longest nfl rivalry

They were not scheduled to play each other in 1922 and both meetings were canceled in 1982 due to the NFLPA strike, making the Lions–Packers rivalry the longest continuous rivalry in the NFL (the Packers and Detroit Lions have played each other at least twice a season since 1932).
Postseason results: List: December 14, 1941; …
Longest win streak: Bears, 8 (1985–88); Packe…
Latest meeting: December 12, 2021; Packers …
All-time series: Packers, 103–95–6

Top 15 NFL team rivalries of all-time

The Packers and Bears are one of the NFL’s most famous rivalries. Photo from TMJ4.
In the NFL, the standings matter, but it’s always the biggest NFL rivalries that get the most attention. There are certain matchups where you can throw out the records because it comes down to who hates the other team the most.

The greatest NFL rivalries of all time are truly transcendent. They have history and hatred with one another that goes back for decades. Of course, there are plenty of matchups where that intensity exists, making it tough to separate some of the top rivalries in NFL history.
Biggest NFL rivalries of all-time
It wasn’t easy, but we looked at the most hated NFL teams, the longest-running rivalries, and the teams that can’t stop playing intense and meaningful games against one another.

We managed to come up with a list of the biggest NFL rivalries in the history of the NFL.

Falcons vs Panthers
While this is a relatively new rivalry, things have heated up quickly ever since the Panthers came into existence in 1995. The two cities are only a few hours apart, which means that every game has fans from both teams, almost creating a college bowl game atmosphere.

That proximity, as well as the two annual meetings, have quietly turned this into one of the league’s top rivalries.

Vikings vs Packers
It’s no coincidence that this game usually finds its way into a primetime TV slot. While the rivalry dates back to 1961, things picked up in the 21st century when the Vikings became the biggest threat to Green Bay’s superiority over the rest of the division.

In fact, the Vikings have long been a thorn in the side of the Packers, and matchups in this rivalry often have relevance in the playoff race, which has also added to the intensity of this rivalry over the years.

Bengals vs Steelers
Historically, this rivalry hasn’t been among the most noteworthy in the NFL. But things have gotten downright dirty between these teams in recent years, which has led them to absolutely hate each other.

Unfortunately, things have crossed the line at times, which is why this rivalry has to be listed among the best in the NFL.

Broncos vs Raiders
There have been moments in this rivalry when it was the most hate-filled in the NFL. There have been more than a few times when things got heated to the point of getting out of control.

Keep in mind that both franchises have spent plenty of time among the elite teams in the AFC, so there is usually something meaningful on the line when they meet, adding to the intensity between these long-time division rivals.

Bears battle for top spot on all-time list

The definition of a rivalry is a “competition for the same objective or for superiority in the same field.” But beyond competing for the same prize, rivalries often include high intensity and bad blood on both sides of the field. They also typically include passionate fan bases that desperately want to hold bragging rights over the opposition.

While there have been a host of compelling playoff rivalries that have developed over the years, the NFL’s longest rivalries have been divisional matchups. The frequency in which the teams play one another, along with the rivalries that have developed with competing cities, has helped make several divisional matchups some of the best rivalries the league has to offer.

With the start of the 2020 season just around the corner, we decided to look back at the NFL’s 10 greatest division rivalries. We are limiting each team to one rivalry on this list.

10. Chargers vs. Broncos
    Overall series lead: Broncos, 68-52-1
    Playoff series lead: Broncos, 1-0
    Longest winning streak: 7 (Broncos, 1975-78)

One of the AFL’s best teams during the league’s first several seasons, the Chargers, winners of the 1963 AFL championship, posted a 15-5 record against the Broncos prior to the AFL-NFL merger of 1970. The Chargers, who appeared in five AFL title games during a six-year span, were led by Hall of Fame receiver Lance Allworth, who led the AFL in receiving yards and touchdown receptions on three different occasions.

Denver flipped the rivalry on its head in the ’70s, winning 11 of 12 games during one stretch that included a series sweep of the Chargers en route to their first Super Bowl appearance in 1977. The Broncos’ “Orange Crush” defense, led by Tom Jackson, Lyle Alzado and Randy Gradishar, would eventually have its hands full with the Chargers’ “Air Coryell” offense, led by quarterback Dan Fouts, John Jefferson, Charlie Joyner and Kellen Winslow. With its offense leading the way, San Diego won seven of 10 matchups against Denver from 1978-82 while making consecutive trips to the AFC title game in 1980 and 1981.

The arrival of John Elway in Denver in 1983 shifted the balance of power back to Denver, who went 22-10 against the Chargers during Elway’s 16 seasons with the Broncos. While the Broncos became one of the NFL’s most consistent winners with Elway at quarterback (Denver won three AFC titles in the ’80s before winning their first two Super Bowl titles in 1997 and ’98), the Chargers also tasted some success during that time, winning four of six games against Denver from 1992-95 while punching the franchise’s first Super Bowl ticket in 1994. The Chargers’ best player during this time was linebacker Junior Seau, who earned induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015.

Denver continued having the upper hand in this series until Philip Rivers became the Chargers’ starting quarterback in 2006. With Rivers, Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson, tight end Antonio Gates and linebacker Shawne Merriman, San Diego won nine of its 11 games against the Broncos from 2006-11. Denver flipped the script after signing Peyton Manning during the 2012 offseason, as Manning’s Broncos won eight of their nine matchups against San Diego that included their 2013 playoff victory over Rivers and the Chargers. This rivalry should be one to keep an eye on in the coming years, with both teams ushering in new eras with Drew Lock and Justin Herbert under center.

9. Falcons vs. Saints
   Overall series lead: Falcons, 53-49
   Longest series winning streak: 10 (Falcons, 1995-99)

While this matchup has typically failed to generate national attention, the Falcons-Saints rivalry has been one of the NFL’s most intense matchups since the teams began playing each other in 1967. Despite nine- and 10-game winning streaks, the Falcons only have four more wins in this series, as the Saints have made significant headway since hiring Sean Payton in 2006 and acquiring quarterback Drew Brees during the same offseason. Since then, the Saints are 18-9 against the Falcons, including wins in four of their last five matchups. Atlanta has had its moments against New Orleans in recent years, however, as the Falcons’ 2016 Super Bowl run included a season sweep of the Saints.

The most famous game between the two teams took place in 2006, when the Saints, playing their first game in the Superdome since Hurricane Katrina, defeated Michael Vick and the Falcons on “Monday Night Football.” Steve Gleason’s blocked punt, which resulted in the game’s first touchdown, spearheaded the Saints to a 24-3 win that galvanized the entire state of Louisiana. The win also signaled the start of the greatest run of success in franchise history, as the Saints would advance to the NFC Championship Game that season before winning their first Super Bowl three years later.

Payton and Brees helped turn around a rivalry that had been dominated by the Falcons during the previous decade, specifically from 1995-99. The Falcons, led by quarterback Chris Chandler, running back Jamal Anderson, receivers Tony Martin and Terance Mathis, linebacker Jessie Tuggle and cornerback Ray Buchanan, swept the Saints during the ’98 regular season en route to advancing to the franchise’s first Super Bowl.

8. Bills vs. Dolphins
   Overall series lead: Dolphins, 61-50-1
   Playoff series lead: Bills, 3-1
   Longest winning streak: 20 (Dolphins, 1970-79)

An old AFL rivalry, the Dolphins won just three of their first eight matchups against the Bills before Don Shula arrived in Miami in 1970. The arrival of Shula marked the beginning of the Dolphins’ dynasty as well as their decade-long dominance over the Bills, as Miami did not lose a single game against Buffalo from 1970-79. The Dolphins, who won two Super Bowls and three AFC championships over that span, were a major reason why O.J. Simpson and the Bills made just one playoff appearance during the decade.

The Dolphins continued to control the rivalry until the late ’80s, when the Bills, led by head coach Marv Levy and fellow Hall of Famers Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, Andre Reed and Bruce Smith, went 17-4 against the Dolphins from 1987-1995. While Buffalo won four AFC titles over that span, it also played a significant role in denying Shula and Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino from making a return trip to the Super Bowl after appearing in the big game together in January of ’85. The Bills won all three of their playoff matchups over the Dolphins during this span that included an upset win over Miami in the 1992 AFC Championship Game. Marino and company did get a little payback in the 1998 playoffs, with the Dolphins edging the Bills in overtime in the wild card round.

Both teams have pretty much traded wins over the past two decades, with Buffalo holding a 22-18 advantage during this millennium. With Tom Brady now out of New England, the Dolphins and Bills should have more opportunities to play each other with division title and playoff implications on the line over the next several years.

7. 49ers vs. Rams
   Overall series lead: 49ers, 71-67-3
   Playoff series lead: 49ers, 1-0
   Longest winning streak: 17 (49ers, 1990-99)

These two teams began playing on an annual basis in 1950, and while the rivalry lost some steam after the Rams moved from Los Angeles to St. Louis in 1995, things have picked up since the Rams returned to the City of Angels in 2016. Since 2017, the Rams have been one of the league’s most successful teams, winning two division titles and an NFC title over that span. The 49ers have also emerged as one of the NFL’s elite teams, as they swept the Rams in 2019 before winning the franchise’s first NFC crown since 2012. Led by young coaches in Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay, the 49ers and Rams should continue to battle for divisional and NFC supremacy over the next several years.

In the 1960s, the 49ers, led by perennial Pro Bowl quarterback John Brodie, and the Rams, who were led by their famed “Fearsome Foursome” defensive line, traded wins while denying each other the chance at competing with the Packers for NFL championships. The Rams began to take control of the rivalry in the late ’60s, as they went 23-3-1 against the 49ers from 1967-80. Led by Hall of Famers Jack Youngblood and Jackie Slater, the Rams won eight consecutive division titles from 1973-80 that included a thrilling battle (albeit in a losing effort) against the Steelers in Super Bowl XIV.

While the Rams continued to field very successful — and talented — teams in the 1980s, they were no match for the 49ers who, under Hall of Fame head coach Bill Walsh, became one of the greatest teams in pro football history. With Joe Montana under center, Jerry Rice on the outside, Roger Craig in the backfield and Ronnie Lott manning the defense, the 49ers won four Super Bowls over a nine-year span while compiling a 13-8 record over the Rams during the ’80s. San Francisco’s run of success over Los Angeles during this span included its 30-3 win over the Rams in the ’89 NFC title game, the first and only postseason matchup between these two teams.

The 49ers’ dominance over the Rams continued into the 1990s, with San Francisco winning 17 straight games over their divisional foe while adding one more Lombardi Trophy to their collection in 1994. The Rams, however, turned the tables in 1999, sweeping the 49ers before winning the franchise’s first Lombardi Trophy. In a documentary about the ’99 Rams, former Rams quarterback Kurt Warner said the team’s first win over the Rams that season convinced his team that they were indeed good enough to compete for a Super Bowl that season.

6. Jets vs. Patriots
   Overall series lead: Patriots, 67-54-1
   Playoff series lead: Patriots, 2-1
   Longest winning streak: 9 (Jets, 1966-70)

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