As with all sports leagues, there are a number of significant rivalries in the National Football League. 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.
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 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. 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. 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 AFLâ€"NFL merger, all AFL teams had to be retained, even if it meant multiple teams in one metropolitan area. 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 leagueâ€"NBC for the AFL/AFC, and CBS for the NFL/NFCâ€"instead of choosing one or the other (ABC joined the mix in 1970 with Monday Night Football).
Categories
Division rivals
Games between opponents in the same NFL division. Since 2002, there are 32 teams in eight divisions of four teams each. 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.
Conference rivals
Teams do not play a given conference opponent from outside their division more than once during the regular season, 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 yearâ€"for a grand total of 20 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. 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 2 teams have played 104 regular season and playoff games, with the Dolphins having a 60â€"45â€"1 advantage as of December 2016. The intensity of the rivalry stems from the Dolphins winning 20 games in a row against the Bills 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. The Bills are 3â€"1, including a victory in the 1992 AFC Championship Game.
New York Jets vs. New England Patriots
Games between the New York Jets and New England Patriots have often played out the fierce Yankeesâ€"Red Sox rivalry in Major League Baseball, as New York City and Boston are approximately 3½ hours apart by car. 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 37â€"16 in the 2006 playoffs, while the Jets won 28â€"21 in the 2010 playoffs. The series is in New England's favor, 59â€"54â€"1, while the Patriots lead the playoff series 2â€"1.
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. Currently, the Jets lead the series 53â€"46â€"1, while the Dolphins have won the lone playoff meeting, defeating the Jets in the 1982 AFC Championship Game.
New York Jets vs Buffalo Bills
Bills lead series 60-51. The two teams both represent the state of New York. The rivalry briefly heated up when ex-Jets coach Rex Ryan was coaching for Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots
Patriots lead 69â€"42â€"1. One of the more lop-sided rivalries in the league, with the Patriots controlling the series throughout the Tom Brady Era. Previous to The Brady Era, Hall of Famer Jim Kelly compiled a 12â€"8 career record against the Patriots.
New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins
Dolphins lead 53-50. The rivalry briefly heated up during 2008 when the Dolphins became the first team other than the Patriots to win the AFC East since 2002. Recently the Patriots have had the upper hand, and since then have dominated the East.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Ravens-Steelers rivalry in the AFC North is one of the most intense in the NFL; they 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.
Both teams have met in the playoffs four times, with three wins by the Steelers (2001, 2008, 2010) and one by the Ravens (2014). They are the only teams in the AFC North to have won the Super Bowl, and possess a combined 8â€"2 record in the game (the Ravens won in both of their appearances, all others came from the Steelers). The Steelers lead the all times series 24-20.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns
This rivalry has produced two of the highest scoring games in the NFL history. The Bengals lead the series 46â€"39.
Geography and a shared heritage add to this rivalry. Cleveland (Northeast) and Cincinnati (Southwest) are on opposite corners of the state and essentially split Ohio. In 1963, legendary Cleveland Browns head football coach Paul Brown was terminated by Art Modell. After his time with the Cleveland Browns, Brown made the decision to create a team of his own, giving birth to the Cincinnati Bengals franchise. 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 Bengals and Browns first played in 1970. Previously, the Bengals were a part of the AFL. After the AFLâ€"NFL merger, the Browns and Bengals were placed in the AFC Central Division. They have played twice a year since 1970, except in 1982 (Player's strike-shortened season) and 1996â€"98 (Cleveland Browns relocation controversy).
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The two teams have played each other twice a year since becoming division rivals in 1970, the lone exception being 1982, when the annual matchup in Cincinnati was canceled due to the player's strike; the teams only met in Week 2 in Pittsburgh that season just before the start of the strike. Originally placed in the AFC Central following the AFLâ€"NFL merger, the two teams currently compete in that division's successor, the AFC North.
The rivalry is not quite as historic as the Bengalsâ€"Browns rivalry, however, many Bengals fans consider the Steelers to be their greatest rivals, much like Cleveland Browns fans. (Steeler fans, however, often consider the Baltimore Ravens as their top rival.) It is disputed which is the more widely bitter rivalry, but this specific rivalry is often ranked as one of the NFL's most bitter, chiefly due to the Steelers having more championships and the events of the 2005 and 2015 wild card playoff games between the two teams. The Steelers lead the series 60-35.
Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Brownsâ€"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 and surpasses other AFC rivalries by at least 5 contests. The two divisional foes have a natural rivalry due to the commonalities between the cities. It is sometimes called the Turnpike Rivalry because the majority of driving route between the two cities are connected via the Pennsylvania and Ohio Turnpike. The Steelers lead the series 70-58.
AFC South
Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans
Titans lead series, 16-14 as of the 2016 season. This rivalry pits the old team representing Houston (Titans, as the Houston Oilers) against the new team (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.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans
Titans lead series, 24-18.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans
AFC West
Denver Broncos vs. Oakland Raiders
The Raiders lead the series 62â€"51â€"2, including the playoffs. During the AFL days in the 1960s and up to 1976, the rivalry was very lopsided, with the Raiders going 26â€"6â€"2, including 14 straight wins from 1965â€"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 1988â€"94, and held a 49â€"20â€"2 series lead by 1994. However, the Broncos reversed their fortunes against the Raiders when Mike Shanahan became the Broncos' head coach in 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 21â€"7 against Oakland during the 14 seasons that Shanahan coached the Broncos (1995â€"2008). As of 2013, the two teams have met 17 times on Monday Night Football, tied (with the Cowboys & Redskins) for the most frequent pairing in Monday Night Football history.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Oakland Raiders
The Chiefsâ€"Raiders rivalry is considered as one of the NFL's most bitter. Since the AFL was established in 1960, the Chiefs & Raiders have shared the same division, first being the AFL Western Conference, & since the AFLâ€"NFL merger, the AFC West.
The Chiefs lead the regular season series 62â€"52â€"2 The Chiefs won the most recent matchup 21-13. The Chiefs are one of two teams in the NFL with a winning record against the Raiders (alongside the New England Patriots, with 10 or more contests).
Oakland Raiders vs. Los Angeles Chargers
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 fumbled for a touchdown in a very controversial play. On November 22, 1982, the Raiders hosted their first Monday Night football game in Los Angeles against the Chargers. San Diego (Now in Los Angeles) led the game in the 1st half 24â€"0 until the Raiders came into the 2nd half and made a huge comeback and won 28â€"24. Oakland leads the series 59â€"50â€"2.
Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Chiefs lead 59-55 (including playoffs).
Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Broncos lead 64-50-1
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Chiefs lead 58-55-1. The Chiefs and Cowboys are the only two teams in the NFL that have played all of their division rivals at least 100 games and having an all-time winning record against all of them, while the Eagles, Chargers, and Lions are the only three teams in the NFL that have played all their division rivals at least 100 games and having an all-time losing record against all of them.
Conference rivalries
Denver Broncos vs. New England Patriots
Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots
The Coltsâ€"Patriots rivalry is one of the NFL's most famous. The two teams combined for seven Super Bowl victories (five by the Patriots) and nine AFC Championships since 1970, while both are noted for their organizational excellence.
The nature of this rivalry is somewhat ironic because while the Colts and Patriots were AFC East division rivals from 1970â€"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. The two teams did not meet in 2002 but met every year from 2003â€"12. From the first game of the rivalry's renewal (a 38â€"34 Patriots victory highlighted by a last-second goalline stand) the rivalry has been bitterly close: following New England's 31â€"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, 319â€"305. The Colts and Patriots have met every year since 2003 as both teams often finished in the same position in their divisions. The other AFC East teams have only been able to play the Colts when the East and South divisions were scheduled to play a full interlocking schedule; they will do so again in 2015.
The modern matchup 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 (2003â€"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 24â€"20 victory in their final visit to the RCA Dome. The Colts won the next two; in their 2009 Super Bowl season they won 35â€"34 following a 4th and 2 call by Bill Belichick. The 2010 matchup was Indy's first trip to Gillette Stadium since 2006; a last-minute Manning interception ended a 31â€"28 Patriots win. In 2011, the Patriots beat the Colts without Manning playing, 31â€"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 59â€"24 blowout. The result was the same for the two teams in the 2013 AFC Divisional playoff game as New England cruised to a 43â€"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. The Patriots won their most recent scheduled meeting on October 18, 2015, by a score of 34-27. This was their first meeting since the 2015 AFC Championship in which the Patriots won 45-7. It was also their first meeting since the Deflategate scandal. The Colts were scrutinized for a failed trick punt play that occurred ironically on 4th and 2.
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 2006. 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. Brady was also cited for being less than cooperative with the investigation. 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.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Tennessee Titans
Baltimore Ravens vs. New England Patriots
This rivalry stems from 4 playoff matches played between the two in the late 2000's through the mid 2010's. They met in back to back AFC Championships (2012 & 2013) along with two other playoff match ups in 2009 and 2015, the teams have split the playoff match ups 2-2, but the Patriots lead the regular season series 9-1.
National Football Conference
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Redskins
The rivalry between the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins is called the top NFL rivalry of all time and "one of the greatest in sports" by Sports Illustrated. The two franchises have won 36 combined division titles and ten NFL Championships, including eight combined Super Bowls. They are the two wealthiest franchises in the NFL. The rivalry started in 1960 when the Cowboys joined the league as an expansion team. During that year they were in separate conferences, but played once during the season. Since 1961, Dallas has been in the same division as the Redskins. Dallas leads the all-time series 66-44-2. Despite their storied history they've only met twice in the playoffs (1972 & 1982), both times in the NFC Conference Championship Game. Washington won both of those meetings.
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 63-49 edge in the all-time series. In the playoffs they've gone head to head in 1980, 1992, 1995, & 2009 where Dallas has won the last 3 times.
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 Giants in the 2007 Divisional playoff game, in what proved to be the final playoff game in Texas Stadium history. Since then both teams have found a knack for winning on the other's home field. The Giants sport a 4-2 record at AT&T Stadium while the Cowboys are 4-2 at MetLife Stadium. 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 61-43-2. 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 Cityâ€"Philadelphia rivalry. It is ranked by Sports Illustrated as amongst the top ten NFL rivalries of all-time at #4. However, the geographic rivalry between the Eagles and Giants is well known in football circles, meriting mention on ESPN.com.
The rivalry is the oldest of the NFC East and has been one of the best rivalries in the NFL in the 21st century. The Giants and Eagles have met four times in the playoffs. The Giants won in 1981 & 2000, and the Eagles won in 2006 & 2008. The Giants lead the all-time series 84â€"78â€"2.
New York Giants vs. Washington Redskins
The Giants and Redskins have a storied rivalry. 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 1982â€"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). New York has a 97â€"65â€"4 all-time record over Washington. The teams have met in the playoff twice, with the Redskins shutting out the Giants 28â€"0 in 1943 and New York returning the favor 43 years later in the 1986 NFC Conference Championship, winning 17â€"0.
Washington Redskins vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Washington leads the all-time series 84â€"74â€"6 and won their only playoff matchup in the 1990 Wild Card round 20â€"6.
NFC North
Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers
The Bearsâ€"Packers rivalry began in 1921 and is the league's longest, with 194 regular-season and post-season games. The series is tied 94â€"94â€"6.
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 did not include a Bears-Packers game. 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 Chicagoâ€"Milwaukee/Wisconsin rivalry being seen in other sports, like the Brewersâ€"Cubs rivalry in Major League Baseball and the rivalry between the Bulls and the 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 33â€"28, scoring a 48-yard touchdown on fourth-and-8 with 38 seconds left.
Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions
The Bearsâ€"Lions rivalry is an NFL rivalry between the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions. Chicago and Detroit share a sports rivalry in all four major sports (see; Bulls-Pistons rivalry, White Sox-Tigers 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.
This rivalry is also the longest-running annual series in the NFL as both teams have met at least once a season since 1930.[1] (Due to the 1982 strike, the Bearsâ€"Packers rivalry was 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 Lionsâ€"Packers rivalry, who have met at least twice a season since 1932 without any canceled meetings).
Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers
The Lionsâ€"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). This is therefore the longest continuously-running rivalry in the NFL.
Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Lionsâ€"Vikings rivalry is a rivalry between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings. The Lions and Vikings have been battling since the Vikings entered the league in 1961. Minnesota has dominated the series; however, Detroit has given the Vikings, a usual contender for the NFL playoffs, many close games over the years.
Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Packersâ€"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
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints
At 93 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 both franchises' histories), 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 mediaâ€"no doubt due to both teams' long stretches of futility until the opening decade of the 21st centuryâ€"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 49â€"45 (48â€"45 regular season, 1â€"0 playoffs). From 2006 onward, the teams have become consistent playoff threats, New Orleans appropriated three division titles in 2006, 2009, and 2011, 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 31â€"17, while Atlanta lost Super Bowl XXXIII to the Broncos 34â€"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 2015 at Raymond James Stadium. The Saints won 24-17. Together, they have had 49 meetings. The Saints lead this rivalry 31-18.
Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Although the Buccaneers and the Panthers have played since 1995, this matchup 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 2016 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa when the Bucs won 17-16. The Panthers lead the series 20-12.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers
The Falconsâ€"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 (1995â€"2001) and NFC South (2002â€"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 feature large contingents of Falcons fans at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte and Panthers fans at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta
Atlanta leads the rivalry 27-17.
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 didn't have another winning season until 2011. Meanwhile, the Seahawks made the playoffs five straight times from 2003â€"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 42â€"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.
Seattle leads the series 18â€"15.
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 play their home games in Los Angeles whereas the 49ers play their home games in San Francisco) regularly competed for the NFL's NFC West Division title. The two teams have contested 129 matches, in which San Francisco leads 64â€"62â€"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.
Conference rivalries
Dallas Cowboys vs. Green Bay Packers
Carolina Panthers vs. Seattle Seahawks
Historical rivalries
Oakland 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' 33â€"14 victory in the 1973 divisional playoffs. Pittsburgh used the AFC championship game victories over Oakland (24â€"13 at Oakland in 1974 and 16â€"10 at Pittsburgh in 1975) as a springboard to victories in Super Bowl IX and Super Bowl X, before the Raiders notched a 24â€"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 38â€"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. However, the rivalry could heat up again with the resurgence of Oakland under new quarterback Derek Carr and the success of the Steelers' trio of "Killer B's," which consist of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, wide receiver Antonio Brown, and running back Le'Veon Bell.
Dallas Cowboys vs. San Francisco 49ers
The bitter rivalry between the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers began in the 70s and became prominent during the 90s. 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 5â€"2 but the all-time series is tied at 17â€"17â€"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 1981â€"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 38â€"24 and again in the divisional round, this time in 1984, winning 21â€"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 17â€"3, then crushed the 49ers 49â€"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 15â€"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 44â€"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 Wildcard playoff round and the Niners behind Jeff Garcia erased a 38â€"14 gap for a 39â€"38 Niners 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
Instate rivalries
New York Giants vs. New York Jets
Miami Dolphins vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Dallas Cowboys vs. Houston Texans/Houston Oilers/Dallas Texans
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Los Angeles Rams vs. Los Angeles Chargers
See also
- Major League Baseball rivalries
- National Basketball Association rivalries
- National Hockey League rivalries
References
External links
- Sports Illustrated â€" Top 10 NFL Rivalries Of All Time
- Sports Illustrated â€" Top 10 New NFL Rivalries