The Top 5 Fiercest NFL Rivalries of All Time

The National Football League has many major franchises with a long history of strong performance and top-notch players. From the league-dominating Green Bay Packers to storied powerhouses like the Pittsburgh Steelers, the league features many teams that deliver some of the most exhilarating matchups in professional sports. While the list of the top fiercest NFL teams is long, we put together our top five of the best of the best rivalries among these top teams in the league. 

You’ll definitely want to catch these top rivalries (and more) in person at some point. 

Being able to root for your favorite team as they compete against their arch-nemesis is a truly unforgettable experience.

NFL History 

Before we get into the particulars of the NFL’s current top rivalries, let’s go back in time a bit. The NFL, also known as the National Football League, didn’t always exist. Prior to the NFL, athletes competed without an agreed-upon set of official rules. 

When the NFL was founded in 1920, the organization was called the American Professional Football Association. (The organization didn’t change its name to the one we know today until 1922.)

The early years of the NFL were rough — marked by instability and constant pressure from competitor leagues like the American Football League. Early on, the NFL struggled to make money and gain notoriety, but this changed after the American Football League folded. 

It wasn’t until the 1960s that the American Football League returned to the professional football scene and once again competed for resources with the NFL. Unlike last time, though, the two organizations agreed on a merger in 1966, with the AFL’s teams transferring to the NFL and all teams competing in the NFL’s Super Bowl by the 1970s. 

NFL Divisions 

The NFL has eight geographical divisions, each consisting of four teams. NFC divisions stand for the National Football Conference divisions, while the AFC divisions stand for the American Football Conference divisions. 

NFC East

• Dallas Cowboys
• New York Giants
• Philadelphia Eagles
• Washington Football Team (the Commanders)

NFC North

• Chicago Bears
• Detroit Lions
• Green Bay Packers
• Minnesota Vikings

NFC West

• Arizona Cardinals
• Los Angeles Rams
• San Francisco 49ers
• Seattle Seahawks

NFC South

• Atlanta Falcons
• Carolina Panthers
• New Orleans Saints
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers

AFC East

• Buffalo Bills
• Miami Dolphins
• New England Patriots
• New York Jets

AFC North

• Baltimore Ravens
• Cincinnati Bengals
• Cleveland Browns
• Pittsburgh Steelers

AFC South 

• Houston Texans
• Indianapolis Colts
• Jacksonville Jaguars
• Tennessee Titans

AFC West 

• Denver Broncos
• Kansas City Chiefs
• Las Vegas Raiders
• Los Angeles Chargers

Check out our list of the top five fiercest NFL rivalries of all time:

1. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens

Steelers and Ravens History 

The Steelers began play in the 1930s. The Pittsburgh Steelers play their home games at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. The stadium has a seating capacity of about 68,000, which makes it smaller than the average football stadium in the United States. 

The Pittsburgh Steelers claimed their first Super Bowl victory in 1975. The Steelers soon made a name for themselves as the only team to win back-to-back Super Bowl titles and the first to win four Super Bowls. 

The Baltimore Ravens began as a Cleveland team before moving to Baltimore and starting play in 1996, the same year the rivalry between the Steelers and the Ravens began. The Ravens started off with a high after beating the Cincinnati Bengals in their first game. The following years saw the Ravens take home a division title and see them appear in the NFL playoffs. They won their first Super Bowl title in 2001. 

The Baltimore Ravens play their home games at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. The stadium is around the average size of a football stadium, with a seating capacity of more than 70,000. 

Steelers vs. Ravens Rivalry History 

The Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens rivalry began in 1996, when the Steelers handed the newly minted NFL team a solid defeat. The rivalry remains one of the NFL’s fiercest; both passionate fans and super-dedicated athletes help keep it alive. That time when head coach Mike Tomlin decided to interfere with a kickoff and was fined heavily also helped keep the flame of this rivalry burning. 

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens Season Updates 

The Pittsburgh Steelers finished the previous season with underwhelming results with a 9-8 record. The Baltimore Ravens did somewhat better, closing the season with a 10-7 record. 

Overall, the Ravens finished a step above the Steelers, who finished slightly above the Cleveland Browns. The Bengals finished the 2022 season as the AFC North division’s leader. 

2. Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears

Packers and Bears History 

Like the Packers, the Chicago Bears are one of the NFL’s oldest and longest-running franchises. The team plays its home games at Soldier Field. In just 74 years, the Chicago Bears earned their place as a heavy-hitting team with a 586-384-42 record. 

Packers vs. Bears Rivalry History 

Since they formed, the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears have met more than 200 times, allowing ample fertile ground for this rivalry to develop. Early on in the teams’ rivalry, the Chicago Bears claimed several victories over the Packers, gaining a series lead that the Packers surpassed in 2017. 

The Packers vs. Bears rivalry is one of the most enduring and entertaining. The proximity between these two teams also helps keep the rivalry alive. 

Recent Packers vs. Bears matchups include a 2020 game that occurred at Lambeau Field. The 2020 game saw the Bears take a defeat. Likewise, a December 2021 game at Soldier Field saw another Chicago Bears defeat. 

Packers vs. Chicago Bears Season Updates

The Packers and the Bears finished last in the NFC North division, with one of their top rivals, the Minnesota Vikings, coming out on top as the division’s leader. While the Packers are one of the NFL’s strongest teams, their 2022 season performance was disappointing to many longtime fans. 

The Bears, by contrast, finished this season with a very underwhelming 3-14 record. The Chicago Bears have what it takes to meet the Packers head-on, but to do so, the team will have to make significant changes to its performance. 

3. Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders

Cowboys History and Washington Commanders History

The Cowboys got their start in the 1960s as part of one of the AFL’s charter teams. The Commanders, formerly known as the Redskins, began play in the 1930s. 

Cowboys vs. Commanders Rivalry History 

The Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants rivalry dates back to the 1960s, when the teams first competed at Yankee Stadium. In total, the teams met more than 120 times. 

Cowboys vs. Commanders Season Updates 

The Dallas Cowboys had a good season, finishing with a 12-5 record, placing them just under the NFC East division leader. Without a doubt, the Cowboys remain one of the top NFC East teams to watch in the upcoming season. 

On the other hand, the Washington Commanders had a less-than-spectacular season this time around, finishing last in their division with a record of 8-8-1. If the Commanders can patch up their weak points and leverage their top players, the team stands a chance to compete against the Cowboys.

4. New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Giants and Eagles History

The Giants got their start around the same time as the Eagles did and won their first Super Bowl title in 1987. 

The Eagles began play in the 1930s. After going through a rough patch, the Eagles bounced back under Coach Dick Vermeil, who led the team to its first Super Bowl appearance in the 1980s. 

Giants vs. Eagles Rivalry History 

The Giants vs. Eagles rivalry is one of the fiercest in the NFL, dating back to the 1930s. Even though both teams are among the league’s strongest historically, the Eagles lead this series and often dominate their division. 

Giants vs. Eagles Current Season Updates

The 2022 season was a rough one for the New York Giants, who finished second-to-last in the NFC East, just a step above the Commanders. On the other hand, the Philadelphia Eagles came out on top, leading their division with a 14-3 record.

This proves that the Eagles are more than ready to be one of the upcoming season’s top contenders. If the Giants want to stay relevant, they’ll have to step up their game in order to bring the Eagles down a notch. 

5. New England Patriots vs. New York Jets

Patriots and Jets History 

The Patriots are an NFL team known for consistently solid performances. 

Like the Patriots, the Jets also began play in the 1960s as part of the AFL’s charter teams. 

Patriots vs. New York Jets Rivalry History 

The rivalry between the Patriots and the New York Jets began in the 1960s with a series of trades and coaching issues, such as when Bill Belichick famously signed with the Jets and then joined the Patriots just a day later. 

Patriots vs. Jets Current Season Updates 

The Patriots and the New York Jets had underwhelming seasons, finishing the year at the bottom of the AFC East. The Patriots came out on top, beating the New York Jets’ 7-10 record with their own 8-9 record. 

The two rivals fell to the resurgent Buffalo Bills, which saw a season record of 13-3. By all accounts, the Patriots stand to make a comeback. If they can address their weaknesses and develop smart strategies, the Patriots and the Jets might stand a chance of becoming contenders in the upcoming season. 

NFL Events and Game Tickets 

Now that you know our top five fiercest NFL rivalries, you might want to find out how to get NFL tickets to the next upcoming game. The upcoming season is sure to be one of the best, so get your tickets while they’re still available. 

If you love football (concerts, comedy specials, or live events of any kind) but hate paying extra or hidden fees — you’re not alone. TickPick had enough too. Since 2012, we’ve saved our customers over $100 million dollars. Thanks to our BestPrice Guarantee and no extra fees of any kind, going to events large and small has never been more affordable. 

Get started with the TickPick App: Simply scan the QR code or download it on the App Store or Google Play. Find the best deals, see 360-degree views of your seat before you buy, and use your digital ticket for guaranteed entry (as promised by the BuyerTrust Guarantee). 

Get a $10 credit when you create an account with TickPick and find your next event worth celebrating.