15 NFL Rivalry That Dates Back To 1900s

Few rivalries in NFL history carry the weight and passion of the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. Dating back to 1921, these teams have played the most games against each other in league history (207). The passionate fan base adds an extra layer of enthusiasm to each clash.

Historically, the Bears built their success on a strong defensive foundation, exemplified by the legendary 'Monsters of the Midway.' Conversely, the Packers have been blessed with exceptional quarterbacks, specifically Bart Starr, Brett Favre, and Aaron Rodgers.

Initially, the big-city Bears dominated the small-town Packers' with 76 wins while their opponent managed to sneak in 57 wins. But, since the 1990s, the tables have turned in the Packers' favor.

They lead the all-time series with 106 wins. Green Bay is currently on a nine-game winning streak with the September 11, 2023 win by 38-20.

The Chicago Bears and New York Giants share a rich, storied rivalry dating back to December 6, 1925. Their history boasts 63 meetings, with the Bears leading the contest with 36-25-2. Notably, they faced off in six NFL Championship Games (pre-Super Bowl era), with Chicago winning four.

The rivalry intensified during the 1980s and 90s, with both teams featuring iconic figures like Dan Hampton, Mike Singletary, Walter Payton, Lawrence Taylor, and Phil Simms.

Today, the rivalry remains fiercely competitive, with close, low-scoring games often deciding the winner. The Giants narrowly edged the Bears 20-12 in their last meeting on October 2, 2022.

Though their championship battles are old tales, the Bears-Giants rivalry continues to fascinate fans with its intensity, tradition, and surprising nature.

Though separated by 300 miles, the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers have clashed 81 times. The all-time series is led by the Eagles with a 49-29-3 record.

Their history is rich with legendary moments, including the first meeting on November 19, 1933. Philadelphia excelled over Pittsburgh by 25-6. However, the Steelers fought back and won five successive games from 1936 to 1937.

Conversely, the Eagles dominated their opposition in the 1940s, winning seven consecutive encounters, including the 1948 and 1949 NFL Championships.

The two were placed in different conferences in 1970. While their paths rarely cross, the animosity burns bright. The Eagles and Steelers stand as symbols of grit, determination, and passionate fanbases.

The two have played twice in the 2010s and 2020s sharing two wins a piece. Both have won on their home turf but couldn't conquer the opposition on the away soil.

The Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders boast one of the NFL's most historic and volatile rivalries dating back to 1934.

Their 180-game history is riddled with unforgettable moments, from the notorious 'Body Bag Game' in 1990, where Eagles injured nine Redskins players, to the 'Monday Night Massacre' of 2010 when the Eagles dropped 59 points on the Redskins in three-quarters.

Despite Washington's slight advantage in the all-time series (89-84-6), Philadelphia has overwhelmed their opponent in recent encounters. They won 11 of the last 14 meetings. This includes a thrilling 38-31 victory in their most recent matchup on October 29, 2023.

The 2024 season will witness a resurrection of the feud. The Eagles are hoping to preserve their supremacy and the Commanders are expecting to exact retribution and take back the top spot in the NFC East. More drama, excitement, and maybe another "Body Bag Game"-worthy contest will unfold in the future.

The rivalry between the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers is a tale of two extremes: Packers supremacy and Lions anguish. From their first encounter on November 2, 1930, Green Bay set their authority winning 12 of the next 18 games.

In their 189-game history, the Packers have dominated, holding a staggering 106-76-7 edge.

Despite the lopsided record, the rivalry has produced several memorable moments. In 1952 and 1953, the Lions roared, capturing consecutive NFL titles. They were on a ten-game winning streak.

However, these moments are overshadowed by the Packers' sustained success. Legendary quarterbacks like Bart Starr and Aaron Rodgers have tormented the Lions, leaving them with just one playoff win since 1957.

In recent years, the rivalry has seen a shift. The Lions, led by young stars like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Aidan Hutchinson and a capable head coach Dan Campbell, have opened the floodgates. They have registered four wins in the last six outings.

The Browns-Steelers rivalry is a titan of the NFL, overflowing with history, drama, and gritty football. They have played 144 games since 1950, and their record shows both domination and hopelessness, with the Steelers holding a strong 81-63-1 lead.

The 1970s saw the Steelers build the Steel Curtain, a defensive dynasty that intimidated their opposition and earned them four Super Bowl titles. This era cemented Pittsburgh's dominance, leaving Cleveland clueless.

However, the Browns have had their moments, particularly in the 1980s when they captured three AFC Central titles. One of the most memorable plays in the Browns history is the notorious 'Red Right 88' play from 1980, in which Brian Sipe's Hail Mary pass decided the game.

The rivalry amplified with the arrival of Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh in 2004. During his tenure, the Steelers overpowered the Browns, winning 29 of 37 encounters, including a 17-game winning streak at the Heinz Field.

The Browns are yet to dominate the Steelers and gain the upper hand in this 73-year-old animosity.

The rivalry between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams is a battle for NFC West supremacy.

It all started on October 1, 1950, when the two teams had their first encounter. Since then, they have had 149 epic encounters where the 49ers have edged out the Rams with a 78-68-3 record.

The early years saw the Rams' dominance winning 22 games in 40 encounters. They won ten successive matches from 1970 to 1975.

However, with the change of the decade, the 49ers fought back and dominated the 1980s and 1990s. The 49ers dynasty, fueled by Joe Montana and Jerry Rice secured a decisive 30-3 victory over the Rams in the 1989 NFC Championship Game.

Their most recent meeting on September 18, 2023, saw the 49ers emerge victorious, 30-23, in a hard-fought contest. With both teams striving for deep playoff runs, the rivalry heads towards more captivating chapters.

Ever since they began competing in 1933, the Eagles and Giants have faced off 187 times. The Eagles have earned bragging rights with a 93-88-2 record in the clash of titans of the NFC East.

The Giants overwhelmed the Eagles winning 11 consecutive games between 1933 and 1943. But in the 1940s, under Tommy Thompson's leadership, the Eagles upset the Giants three straight seasons and won two NFL Championships, turning the tide.

The rivalry has seen numerous legendary figures grace the field, from Steve Van Buren and Frank Gifford for the Giants to Chuck Bednarik and Reggie White for the Eagles.

Since the turn of the millennium, the Eagles haven't given the Giants an inch-worth advantage and have held onto their supremacy. They have won 34 of the last 50 games since 2000.

The Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders rivalry electrifies the AFC West and captivates fans across the NFL. Their 128-game history, dating back to 1960, is led by the Chiefs (73-54-2).

The two have been rivals since the AFL Western Division days. The rivalry heightened in the 1970s with the arrival of Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt and Raiders head coach John Madden.

This era saw legendary games, including the 'Ghost to the Post' pass in 1977 and the "'Holy Roller' fumble in 1978, further fueling the animosity.

While the Raiders dominated the early years, winning three Super Bowls, the Chiefs arose as AFC West powerhouses in the 1990s. Since 2015, the Chiefs have monopolized the rivalry, winning 15 of the last 17 meetings.

The Washington Commanders and the Dallas Cowboys' 127-game history dates back to 1960 It is filled with iconic moments and close contests.

The Cowboys edge past the Commanders with a 77-48-2 record, but the hostility between the two teams runs far deeper than mere numbers.

Roger Staubach and Tom Landry helped Dallas dominate the early years, registering a 10-7-2 record in the 1960s. However, the offensive wizardry of Joe Gibbs and the defensive savvy of 'The Hogs' pushed Washington to prominence in the 1970s and 1980s.

Each team has also experienced moments of heartbreak and triumph, such as the Cowboys' Super Bowl XXX win in 1996 and the Commanders' upset victory in the 1982 NFC Championship Game.

The Cowboys have dominated the recent trend, holding an 18-9 record against the Commanders since 2010. This includes a decisive 45-10 victory in their most recent matchup on November 15, 2023.

The Cowboys-Eagles rivalry embodies the spirit of the NFC East where each battle is a war for supremacy. Their history dates back to 1960 and since then, the two have met 129 times.

Despite the Cowboys' slight lead in the all-time series (73-56), both teams experienced periods of dominance. The Cowboys were a dominant force in the 1970s, highlighted by Roger Staubach's Super Bowl XII victory.

Likewise, the Eagles countered with their golden age in the 1980s, powered by Reggie White and Randall Cunningham.

Since 2000, Philadelphia has helped the upper hand winning 25 games compared to Dallas's 23 wins.

The Cowboys-Eagles rivalry is more than just numbers; it's a cultural phenomenon. From the storied 'Bounty Bowl' match in 1989 to the scandalous 'Miracle at the Meadowlands' in 2010, this match has left NFL history with remarkable experiences.

The Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots rivalry is a tale of two eras. For two decades (the 2000s and 2010s), the Patriots reigned supreme, winning 35 of 45 fixtures and establishing an AFC East dynasty.

Much of the credit goes to the Brady-Belichick era where the Patriots created a dynasty and won six Super Bowls.

But the winds of change have swept through Orchard Park, and the Bills are back with a vengeance.

Since 2020, the Bills have won 6 of 8 encounters. This shift is fueled by Josh Allen's dynamic arm and a capable young core, while the post-Brady Patriots are still searching for their identity.

However, the Patriots are miles ahead in the all-time series record of 78-49-1. The Bills will need something similar to the Brady-Belichick era to close the gap.

The Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns share a close rivalry that stretches back to 1970. The two have met 100 times where the Bengals are in the driving seat with a 52-48 record.

Geographical closeness and the common enthusiasm of Ohio football fans drive the Bengals-Browns rivalry. From the infamous 'Bungled Snap' game in 2008 to the thrilling 37-44 Bengals victory in 2020, this rivalry has produced unforgettable moments.

Cincinnati has been putting winning records in the last two decades (the 2000s and 2010s) where they won 25 and lost 15.

But, the win of change has arrived for the Browns who have pulled a 6-1 record since 2020.

The Colts have played the Patriots 84 times since 1970. The all-time series has been led by the Patriots with a 53-31 record.

Initially, the Colts appeared supreme winning six of the first eight games between 1970 to 1973. The 1970s ended with a Colts lead of 11-9.

From the 1980s to the 2010s, the Patriots changed the entire complexion and pulled the stats to their favor. From 2010 to 2018, they went on an eight-match winning streak.

The Colts-Patriots rivalry is also highlighted by the Tom Brady-Peyton Manning rivalry, where the two battled to be the best signal caller of the game.

The rivalry is a battle of fan bases, with the passionate 'Horsepower' facing off against the loyal 'Patriot Nation.' It's a scrabble for AFC superiority, with both teams determined to claim their rightful place atop the conference.

Since 1960, the Denver Broncos and the Las Vegas Raiders have clashed 128 times, where the latter has reigned superior with a 72-54-2 record.

This rivalry has seen numerous legendary figures grace the field, from John Elway and John Madden to Peyton Manning and Khalil Mack.

The earlier decades saw the terror of the Raiders over the Broncos with a 29-10-2 record. In the 1980s and 1990s, Denver tried pulling their weight but ended up being the second-best team with a 19-21 record.

However, the wind of change arrived in the 2000s for the Broncos. In the next two decades, they won 25 while losing 15.

But, the recent results have reverted to the old era as the Raiders have won all seven games since 2020.