song for ransom and threatened to prevent the use of it by Washington. Marshall was effectively "blackmailed" into voting to approve an NFL expansion franchise in Dallas, and a rivalry was born.
5. Washington Commanders vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Washington and Philadelphia are 135 miles apart and their head-to-head record has been remarkably close especially when you consider that the two have played out one of the biggest NFL rivalries since 1934.
Both teams have been historically successful in the NFL but it was the "Body Bag Game" in 1990 which took the rivalry to new heights
Pre-game, Eagles coach Buddy Ryan boasted that Washington players would "have to be carted off in body bags". They ended up knocking out nine Washington players, and both teams starting and backup quarterbacks would leave the field injured.
OTD 1990: "The Body Bag Game"
In one of NFL history's most barbarous games, the #Eagles punish Washington at The Vet, 28-14, as no less than nine Washington players are injured in this MNF affair. All-time NFL kick/punt returner Brian Mitchell is forced into emergency QB duty. https://t.co/ECvLudv9hF pic.twitter.com/uxttuFLEir — Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) November 12, 2020
4. Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles have one of the biggest NFL rivalries and have had a storied history against each other. The teams first met in 1960 and the rivalry intensified in the 80's.
In 1989 the infamous "Bounty Bowl' was played, a name coined after Jimmy Johnson had accused the Eagles of placing bounties on Cowboys players. When the teams met, Philadelphia fans began throwing objects at Cowboys players and coaches in light of Johnson's accusations.
A decade later in 1999 when the two met, Cowboys' three-time Super Bowl wide receiver Michael Irvin went down with what would be a career-ending injury. As trainers and paramedics strapped Irvin and stretchered him off the field, Eagles fans erupted with cheers.
I love that the Eagles-Cowboys rivalry is the most uncivil rivalry in the NFL..n maybe all of sports.. I don’t think I have ever seen 2 fan bases just absolutely hate each other and I’m here for it!
— Steven Michael Puga (@PUGA20) October 15, 2019
3. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens have one of the biggest NFL rivalries despite the fact it only began in 1996, following the Ravens joining the league.
Both sets of fan bases have built an intense hatred for one another which has only grown. Harrisburg - which is in Pennsylvania - is even considered an official secondary market for the Ravens.
Some of the best matchups have taken place in the rivalry with players like Ben Roethlisberger, Terrell Suggs, Ray Lewis and one of the best International NFL players of all time Hines Ward starring in games between the teams. .
In one of the craziest moments of the rivalry, Steelers' head coach Mike Tomlin interfered on a Baltimore kickoff return in 2013 which resulted in a $100,000.
Mike Tomlin on the Steelers-Ravens rivalry:
"This series is special because of the men that have played in it. Guys like Ben pit his skills against Suggs. Guys like Hines pit his skills against Ed Reed. You could go on and on and on. That's what makes this series what it is." pic.twitter.com/VtTQmGsGtO — Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) January 4, 2022
2. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Pittsburgh Steelers are at it again with the second biggest NFL rivalry, one against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Steelers have historically dominated the rivalry, with the Bengals finally snapping an 11-game losing streak against the Steelers in 2020.
Pittsburgh and Cincinnati have an NFC North that has been so physically vicious at times, it has gotten out of control at times.
In 2016 Vontaze Burfict knocked out Antonio Brown so violently that he was knocked out cold even before he hit the ground. Brown has seemingly been a different person since then and some consider him suffering with the effects of CTE.
Then in 2017, JuJu Smith-Schuster got "revenge" by knocking out Burfict with an illegal block which many saw as retribution for Burfict's hit on Brown the year before. The next season Burfict was fined $112,000 for unnecessary roughness on Antonio Brown, again, as well as on running back James Connor.
I’m no doctor, but maybe Antonio Brown never recovered from this disgusting hit by Vontaze Burfict pic.twitter.com/7FKGRs9AiD
— Eric Rosenthal (@ericsports) January 2, 2022
1. Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears
Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears is the biggest rivalry in the NFL and it was only recently in 2017 that the Packers overtook the Bears in the overall head-to-head.
The teams have been facing off against each other since 1921, and both Green Bay and Chicago are among the best teams in the NFL historically.
Chicago and Green Bay have built up a geographical rivalry as NFC North rivals. Chicago is a 30-minute drive away from the Wisconsin border, and those from Illinois don't like the "Cheeseheads" from Wisconsin.
The animosity is just as equal in return, with those from Wisconsin having a strong hatred for those in Chicago, who they call "fishtabs", or "F&*%in' Illinois S&^# Head Towing a Boat".
To commemorate the 204th rivalry game between the @packers and the @ChicagoBears, here’s an interactive graph showing top career passers by yards throughout the years. If you like this, drop a follow and comment what I should do next! Who is your favorite QB? #GoPackGo #DaBears pic.twitter.com/rtwjigg7Wc
— Bryan Geenen (@BryanGeenen) December 9, 2021
MAKE AMERICAN SPORTS YOUR GAME TOO!
Website | Linktree | Youtube | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Tiktok | Pinterest |
Wolfgang Sport is an American sports blog bringing you content on football, basketball, baseball, soccer and more. We continue to push the boundaries of blogging in the crypto world and embracing Web3 technologies.