Hello! Most gentle readers would concur that there is little entertainment that can quite equal a great rivalry, and the NFL has, of course, been home to some of the greatest. Whether they are old scores or new wars, rivalry escalates the field’s energy in a way that can give fans something else to anticipate.
Now that quite a bit has been said about the tradition of the NFL, let’s try to delve into some of the most entertaining NFL rivalries ever. Which one of them do you think is most intense?
Let’s dive in!
Green Bay Packers at the Chicago Bears
- The NFL’s Oldest Rivalry: This is the NFL rivalry which began back in 1921.
- Battles for Division Dominance: These NFC North teams worrying about the same place in the division often engage each other.
- Memorable Moments: Fights, extraordinary plays, and even tragedies that could occur during the Packers and Bears games are worth discussing.
Pittsburgh Steelers Versus Baltimore Ravens
- Physicality and Intensity: This one is known to be rough contact, and when it comes to games, it is among the roughest in the league.
- Defensive Showdowns: The two defenses are very stingy, so these games’ prevailing theme is intensity and physicality.
- Playoff Clashes: It is outstanding that both teams most often battle for the playoffs; hence, the game is unpredictable and always charges.
The Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders
- A Classic NFC East Rivalry: These teams have been close rivals since the 1960s and belong to the most heard intense rivalry at the NFL.
- Cultural Impact: These supporters’ frenzied tribes have made this grievance as much a duel of fans as the players themselves, at least until lately.
- Epic Showdowns: It’s always entertaining when Cowboys and Commanders collide, whether it’s Thanksgiving Day brawls or those slate-change playoff games.
49ers Vs Cowboys
- Dominating the NFC in the 80s and 90s: These two vied for the NFC title, especially during the 1980s and early and mid-1990s.
- Playoff Battles: They clashed several times in the postseason, including NFC championship games that made their encounter determine the winner of the Super Bowl.
New England Patriots vs. New York Jets
- Controversial Moments: Kellen and Tom have been going at it off the field since the ‘Spygate’ scandal and some of the biggest trickery upsets on the field.
- Iconic Matchups: A lot of thrilling Tom Brady and the Patriots-Jets matchups for the fans to remember.
New York Giants against the Philadelphia Eagles
- NFC East Showdown: Both these teams share one of the most intense ‘rivalries’ in the history of the NFC East, the story goes back to 1933.
- Fan Passion: Eagles and Giants fan bases possess a special hate, which makes the games more competitive.
- Memorable Plays: The visible memory of this rivalry is none more apparent than the “Miracle at the Meadowlands.”
Conclusion
NFL rivalries enhance the excitement of each game since they incorporate more than just the game; history and passion drive the competition of rival teams. These rivalries keep the fans engaged, produce dramatic episodes and moments that will go down in history, and put much into play for players on the ground.
Which rivalries will make the next moment in NFL history that fans will discuss?