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One of the things that makes sports so great is how storylines form throughout their history. As opponents continue to face off against one another, rivalries form, whether due to proximity, players going from one side to another or otherwise. Given the NFL’s rich history, they are a league with plenty of rivalries, and we’ve shared the ones that we consider to be the biggest in this article.
If we’re discussing the biggest NFL rivalries, it’s only fitting to begin with one that goes back as far as the beginning of the league. The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears are two of the original NFL teams, and they continue to be one of the biggest NFL rivalries.
Of course, it’s been the Packers owning it as of late, given the long tenure of future Hall-of-Fame QB Aaron Rodgers. One of his last wins at Soldier Field even sparked plenty of drama after a touchdown celebration. However, with his departure to the New York Jets two offseasons ago and the Bears having recently drafted QB Caleb Williams with the #1 overall pick in the 2024 Draft, could Chicago begin a streak of their own?
As we wait to find out, the two teams have met a whopping 208 times, with Green Bay having won 107. It’s been quite even, with Chicago having won 95 of them, leaving the other six as ties.
Transitioning from one of the oldest rivalries in sports brings us to one of the most recent. While it may not date back to the early 1900s, the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers quickly proved to be one of the biggest NFL rivalries for physicality and hard-nosed football.
The Ravens have only been a franchise since 1996, but they quickly earned a reputation as one of the toughest teams in history thanks to Ray Lewis and the famous 2001 defense. That championship defense drew comparisons to the Steel Curtain of the 1970s, something Pittsburgh fans were not too fond of.
When these AFC North rivals meet, there are no mixed words for how they feel about one another. The 2024-25 season should bring even more polarizing matchups after young stud Patrick Queen not only chose to leave the Ravens but openly desired to go to Pittsburgh. No matter the stakes at the time, Ravens vs. Steelers games always bring physicality.
In the NFC East, an argument can be made that the rivalries among all four teams can make up an entire list of the biggest NFL rivalries. You could substitute the New York Giants and Washington Commanders for either team above and mismatch them as you see fit. However, we’re sticking with the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles.
Admittedly, these two being the most successful in recent years certainly factors in that decision, but it’s also not the only factor. Dallas and Philly have gatekept one another, and the Giants and Commanders, as the NFC East haven’t seen a repeat champion since 2004. That’s even after the Eagles looked destined to end that streak with their 10-1 start in 2023-24.
The Cowboys’ regular season success is well documented, but it’s the postseason blunders fans are fed up with. Regardless, as for their rivalry with the Eagles, the two have played 130 times. The Cowboys have won the majority with 74 victories, leaving Philly with 56. For what it’s worth, Dallas grabbed many of those wins in 11 years in the late 1960s and 1970s, winning 21 or 23 matchups.
They aren’t labeled as America’s team for no reason. The Cowboys are on our list of the biggest NFL rivalries yet again, but this time, with a team outside the NFC East. We mentioned some further back history with the Eagles, and this rivalry with the San Francisco 49ers was the most prominent in the 1980s.
Given that this isn’t a divisional rivalry, it should be no surprise that this is one of the biggest NFL rivalries, thanks to playoff matchups. Of course, that makes the games even more meaningful and memorable. These franchises have met in the postseason nine times and have been about as even as it gets – Dallas holds a slight 5-4 edge. It’s also worth noting that both these franchises have five Super Bowl wins, tied for the second-most in NFL history.
Mark has been a lifelong fan of all sports, and five years ago turned it into a profession, specializing in the NFL, NHL and MLB. He is a diehard Baltimore Ravens fan and has had his work published in sites such as Sports Illustrated, Pickswise and other top outlets.