Football isn’t just a game—it’s a battlefield where decades-old grudges play out. That’s why the most captivating NFL matchups are often those between rival teams with passionate supporters. Whether it’s historic clashes, playoff showdowns, or seasonal grudge matches, these 15 NFL rivalries have shaped the league’s history and continue to thrill fans today.
Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers
When these teams met for the first time in November 1921, they had no idea they would ignite the NFL’s longest-running feud. Today, the Bears-Packers rivalry has a staggering 208 meetings, with the Packers leading the All-time series 107–95–6. Featuring 22 NFL championships and 70 Hall of Famers between them, this matchup is the most intense in the NFL.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles
When America’s Team meets the City of Brotherly Love, the brotherly love disappears. Their matchups, spanning 63 long years, have it all: accusations of bounties, score-running, and enough bad blood to fill the Delaware River. With the Cowboys leading the all-time series 74-56-0, fans still crave more of this entertaining duo.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
This rivalry began on October 7, 1950, when the Browns defeated the Steelers 30-17. Since then, the odds have changed, with the Steelers leading the All-time series at 81–63–1 and the regular season at 79–62–1. As both have a community of loyal fans, each game between these teams is a high-stakes affair.
New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The Giants-Eagles feud isn’t just about football—it’s a decades-old battle between two proud cities. With 185 meetings and five playoff clashes since 1933, every regular-season game feels like a war. Recently, the Eagles have soared ahead, winning the all-time series 94-89-2. But tables can turn faster than a New York minute in this brawl.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders
Before their first match in 1960, the Cowboys and Commanders were already enemies. In 1958, George Marshall, the owner of the Washington Commanders, tried to block the Dallas Cowboys’ entry into the NFL, so the Cowboys retaliated by withholding the rights to the Commanders’ team anthem. Today, they fight their battles on the gridiron, but the bad blood remains.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
For years, this contention was lopsided. The Steelers often held the upper hand, particularly during the Roethlisberger era, where they ran up a 24-10 record from 2004 to 2021. However, the Bengals have fought back in recent years with their 2020 draftee Joe Burrow, who helped them defeat the Steelers in 2021— the first time since 2009.
New England Patriots vs. New York Jets
Separated by a four-hour drive and united by mutual disdain, the Patriots and Jets have fought since September 17, 1960. While the Patriots have dominated this feud since the 2000s and 2010s, the Jets always try to clip their wings with memorable comebacks, including notable victories in 2010 and 2023.
Denver Broncos vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Born in the AFL, this enmity has stood the test of time and relocation. The 1977 season kick-started the bad blood when the Broncos snapped the Raiders’ 17-game winning streak on October 16. Since that victory, it’s been a rollercoaster of emotions, with both teams battling for supremacy in the AFC West.
Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals
With just 50 meetings, the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals feud is a modern-day fight for dominance in the NFC West. Their first meet was on September 12, 1976, when the Cardinals won 30-24. Currently, Seattle holds the edge at a narrow 27-22-1 lead, but Arizona’s always ready to swoop in for the upset.
Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints
Every Falcons-Saints game reflects the cultural and political differences between the Southern cities, Atlanta and New Orleans. These teams first met in 1967 and have rivaled since then, with the All-time series currently tied at 55-55. The deafening chants of “Who Dat?” and “Rise Up!” make each game a raucous battle for pride and bragging rights in the South.
Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Rams
This struggle has spanned different cities following their first match in 1937, yet the intensity has remained constant. The Rams currently lead the all-time series 50-40-2, but the Cardinals have had moments of dominance, particularly during their eight-game winning streak from 2006 to 2010. With 92 total meetings, their contention continues to evolve, promising more excitement in the future.
Denver Broncos vs. Seattle Seahawks
Although the Seahawks now play in a different conference, their matchups against the Broncos are highly anticipated. Before 2002, these teams played twice yearly in AFC West divisional matches. This rivalry peaked in Super Bowl XLVIII, where the Seahawks delivered one of the most lopsided victories in Super Bowl history, defeating the Broncos 43-8.
Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots
The Patriots-Colts rivalry has seen 84 matchups since 1970 and was considered a must-see duel in the 2000s. While the Patriots currently lead the all-time series 53-31, the Colts have equally seen successful seasons—like the 2006 AFC Championship game, when the Colts outscored the Patriots 38-34 to bag their second Super Bowl title.
New York Giants vs. New England Patriots
Since the Giants and Patriots play in different conferences, they’ve only met 14 times, and their all-time series is evenly split at 7-7. However, the most significant chapters of this rivalry were written on football’s biggest stage—the Super Bowl. The Giants stunned the Patriots in both the 2007 and 2011 seasons, denying the Patriots two more championships.
15 Most Iconic Rivalries In NFL History