National Football League rivalries
As with all sports leagues, there are a number of significant rivalries in the National Football League (NFL). Rivalries are occasionally created due to a particular event that causes bad blood between teams, players, coaches, or owners, but for the most part, they arise simply due to the frequency with which some teams play each other, and sometimes exist for geographic reasons.
Rivalries in the NFL are commonly recognized as such by fans and players alike. While many rivalries are well established, others are of more recent vintage, accepted as existing by the nature of the competition and history between the two teams. Other rivalries have fallen by the wayside due to league realignment and reduction in frequencies of meetings. Many modern rivalries are formed simply due to the two teams being within the same division.
Foundation
Purely geographic rivalries are rare in the NFL, since crosstown rivals do not play each other nearly as often as in other leagues that have more games and place teams closest to each other into the same divisions (and therefore more opportunities to play other teams). For example, Major League Baseball teams face each league opponent at least six times in the regular season, and within a division as many as 19 times, while the National Hockey League scheduling policies in the 21st century ensured at least eight games (out of 82) with division rivals and ensured the two areas with multiple teams (New York and Los Angeles) had all of the teams in one area in the same division. In recent years, the NFL changed its scheduling formula to ensure every possible matchup happens within a four-year span, not counting pre-season games or the Super Bowl.[1]
A main factor in the fact that crosstown rivals are almost always in opposing conferences is history: in the three current markets (New York/New Jersey, Los Angeles, and San Francisco Bay Area) that have two NFL teams, all have one team (Jets in New York, Raiders in Oakland, Chargers in Los Angeles) that was a member of the American Football League. As part of the AFL–NFL merger, all AFL teams had to be retained, even if it meant multiple teams in one metropolitan area; this was not a major issue, as the Raiders and San Francisco 49ers served separate parts of their metropolitan areas separated by San Francisco Bay, and the New York market, the most populous in the United States, supported two or more NFL teams through the 1930s and 1940s. Only in Los Angeles, which did not have two NFL teams until the Raiders moved there in 1980, has there been difficulty in supporting two NFL teams at the same time, a factor in both the Rams and Raiders leaving in 1995.
The newly merged league opted not to go through an extensive geographical realignment, and instead, the AFL formed the basis of the AFC, and the old NFL formed the basis of the NFC; as a result, each team ended up in an opposite conference from their crosstown rival. This allowed the combined league to retain both existing television partnerships of each league—NBC for the AFL/AFC, and CBS for the NFL/NFC—instead of choosing one or the other (ABC joined the mix in 1970 with Monday Night Football, giving all of the Big Three television networks NFL rights and effectively shutting out any further potential competitors). NFL policy currently requires any teams who play in the same metropolitan area to play in opposite conferences; if any relocations cause two teams from the same conference to share a metropolitan area, one of the two teams must move to the other conference.[2]
Categories
Division rivals
Games between opponents in the same NFL division. Since 2002, there are 32 teams in eight divisions of four teams each.[3] Each team plays each division opponent twice in the regular season (once at home, once away) for a total of six regular season games out of 16 total. Occasionally, two teams will play three times in a year if they meet again in the playoffs. The Chiefs, Cowboys, Packers, Patriots, and Steelers are the only teams with winning records against all of their current division rivals for rivalries going back at least 20 years.
Conference rivals
Teams do not play a given conference opponent from outside their division more than once during the regular season.[1] However, they may meet again for a second time in the playoffs. The NFL schedules divisions to play against each other on a rotating basis, so that every team from one division will play every team from another division, for a total of four games per team. Each team will also play one team from each of the remaining two divisions within the conference that finished in the same divisional standing position in the prior year—for a grand total of 96 intra-conference games. Conference games are often important, as a team's record in common games, as well as its overall record against its conference, is sometimes used as a tiebreaker for playoff seeding at the end of the regular season. Also, many regular season opponents have met again in the playoffs, and the result of a regular season game can affect where the playoff game will be played. Conference rivals will play each other at least once every three years in the regular season, and as frequently as once every year depending on record, and can play each other in the preseason.
Inter-conference
Teams do not play a given inter-conference opponent more than once during the season unless they were to meet up in the Super Bowl. The NFL schedules inter-conference divisions to play each other exactly once on a rotating basis within a four-year cycle. For instance, given the 2012 NFL season as a reference, the NFC East played the AFC North during the 2012 season, then the AFC West during the 2013 season, AFC South during the 2014 season, and finally the AFC East in the 2015 season before repeating the cycle. The league also schedules inter-conference games on an eight-year cycle so any particular team will both host and visit any given team in the league within eight years.[4] Inter-conference rivals may play each other more frequently in the preseason, where no structured scheduling formula is used.
American Football Conference
AFC East
Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins
In the AFC East rivalry between the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins, the two teams have played 104 regular season and playoff games, with the Dolphins having a 61–48–1 advantage as of the end of the 2018 season.[5][6] The intensity of the rivalry stems from the Dolphins winning 20 straight meetings in the 1970s, as well as the emergence of Hall-of-Fame quarterbacks Jim Kelly for Buffalo and Dan Marino for Miami in the 1980s and 1990s. The teams have also met four times in the NFL playoffs, with the Bills holding a 3–1 advantage, including a victory in the 1992 AFC Championship Game.[6][7]
Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots
This is one of the more lopsided rivalries in the league, with the Patriots controlling the series throughout the Tom Brady Era. Prior to The Brady Era, Bills' Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly compiled a 12–8 career record against the Patriots. The Patriots lead 75–43–1 as of the end of the 2019 season. The Patriots won the teams' lone playoff meeting after the 1963 AFL season.
Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets
This rivalry is not as fierce as other AFC East rivalries, as the two teams have rarely been competitive simultaneously. The rivalry briefly heated up when former Jets coach Rex Ryan was coaching for Buffalo from 2015 to 2016. The Bills lead series 62–55 as of the end of the 2018 season.[8] The Bills won the rivals' lone post-season meeting in the 1981 AFC Wild Card round.
Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots
The Dolphins lead 55–53 as of the end of the 2019 season, but the Patriots lead the playoff series 2–1. The rivalry briefly heated up in 2005, when Patriots head coach Bill Belichick's former Browns assistant Nick Saban was hired as Dolphins head coach and when he nearly signed quarterback Drew Brees with the Dolphins, as well as in 2008 when the teams were battling for the top spot in the AFC East. These Dolphins won the division, making 2008 the only in a 16-year stretch in which New England did not win the AFC East. Both teams are also the only teams in the post-Merger era to post undefeated regular season records, with the Dolphins doing so in 1972 and the Patriots in 2007, but only the Dolphins were able to win the Super Bowl. Recently, the Patriots have had the upper hand, posting a 26–13 record in the Tom Brady era.
Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets
The Dolphins and Jets have often competed for divisional supremacy, and have played a number of classic games. This includes the game, known in NFL Lore as the Monday Night miracle where the Jets erased a 30–7 lead after three quarters and won the game in overtime; as well as the famous Dan Marino fake spike game. The Jets lead the series 54–53–1 as of the end of the 2019 season, while the Dolphins have won the only playoff meeting, the 1982 AFC Championship Game.[9]
New England Patriots vs. New York Jets
Games between the New England Patriots and New York Jets have often played out the fierce Yankees–Red Sox rivalry in Major League Baseball, as New York City and Boston are approximately 3½ hours apart by car.[10][11] More recently, the Jets have tried to overcome the Patriots’ domination in the division and the conference, facing them in the playoffs twice in a five-season span. The Patriots defeated the Jets 37–16 in the 2006 playoffs, while the Jets won 28–21 in the 2010 playoffs. The series is in New England's favor, 67–54–1 as of the end of the 2019 season series, including a playoff record of 2–1 against the Jets.[12]
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns
The Browns–Ravens rivalry in the AFC North began when the Browns resumed operations 1999, after suspending operations for three seasons after the original Browns moved to Baltimore and became the Ravens. The rivalry between the Browns and Ravens was more directed at former Browns owner Art Modell, who orchestrated the move, than the team itself, and has, by most Ravens fans, been simply considered a divisional game. The rivalry has been largely one-sided, as the Ravens hold a 31–11 series lead. The two teams have not met in the playoffs.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Ravens-Steelers rivalry in the AFC North is one of the most intense in the NFL. The Ravens and Steelers often compete for divisional supremacy. They are also known for fielding tough, hard-hitting defensive squads, giving their games an extra element of physical intensity. The Steelers lead the series 28–24, including a 3–1 record in the playoffs. The two teams have combined for eight Super Bowl championships.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns
This rivalry, often referred to as the "Battle of Ohio" started as the result of former Browns head coach and team founder Paul Brown starting the Bengals franchise after leaving the Browns. The colors of each team are similar, since Paul Brown chose the exact shade of orange used by the Browns for the Bengals, and the Bengals original uniforms were identical to the Browns uniforms, excluding the word "Bengals" on the helmet. The rivalry reached its peak during the 1980s when both teams were vying viciously for a spot in the playoffs. During the 1990s the rivalry also butted heads when Brown's sons were in charge of the day-to-day operations of the Bengals.[13] The Bengals lead the series 51–42 as of the end of the 2019 season. The two teams have not met in the playoffs.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The two teams have played each other twice a year since becoming division rivals in 1970. This rivalry has gained intensity since 2000, as the teams have met twice in the playoffs, with both games being marked by hard hits and injuries. The Steelers lead the overall series 66–35 and the postseason series 2–0. However, the Steelers have been more dominant recently, posting a record of 28–7 since 2004, when they drafted Roethlisberger.
Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Browns–Steelers rivalry is one of the most storied in the American Football Conference and NFL. With 128 meetings and counting, it is the oldest rivalry in the AFC. The two divisional foes have a natural rivalry due to the commonalities between the cities. It is sometimes called the Turnpike Rivalry[14] because the majority of driving route between the two cities are connected via the Pennsylvania and Ohio Turnpike. The Steelers lead the series 76–59–1 as of the end of the 2019 season, including a 2–0 playoff record against Cleveland. The only time that the rivalry has met during the playoffs is during the Wild Card round of 2005. This is marked as a special time in the rivalry because this is when Steelers defensive tackle Kimo Von Oelhoffen injured Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer.[15] The Steelers have dominated the series in recent years, posting a 36–7–1 record against the Browns since their 1999 return to the NFL.
AFC South
Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans
In one of the newer rivalries in the NFL, the Colts and Texans have intensified their animosity in recent years. Despite Indianapolis dominating the AFC South and this particular series under quarterback Peyton Manning in the 2000s, Houston has recently provided more competition, winning the division five times since 2011. Indianapolis currently leads the series 28–9, including a win in the postseason in 2018.[16]
Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans
This rivalry matches the old team representing Houston (the Titans, as the Houston Oilers) against the new team (the Texans). Though the Titans dominated the series early on, the Texans have made it more competitive as of late. A notable moment involved Texans receiver Andre Johnson and Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan getting into a brawl during a 2010 matchup.[17] The Titans lead the series 18–16, as of the end of the 2018 season.[18] The two teams have never met in the playoffs.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans
This is a relatively new rivalry as the Jaguars did not begin play until 1995. A notable moment was the 1999 season, in which the Jaguars went 14–2, with both of their losses coming to the Titans. The Titans would beat the Jaguars for a third time in the AFC Championship Game, their only playoff meeting to date. This series was relatively quiet in recent years, as neither team has consistently contended for the postseason (the exception being in 2017, when both teams qualified for the playoffs). The Titans lead series 29–21 as of the end of the 2019 season, including a 1–0 postseason record.
A recent article suggested that this rivalry is one of the more boring ones in NFL franchise history. These two teams were once part of the AFC Central division in the late 90's. However, in 2002, the Titans and Jaguars became part of the AFC South. However, since the creation of this division, it has been overshadowed by the Colts and the Texans.
Since 2002, the Texans have participated (and won) in their division three times. Indianapolis was participated (and won) 9 division titles since then. Neither the Titans or the Jaguars have won the division title since the early 2000s.
In spite of all of this, both teams have been competitive since the beginning of their rivalry. Both teams had strong competition since the Titans went to Tennessee in 1999. There is hope that eventually this rivalry will become a storied success within its division.[19]
AFC West
Denver Broncos vs. Las Vegas Raiders
During the AFL days in the 1960s and up to 1976, the rivalry was very one-sided, with the Raiders going 26–6–2, including 14 straight wins from 1965–71. The Broncos defeated the Raiders in the 1977 AFC championship, en route to the first Super Bowl appearance. The Raiders won 13 out of 15 meetings from 1988–94, and held a 49–20–2 series lead by 1994. However, the Broncos reversed their fortunes against the Raiders when Mike Shanahan became the Broncos' head coach in {y|1995}}. Shanahan coached the Raiders in 1988 before being fired four games into the 1989 season, and later became involved in a lengthy contract dispute with Raiders' owner Al Davis. The Broncos went 21–7 against Oakland during the 14 seasons that Shanahan coached the Broncos (1995–2008). the Raiders lead the series 64–53–2 as of the end of the 2018 season. The teams have met twice in the playoffs, with each team winning one game.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Las Vegas Raiders
The Chiefs–Raiders rivalry is considered as one of the NFL's most bitter.[20] Since the AFL was established in 1960, the Chiefs and Raiders have shared the same division, first being the AFL Western Conference, and since the AFL–NFL merger, the AFC West.
The Chiefs lead the regular season series 67–53–2 as of the end of the 2019 season, including a 2–1 playoff record against Las Vegas.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Las Vegas Raiders
The Chargers-Raiders rivalry dates to the 1963 season, when the Raiders defeated the heavily favored Chargers twice, both come-from-behind fourth quarter victories. One of the most memorable games between these teams was the "Holy Roller" game in 1978, in which the Raiders intentionally fumbled in order to score a touchdown. This somewhat controversial play resulted in a rule change the following season. On November 22, 1982, the Raiders hosted their first Monday Night football game in Los Angeles against the Chargers. The Chargers led the game in the 1st half 24–0 until the Raiders scored 28 unanswered points in the second half to win 28–24. The Raiders lead the series 63–54–2 as of the end of the 2018 season, including having won the only playoff game between the two teams, the 1980 AFC Championship game.[21]
Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Chiefs lead 63–55 as of the end of the 2017 season, but the Broncos won the only playoff game between the two teams, a 1997 AFC Divisional game.
Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Broncos lead 67–52–1 as of the end of the 2019 season, including having won the only playoff meeting between the two teams, a 2013 AFC Divisional game.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Chiefs lead 61–56–1 as of the end of the 2018 season, but the Chargers won the only playoff meeting between the two teams, a 1992 AFC Wild Card game.
Conference rivalries
Denver Broncos vs. New England Patriots
The Broncos lead 30–23 as of the end of the 2017 season, including a 4–1 playoff record against New England. In recent history, the Broncos and Patriots met in the postseason twice in three years, in both the 2013 and 2015 AFC Championship Games. The Broncos won both games, earning the right to represent the AFC in Super Bowls 48 and 50.
Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots
The Colts–Patriots rivalry is one of the NFL's most famous.[22] The two teams combined for eight Super Bowl victories (six by the Patriots) and thirteen AFC Championships since 1970, while both are noted for their organizational excellence.[22] The Patriots lead 52–29 as of the end of the 2016 season, including a 4–1 playoff record against Indianapolis.
The nature of this rivalry is somewhat ironic because while the Colts and Patriots were AFC East division rivals from 1970–2001 (dating back to the Colts' time in Baltimore), their intensified enmity wasn't prevalent until Indianapolis was moved into the newly formed AFC South following the 2001 season as part of the NFL's realignment.[22] The two teams did not meet in 2002 but met every year from 2003–12. From the first game of the rivalry's renewal (a 38–34 Patriots victory highlighted by a last-second goalline stand) the rivalry has been bitterly close: following New England's 31–24 win in 2011 the Patriots lead the series with seven wins (two in the playoffs) versus five wins (one playoff) for the Colts, and the Patriots hold a slim lead in points scored, 319–305. The Colts and Patriots met every year from 2003–2015 as both teams often finished in the same position in their divisions. The other AFC East teams were only able to play the Colts when the East and South divisions were scheduled to play a full interlocking schedule.
The modern match-up was often headlined as a contest between future Hall of Famers Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, who together have won six NFL MVP awards in eight years (2003–10; four by Manning). Tom Brady received his first start against the Colts after an injury to then-starter Drew Bledsoe, and proceeded to defeat the Colts in his first six games against them in the next years, including the 2003 AFC Championship game and a 2004 AFC Divisional playoff game. The Colts won the next 3 matches, notching two regular season victories and a win in the 2006 AFC Championship Game on the way to their win in Super Bowl XLI. The Patriots' 2007 quest for a perfect season included a comeback 24–20 victory in their final visit to the RCA Dome. The Colts won the next two; in their 2009 Super Bowl season they won 35–34 following a 4th and 2 call by Bill Belichick. The 2010 match-up was Indy's first trip to Gillette Stadium since 2006; a last-minute Manning interception ended a 31–28 Patriots win. In 2011, the Patriots beat the Colts without Manning playing, 31–24.
In 2012, the Patriots rudely welcomed Colts rookie quarterback Andrew Luck to the rivalry, returning two interceptions thrown by the first pick of the 2012 NFL Draft for touchdowns en route to a 59–24 blowout. The result was the same for the two teams in the 2013 AFC Divisional playoff game as New England cruised to a 43–22 victory. On November 16, 2014, at Lucas Oil Stadium, the New England defeated Indianapolis 42–20 behind 201 yards rushing from Jonas Gray, who also set a Patriots franchise record with four rushing touchdowns in the game.[23]
In the AFC Championship game for the 2014 NFL Season, the rivalry escalated again as the Patriots were accused of cheating by intentionally playing with under-inflated footballs, after beating the Colts 45–7. Dubbed Deflategate, the intense media scrutiny that followed blew up for a number of reasons, including the two-week lead up to Super Bowl XLIX and the "Spygate" scandal of 2007. There were also calls for the Patriots to be banned from Super Bowl XLIX, which the Patriots ended up winning over the Seattle Seahawks, 28–24. The ensuing investigation, including the Wells Report, went on to state that quarterback Tom Brady, "more probably than not, was at least generally aware" of using under inflated footballs in the game (Colts QB Andrew Luck also used under inflated footballs but was never investigated[24]). The Patriots were fined 1 million dollars, and docked their 2016 1st round and 2017 4th round draft picks. Brady was given a 4-game suspension for the 2015 NFL season; the suspension was overturned for the 2015 season by Judge Richard Berman and Brady played the entirety of the season, including Week Six's match against the Colts. Brady served his suspension during the first four games of the 2016 season, after failing to appeal his suspension when it was reinstated in 2016.
The Patriots won their most recent scheduled meeting on October 4, 2018, 38–24.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Tennessee Titans
The Steelers the all-time series 46–32 as of the end of the 2017 season.
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Baltimore Ravens vs. New England Patriots
This rivalry stems from 4 playoff matches played between the two in the early to mid 2010s. They met in back to back AFC Championships (2011 & 2012) along with two other playoff match ups in 2010 and 2015, the teams have split the playoff match ups 2–2, but the Patriots lead the regular season series 8–2 as of the end of the 2019 season.
National Football Conference
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Football Team
The rivalry between the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Football Team, formerly known as the Redskins, is called one of the top NFL rivalries of all time and "one of the greatest in sports" by Sports Illustrated.[25] The two franchises have won 37 combined division titles and ten NFL Championships, including eight combined Super Bowls.
The rivalry started in 1960 when the Cowboys joined the league as an expansion team.[26] During that year they were in separate conferences, but played once during the season. Since 1961, Dallas has been in the same division as Washington. Dallas leads the all-time series 72–45–2 as of the end of the 2017 season. Despite their storied history they've only met twice in the playoffs (1972 & 1982), both times in the NFC Championship Game. Washington won both of those meetings.
In 2009, they were the two wealthiest franchises in the NFL.[27]
Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The rivalry between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles has been one of the higher profile rivalries in the NFL over the past three decades, characterized by bitterly contested games that are typical of the NFC East, with both teams often contesting for the division crown. The Cowboys have a 69–53 edge in the all-time series as of the end of the 2019 season. In the playoffs the clubs have gone head to head four times, with the home team winning all four games and Dallas holding a 3–1 edge. The Eagles won in 1980, while the Cowboys won in 1992, 1995, & 2009.
Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants
The modern rivalry dates back to the 2003 season when Bill Parcells took over as Cowboys head coach. After he left, Wade Phillips coached the Cowboys to a division winning season in 2007 only to see the team fall to the eventual Super Bowl XLII champion Giants in the 2007 Divisional playoff game, in what proved to be the final playoff game in Texas Stadium history. Both teams combine for a total of nine Super Bowl Championships with the Giants winning the two most recent trophies. Dallas is ahead in the all-time series 68–46–2 as of the end of the 2019 season. The aforementioned 2007 playoff meeting was their only postseason encounter.
New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The rivalry between the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants dates back to 1933. However, the competition began to heat up when both teams came to relative prominence in the 1940s and 1950s. The rivalry is mainly based on the two teams being in the same division in the NFL since 1933 and the geographic New York City–Philadelphia rivalry.[28] It is ranked by Sports Illustrated as amongst the top ten NFL rivalries of all-time at #4.[29] However, the geographic rivalry between the Eagles and Giants is well known in football circles, meriting mention on ESPN.com.[22]
The rivalry is the second-oldest of the NFC East. It has been called the greatest rivalry in NFL history.[30][31] The Giants and Eagles have met four times in the playoffs, with each team winning twice. The Giants won in 1981 & 2000, and the Eagles won in 2006 & 2008. The Eagles currently lead the all-time series 88–86–2 as of the 2019 season.
New York Giants vs. Washington Football Team
The Giants and Washington Football Team, formerly known as the Redskins, have a storied rivalry, as well as the oldest in the NFC East, dating back to 1932 with the founding of the Redskins' predecessors, the Boston Braves. While New York leads the rivalry, there have been great periods of competition between the two teams, most notably during the 1980s where they clashed for division titles and Super Bowl championships. Between 1982–91 they combined for 8 division titles and 5 Super Bowl titles, two by the Giants (1986, 1990) and three by the Redskins (1982, 1987, 1991).[32] New York has a 103–69–4 all-time record over Washington as of the end of the 2019 season. The Giants are the second team to mark 100 wins against another NFL franchise in 2017. (The Green Bay Packers were the first team to do so against the Lions in 2016.) The teams have met in the playoffs twice, with the Redskins shutting out the Giants 28–0 in 1943 and New York returning the favor 43 years later in the 1986 NFC Conference Championship, winning 17–0.
Washington Football Team vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Washington leads the all-time series 86–79–6 as of the end of the 2019 season and won their only playoff matchup in the 1990 Wild Card round 20–6.
NFC North
Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers
The Bears–Packers rivalry began in 1921 and is the league's longest.[33] The Packers lead the series 98–95–6 as of September 5, 2019.[33]
The two clubs have won a combined 22 NFL championships (including 5 Super Bowls) and have 48 members in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The strike-shortened 1982 NFL season wiped out both Bears-Packers meetings scheduled for that season. Because of this, it is not the longest continuous rivalry. That goes to the Lions-Packers, who have played at least twice each season since 1932.
The rivalry has led to the Chicago–Milwaukee/Wisconsin rivalry being seen in other sports, like the Brewers–Cubs rivalry in Major League Baseball and the rivalry between the Bulls and Bucks in the National Basketball Association.
The teams met four times in the 2011 calendar year, and the Packers won all four. They met on January 2 in the 2010 regular season finale, then three weeks later in the NFC Conference Championship Game en route to winning Super Bowl XLV, and then they had both meetings in the 2011 regular season. The 2013 regular season finale served as a playoff game for the NFC North Division Championship, which Green Bay won 33–28, scoring a 48-yard touchdown on fourth-and-8 with 38 seconds left.
Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions
The Bears–Lions rivalry is an NFL rivalry between the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions. Chicago and Detroit share or have shared a sports rivalry in all four major sports (see; Bulls–Pistons rivalry, Tigers–White Sox rivalry, and Blackhawks–Red Wings rivalry). The franchises first met in 1930 when the Lions were known as the Portsmouth Spartans and based in Portsmouth, Ohio. They moved to Detroit for the 1934 season. The Bears and Lions have been division rivals since 1933 and have usually met twice a season since the Lions franchise began. The Bears lead the series 101–74–5 as of the end of the 2019 season.
This rivalry is also the longest-running annual series in the NFL as both teams have met at least once a season since 1930. (As mentioned above, due to the 1982 strike, both games scheduled for the Bears–Packers rivalry were not played that season.) However, one of the two meetings between both teams was canceled during Week 3 of the 1987 season, which does not make this rivalry the longest-running continuous series in the NFL (that feat belongs to the Lions–Packers rivalry, who have met at least twice a season since 1932 without any canceled meetings).
Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers
The Lions–Packers rivalry is an NFL rivalry between the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers. They first met in 1930 when the Lions were known as the Portsmouth Spartans and based in Portsmouth, Ohio. The team eventually moved to Detroit for the 1934 season. The Lions and Packers have been division rivals since 1933 and have always met at least twice a season since 1932, without any canceled games between both rivals (as of today). The Packers lead the series 101–72–7 as of the end of the 2019 season.
Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Lions and Vikings have played twice annually since the Vikings entered the league's Western Conference in 1961. The two teams moved to the NFC Central after the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, which became the NFC North after the NFL's 2002 realignment. This is the only NFC North rivalry without any head-to-head postseason meetings. Both teams play in indoor stadiums, and both are known for their bad luck.
Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Packers–Vikings rivalry began in 1961, when the Vikings entered the league as an expansion team. The rivalry is known for being very close, both in the all-time series and in each game. It is also considered to be one of the most intense rivalries in the NFL, due these close games, the fact that both teams have often fought for the NFC North title, and the fact that the two states in which these teams reside (Minnesota and Wisconsin) have a rivalry in many sports, seen between the Big Ten rivals, the University of Wisconsin and University of Minnesota. Events such as Randy Moss mooning the Green Bay crowd in the first playoff game between these two teams (won by the Vikings), and former Packer great Brett Favre's move to the Vikings have created more resentment between these teams.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears
It began when the Vikings entered the league as an expansion team in 1961. The first time these two teams met, the Vikings stunned the Bears 37–13 in Minnesota. Both teams are members of the NFC North, and play at least twice a year. The rivalry is known for having had many offensive-oriented contests, and also several surprising results. The Vikings lead the overall series 60–56–2. The teams have met once in the postseason, a 35–18 Bears win in the 1994 Wild Card Round.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints
At 100 games played, the series between the Falcons and Saints in the NFC South is the oldest and most established rivalry in the division. Born one year apart, the Saints and Falcons were the first two NFL franchises in the Deep South (Dallas being arguably southern but not in the traditional Deep South). They have shared many of the same players, such as Morten Andersen (the leading scorer in Saints History, as Falcons Kicker Matt Bryant is now the leading scorer in Falcons history ), Bobby Hebert (who quarterbacked for both teams in the 1990s), and Joe Horn (the Pro Bowl Saints receiver who left for the Falcons in 2007). They have also drawn coaches from the same families, and even shared a head coach: recent Falcons coach Jim L. Mora is the son of longtime Saints coach Jim E. Mora, and former Falcons and Saints coach Wade Phillips is the son of former Saints coach Bum Phillips. Although rarely noted by the national media—no doubt due to both teams' long stretches of futility until the opening decade of the 21st century—games between the Falcons and Saints have riveted their respective regions for more than 40 years. Fans of both teams consider the other their most important and hated opponent.
ESPN.com writer Len Pasquarelli has cited the rivalry as one of the best in all of sports: "Every year, bus caravans loaded with rowdy (and usually very inebriated) fans make the seven-hour trip between the two cities. Unless you've attended a Falcons-Saints debauchery-filled afternoon, you'll just have to take my word for how much fun it really can be."[23]
Atlanta leads the series 50–46 (49–46 regular season, 1–0 playoffs). From 2006 onward, the teams have become consistent playoff threats, New Orleans appropriated five division titles in 2006, 2009, 2011, 2017, and 2018 while the Falcons made the playoffs in 2008 and captured the division in 2010, 2012 and 2016. Both teams have reached the Super Bowl, only once New Orleans and twice Atlanta (the Saints won Super Bowl XLIV over the Colts 31–17, while Atlanta lost Super Bowl XXXIII to the Broncos 34–19 and Super Bowl LI to the Patriots 34–28).
New Orleans Saints vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Although the Saints and the Buccaneers have played since 1977, this matchup began a full-fledged rivalry in 2002 when the Saints and the Buccaneers moved into the same division, the NFC South. The first matchup was in 1977 at the Louisiana Superdome (now the Mercedes-Benz Superdome) when the Bucs won 33–14. The most recent match was in 2019 at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints won 31–24. Together, they have had 55 meetings. The Saints lead this rivalry 34–21.
Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Although the Buccaneers and the Panthers have played since 1995, this match-up became a full-fledged rivalry in 2002 when they moved into the same division, the NFC South. This first meeting came in 1995 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson when the Bucs won 20–13. The last meeting came in 2019 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London when the Panthers won 37–26. The Panthers lead the series 24–15.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers
The Falcons–Panthers rivalry is a rivalry between the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. Both franchises have a combined twelve divisional titles (eleven as members of the same division) and four Super Bowl appearances, with the Falcons appearing in Super Bowl XXXIII and Super Bowl LI and the Panthers appearing in Super Bowls XXXVIII and 50.
The Panthers and Falcons have played each other twice a year since 1995, as members of both the NFC West (1995–2001) and NFC South (2002–present) divisions. Their games have been marked by intensity, close scores, and remarkable performances.
It is also known as the I-85 Rivalry due to Atlanta and Charlotte being only four hours apart on Interstate 85. Indeed, games between the two often feature large contingents of the away team's fans visiting the stadium.
Atlanta leads the rivalry 30–18.
NFC West
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers became divisional rivals in 2002, when Seattle moved to the NFC West. However, it was not until 2011 that the match-up became a true rivalry. The 49ers won the division in 2002, but did not have another winning season until 2011. Meanwhile, the Seahawks made the playoffs five straight times from 2003–2007 and appeared in Super Bowl XL.
In 2010, the Seahawks hired former USC head coach Pete Carroll, who took the Seahawks to the playoffs in his first year, and the rivalry started growing in 2011 when the 49ers hired former Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh, who also took his team to the playoffs in his first year. Carroll and Harbaugh had been intense rivals as college head coaches, and the rivalry followed them into the NFL.
The rivalry took off in 2012, when the two teams posted winning records and made the NFC playoffs during the same year for the first time. The teams split their games, with the Seahawks defeating the 49ers 42–13 on national TV in a week 16 game that kept the division race alive until the final week. San Francisco ultimately won the division by a half-game and advanced to Super Bowl XLVII (losing 34–31 to the Baltimore Ravens), while the Seahawks lost in the NFC divisional round.
In 2013, the teams again split their games, and the Seahawks won the division by a game and went on to win Super Bowl XLVIII, defeating the 49ers in the NFC Championship game. All three 49ers-Seahawks games were highly anticipated that season, and most sports analysts called it the best rivalry in the NFL. Ever since then the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks fans are always eagerly awaiting this divisional round matchup.[34]
After several years of mediocre or poor teams, the 49ers regained relevance in the 2019 season. They were the last undefeated team in the league at 8–0. On Monday Night Football, they played a pitched battle where San Francisco missed what would have been a game-winning field goal in overtime.[35] They proceeded to lose their first game of the season when Seattle kicked a field goal on the last play of the game. The rematch between the division foes was the final game of the NFL season, with the division championship (and playoff seeding) on the line. The Niners won this time, earning the top seed in the NFC.[36]
Seattle leads the series 25–16.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams
The rivalry between the 49ers and Rams began in 1950. The rivalry became one of the most intense in the NFL in the 1970s as the two California-based teams (the Rams then played their home games in Los Angeles whereas the 49ers played their home games in San Francisco) regularly competed for the NFL's NFC West Division title. The two teams have contested 141 games, in which San Francisco leads 71–67–3. After the Rams relocated to St. Louis (in 1995), the rivalry had lost its geographical lore, although games were still intense. The cultural differences between the West Coast (where the 49ers are based) and the Midwest (where the Rams were based) also added to the intensity of the rivalry. In 2016, the Rams moved back to Los Angeles making the rivalry once again West Coast based. Sports Illustrated considers it the 8th best of all time in the NFL.[37]
Conference rivalries
Dallas Cowboys vs. Green Bay Packers
The Packers lead the all-time series 19–17.
Dallas Cowboys vs. San Francisco 49ers
The bitter rivalry between the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers began in the 1970s and became prominent during the 1990s.[38][39] For three straight seasons from 1992 through 1994 the two teams met in the conference championship game. Each was a hotly contested battle whose winner went on to win the Super Bowl in every one of those seasons. The NFL Top 10 ranked this rivalry to be the tenth best in the history of the NFL. San Francisco has played Dallas in seven postseason games with the Cowboys leading the postseason series 5–2. The Cowboys lead all-time series 18–17–1.
Green Bay Packers vs. Seattle Seahawks
As of January 2020, Packers are 12–3 vs. Seahawks including 4–0 in playoffs at Green Bay and 14–9 overall including 4–1 in playoffs.
Los Angeles Rams vs. New Orleans Saints
A Rivalry recently brought back into relevance. Historically, both teams often struggled at similar times of the NFL's history in rather odd parallels. Notable matchups did occur between players such as Saints’ Quarterback Archie Manning and the Rams’ notorious defense dubbed “the fearsome foursome”.[40] The Saints had long been a part of the NFC West until the league's realignment in 2002, meaning the two clubs would face off twice a year until the Saints were moved to the newly formed NFC South.[41] The Saints began the opening game of their inaugural season with a 27–13 loss to the Rams at Tulane Stadium. The Rams’ first season returning to Los Angeles after 21 years in the 2016 season saw them lose in Week 11 by a score of 49–21 to the Saints in a blowout loss in New Orleans, but the Rams would later beat the Saints 26-20 during week 12 the following season in Los Angeles. Both teams would finish with an 11-5 record in 2017, and a 13-3 record the following year. Notable playoff matchups between the two teams include the Saints upsetting the Rams "Greatest Show On Turf" era team in the 2000 NFC Wild Card round was the first moment of a playoff meeting between the 2 then-divisional rivals.[42] The most notable recent example comes from the controversial 2018 NFC Championship game in which the Rams defeated the Saints following a missed pass interference call, propelling the Rams to Super Bowl LIII.[43] The Rams once again beat the saints the following season during a week 2 matchup at the Los Angeles Coliseum in a blowout 27-9 loss. The Rams currently lead the all time series 43-34.
New Orleans Saints vs. Minnesota Vikings
This rivalry have been more of Playoff rivalry since the Saints first made the Playoffs in 1987 vs the Vikings, losing 44-10. The rivalry picked back up in the 2000's as the Vikings beat the Saints in the 2001 playoffs 34-16, but the Saints got revenge in a controversal NFC Title Game in 2010 when the Saints won in Overtime. The teams met in 2018 with on of the most exciting finishes in NFL history. The teams met one more time in the postseason in 2020, with the Vikings winning 26-20 in overtime. The Vikings lead the rivalry 23-12 inculding 4-1 in the postseason
Historical rivalries
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Immaculate Reception spawned a heated rivalry between the Raiders and Steelers, a rivalry that was at its peak during the 1970s, when both teams were among the best in the league and both were known for their hard-hitting, physical play. The teams met in the playoffs in each of the next four seasons, starting with the Raiders' 33–14 victory in the 1973 divisional playoffs. Pittsburgh used the AFC championship game victories over Oakland (24–13 at Oakland in 1974 and 16–10 at Pittsburgh in 1975) as a springboard to victories in Super Bowl IX and Super Bowl X, before the Raiders notched a 24–7 victory at home in 1976 on their way to winning Super Bowl XI. To date, the two last met in the playoffs in 1983 when the eventual Super Bowl champion Raiders, playing in Los Angeles at the time, crushed the Steelers 38–10. The rivalry has somewhat died off in the years since, mainly due to the Raiders on-field struggles since appearing in Super Bowl XXXVII.
Dallas Cowboys vs. San Francisco 49ers
The bitter rivalry between the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers began in the 1970s and became prominent during the 1990s.[38][39] For three straight seasons from 1992 through 1994 the two teams met in the conference championship game. Each was a hotly contested battle whose winner went on to win the Super Bowl in every one of those seasons. The NFL Top 10 ranked this rivalry to be the tenth best in the history of the NFL. San Francisco has played Dallas in seven postseason games with the Cowboys leading the postseason series 5–2. The Cowboys lead all-time series 18–17–1.
New York Giants vs. San Francisco 49ers
The Giants-49ers rivalry is rooted in the 1980s when both teams were on the rise and would combine to win six Super Bowls from 1981–90. During that stretch there were five postseason meetings between the two teams.
The 49ers defeated the Giants in the first two meetings (the 1981 NFC divisional round 38–24 and again in the divisional round, this time in 1984, winning 21–10) en route to victories in Super Bowl XVI and Super Bowl XIX. The Giants would defeat the 49ers in the next three playoff meetings; in the 1985 Wild Card round the Giants defeated the defending Super Bowl XIX champions 17–3, then crushed the 49ers 49–3 in the divisional round of the 1986 playoffs en route to winning Super Bowl XXI, the first in the history of the Giants franchise. This game is memorable for nose tackle Jim Burt's hit on Joe Montana that knocked him out of the game in the second quarter; Montana's pass on this play was intercepted by Lawrence Taylor and Taylor ran in a 34-yard touchdown.
The two teams met again in the 1990 NFC Conference Championship Game. In one of the most physical football games ever played, the Giants upset the 49ers 15–13, ending their hopes of winning three Super Bowls in a row while the Giants went on to win their second Super Bowl in franchise history in Super Bowl XXV. The 49ers got their revenge in the 1993 playoffs when they defeated the Giants in the divisional round 44–3 in the last game of Lawrence Taylor's and Phil Simms' careers. The rivalry intensified again in the 2002 playoffs when the two clubs met in the NFC Wild Card playoff round and the 49ers behind Jeff Garcia erased a 38–14 gap for a 39–38 49ers win, a game decided on a chaotic and controversial botched field goal attempt by the Giants.
Recently, the rivalry has cooled down from its peak in the 1980s. However, during the 2011 NFC Championship Game the two met at Candlestick Park. The Giants defeated the 49ers 20–17 in overtime to go to and eventually win Super Bowl XLVI.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys lead the all-time series 17–15, but the Steelers are 2–1 against the Cowboys in the Super Bowl.[44]
Dallas Cowboys vs Green Bay Packers
The Packers lead the all-time series 19–17.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Instate rivalries
New York Giants vs. New York Jets
The Giants lead the all-time series 8–6.
Miami Dolphins vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers lead the all-time series 6–5.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Houston Texans/Houston Oilers/Dallas Texans
The Cowboys lead their series with the Texans 7–6 and won their series with the Oilers 18–13.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. St. Louis Cardinals/St. Louis Rams
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles lead the all-time series 48–28–3.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams
See also
- Major League Baseball rivalries
- Major League Soccer rivalries
- National Basketball Association rivalries
- National Hockey League rivalries
References
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- https://www.espn.com/nfl/game?gameId=401127992
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External links
- Sports Illustrated – Top 10 NFL Rivalries Of All Time
- Sports Illustrated – Top 10 New NFL Rivalries
- Dallas Cowboys Rivals – Bitter Dallas Cowboys Rivals of NFL History