Iconic Clashes, Bad Blood, and Moments That Shaped the Fiercest Rivalries in NFL History
Some Duels that Define the League
The NFL was founded in 1920, and through more than a century of dramatic wins, painful losses, and unforgettable moments, one thing has stayed constant: rivalries.
The best NFL rivalries are built from geography, bad blood, repeated postseason clashes, and a whole lot of pride. Nothing fuels fan passion quite like beating a team you absolutely cannot stand.
If you’re talking about neighborhood feuds or battles with Super Bowl implications, these matchups add gasoline to every NFL season. Stadiums shake, friendships break, and bragging rights can last a lifetime.
Below, we take a closer look at the best NFL rivalries of all time, along with a few that are defining the league right now.
Best NFL Rivalries of All Time
Bears vs. Packers
If there’s a rivalry that defines football culture, it’s this one. Bears vs. Packers began way back in 1921, and the two teams have faced off more than any others in league history — 210 meetings and counting. The Packers currently lead the series 106–96, with a 1–1 split in playoff matchups.
The names associated with this rivalry read like a Hall of Fame roll call: Curly Lambeau, Vince Lombardi, George Halas, and later, big personalities like Brian Urlacher and Aaron Rodgers.
There have been plenty of bruising battles, but one of the most iconic came in the 2010 NFC Championship at Soldier Field, where the Packers punched their ticket to the Super Bowl and won it all.
Chicago’s famously miserable weather has also added to the drama, like the December 22, 2008, matchup played with a wind chill of –13 degrees. Games like that feel less like football and more like a survival game.
Steelers vs. Ravens
If we’re talking best current NFL rivalries, this is the headliner. It doesn’t stretch back a hundred years — the Ravens joined the league in 1996 — but the intensity is unmatched. These teams hit harder, talk louder, and leave the field with bruises that last weeks.
Geography plays a role, too: Pittsburgh and Baltimore fans travel, and both stadiums turn hostile fast. Their games in 2008 and 2010 gave us two unforgettable finishes: a Troy Polamalu pick-six to send Pittsburgh to the Super Bowl, and a late Joe Flacco touchdown that helped Baltimore sweep the season series.
Cowboys vs. 49ers
If you watched football in the 1990s, this was war. From 1992–1994, the Cowboys and 49ers met in three straight NFC Championship games, and every winner went on to win the Super Bowl.
Legends defined these matchups — Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith — and coaches like Tom Landry, Bill Walsh, and Jimmy Johnson added fuel. The rivalry’s most iconic moment came earlier, in 1981, when “The Catch” finally pushed San Francisco past Dallas and into the Super Bowl spotlight.
Broncos vs. Raiders
These teams have been trading punches since the AFL days. They’ve faced off 20 times on Monday Night Football, the most frequent MNF matchup in league history. The Raiders lead the series 73-57-2, and the playoff meetings sit at 1-1. The hatred here runs deep — fanbases included.
Who Has the Noisiest Fans in the NFL?
Crowd volume is a huge ingredient in rivalry culture. Ask any quarterback who’s tried to make an audible inside Arrowhead.
Chiefs fans hold the record at 142.2 decibels, earning Kansas City a reputation as the loudest house in football. When evaluating NFL futures via BetUS Sportsbook, details like crowd noise can significantly change the outcome.
What is the Most Violent Rivalry in the NFL?
Right now, Bills vs. Chiefs may be the most explosive rivalry in the league. Kansas City has slammed the door on Buffalo’s Super Bowl dreams multiple times — four elimination games, including two AFC Championships. On the field, tempers flare. Off the field, Bills Mafia throws more than just folding tables.
Where Rivalries Go From Here
Rivalries evolve, just like the league. New stars take over, dynasties collapse, and heroes become villains overnight. That’s the beauty of football — it’s never still.
Whether you’re into the history or the live action, one thing’s certain: the best NFL rivalries aren’t just games. They’re emotional earthquakes that shake stadiums, families, and cities.
What rivalry do you think deserves to be on this list?