When people discuss the biggest NFL rivalries, they’re not just addressing matches. They’re talking about history and passion. Pride that refuses to fade, no matter how many seasons go by.
These rivalries run deep. They live in the way fans talk trash at work on Mondays. The way old highlights still sting decades later. I’ve been around this league long enough to see how much these matchups really matter, to players, coaches, and fans alike.
Introduction: Why Rivalries Make the NFL What It Is
Some of them bring out greatness, but other get messy. You can feel the tension from the first whistle. Every tackle makes a bigger difference. Each touchdown has greater significance. It’s personal, it’s not just football.
That’s what makes rivalries special. They don’t need Super Bowl stakes to matter. The energy, the noise, the grudges, it’s all part of what keeps the NFL alive.
Rivalries convince us why we enjoy this game. They’re not smooth or perfect. That’s how football should be, real, intense and hard to predict.
Top 10 NFL Rivalries
Let’s look at the 10 biggest NFL rivalries, which have shaped the game and still remain relevant.
1. Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears: The Oldest NFL Rivalry
If there was one rivalry that began it all, it was this it. Packers vs. Bears. It began in 1921 and is still burning today. This is the oldest and greatest NFL rivalry.
Two of the most historic franchises in football, over 200 meetings. A mix of legends, icy weather, and grudges that never fade.
Why it’s special: It’s history, the NFL was built in part by both teams. Every game feels like a chapter in football history.
Notable moments: The Halas vs. Lombardi coaching battles. Brett Favre torching the Bears in the ‘90s. Aaron Rodgers yelling “I still own you!” at Soldier Field.
2. Dallas Cowboys vs. San Francisco 49ers: A Clash of Eras
This rivalry is all about dominance. The Cowboys ruled the 70s. The Niners took over the 80s and 90s. When these two met in the NFC Championship games, the whole league watched.
These weren’t just games, they were legacy battles Prescott vs. Purdy feels like a new chapter in a long story.
Why it matters: Both teams call themselves “America’s Team”. But there can only be one.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens: The Grit Bowl
This is the most physical rivalry in modern football. In the 2000s, Ravens games were extremely challenging. It was violence in motion, hard hits, low scores, pure respect.
Why fans love it: Every time they play, it feels like the playoffs. It’s the blueprint for fierce NFL rivalries, no showboating, just pain and pride.
4. New England Patriots vs. New York Jets: The Grudge Match
It began badly. After just one day as head coach of the Jets, Bill Belichick quit his job. Then he went on to establish a legendary team with the Patriots.
Since then, this AFC East feud has stayed personal. Jets fans circle Patriots week on their calendars. Every win over New England feels like revenge for years of dominance.
Why it stands out: This is one of those divisional NFL rivalries where records don’t matter. Even if the Jets are struggling, they’ll play their best against the Patriots.
5. Kansas City Chiefs vs. Las Vegas Raiders: The Wild West War
This one’s pure chaos. Chiefs vs. Raiders goes back to the AFL days, before the NFL merger. It’s one of the oldest NFL rivalries, built on bad blood and bold personalities.
The fans? Loud. The hits? Borderline. The energy? Always hostile. Even now, Mahomes vs. the Raiders defense keeps this rivalry alive and unpredictable.
Quick stat:
| Team | Wins | Losses | Ties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City Chiefs | 72 | 54 | 2 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 54 | 72 | 2 |
6. New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles: The NFC East Street Fight
Nothing about this rivalry is polite. Giants vs. Eagles has been nasty for decades. These games are emotional. The Miracle at the Meadowlands. The Miracle at the New Meadowlands. Every season brings a new memory, or heartbreak.
Why it’s iconic: This isn’t just about standings. It’s about hatred. It’s one of the most heated NFL rivalries, year after year.
7. Washington Commanders vs. Dallas Cowboys: America’s Rivalry
Every era of football has seen this matchup define Sundays. Even when Washington’s struggling, these games pull huge ratings. It’s the Cowboys, “America’s Team”, vs. their oldest enemy.
Why it endures: This one started with ownership feuds back in the 1960s and never cooled off. Every Thanksgiving meeting or primetime clash reminds fans why classic NFL rivalries never die.
8. New England Patriots vs. Indianapolis Colts: The Brady vs. Manning Era
Ask any 2000s football fan what game they looked forward to most, it was this. Brady vs. Manning became the symbol of excellence. Patriots vs. Colts wasn’t just football, it was chess. Offense vs. defense. Strategy vs. instinct. Even though both legends retired, this rivalry set the standard for iconic NFL rivalries.
Why it mattered: Every meeting shaped playoff seeds, MVP races, and legacies.
9. Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers: The West Coast War
This one’s more recent but just as fiery. During the early 2010s, these two ruled the NFC West. Pete Carroll vs. Jim Harbaugh. Legion of Boom vs. Kaepernick. Loud, angry, and physical. Today, both teams are strong again. Every game feels like a mini-playoff.
Why fans love it: The energy. The defense. The trash talk. It’s one of the modern NFL rivalries that still delivers classic tension.
10. Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals: The Battle of Ohio
Don’t underestimate this one. It might not have the spotlight, but in Ohio, it’s everything. The Browns and Bengals share a state, and fans who live on the same block still argue about it. Now, with Burrow and a stronger Browns squad, this divisional rivalry is heating up again.
The Fan Perspective: Why Rivalries Hit Harder Than Stats
Here’s what makes rivalries different. You can lose a playoff spot and move on. But lose to your rival? It stings all year.
Fans feel it in their bones. Rivalries aren’t just games, they’re identity. They give meaning to every Monday conversation at work. Every jersey worn. Every grudge remembered.
When players talk about “feeling the energy,” this is what they mean. It’s not the scoreboard, it’s the shared heartbeat between fans and teams who refuse to forget.
Other Great NFL Rivalries Worth Mentioning
A few more deserve a mention:
- Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins: Tropical heat vs. cold toughness.
- Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints: The South’s underrated showdown.
- Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers: Long-running NFC North history.
- Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears: Always physical, always tight.
These may not make the “top ten,” but they shape the NFL’s rivalry DNA.
What Makes a Rivalry Truly Great?
It’s not about trophies or headlines. It’s about hate, and respect. A real rivalry has storylines, revenge, and loyalty. It’s players who remember old hits. Coaches who never forget losses. Fans who never let go.
That’s why the biggest NFL rivalries will always matter. They outlast generations. They remind everyone, this isn’t just football. It’s pride.
FAQs
1. What is the biggest NFL rivalry of all time?
The Packers vs. Bears game holds that title. After more than 200 games and more than 100 years of battle, there are no signs of slowing down.
2. What is the most heated NFL rivalry right now?
Steelers vs. Ravens. The hits are hard, the tension’s real, and neither team ever backs down.
3. What’s the oldest NFL rivalry?
Green Bay vs. Chicago. Started in 1921, it’s football’s longest-running feud.
4. Which NFL rivalries are the best to watch in 2025?
Cowboys vs. 49ers, Chiefs vs. Raiders, and 49ers vs. Seahawks will be must-watch.
5. Why do rivalries matter so much in the NFL?
Because they’re what connect generations. Fans remember wins, losses, and every fight in between. That’s what keeps football alive.
I’m Michael Green, bringing you player profiles, in-depth match analysis, key stats and records, tactical breakdowns, and the top plays that define every game.
