1. Packers vs Bears (Packers lead 14-6)
These two teams together have everything that defines a rivalry - history, tradition,
longevity, and controversy. They started in 1922, and have continued to this day. In
the early years Chicago always came out on top under legendary George Halas, until
Vince Lombardi arrived and turned Green Bay into, “Title town” In the 1989 season
controversy brewed, as Green Bay threw a TD pass as time expired, the official on the
field signaled that the Packers QB had passed the line of scrimmage, but after
extensive review, instant replay gave the victory to the Packers, which gave them their
first win over the Bears in 5 years. New trends are still being set, during the first week
of last years season, the Bears handed Brett Farve his first career shutout, this is
truly one match up that never needs pre-game hype.
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2. Cowboys vs Redskins (Cowboys lead 15-5)
Any rivalry that starts before a team exists is truly worth watching. The Redskins
owner in the 60’s wanted to block a proposed expansion team in Dallas, as the group
of would-be Dallas owners bought the rights to the Redskins fight song, and
threatened to disallow the Redskins from playing it. These two teams have combined
for 8 Super Bowls between them, and have met in the NFC title game twice, with
Washington coming away the victor both times.
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3. Chiefs vs Raiders (Chiefs lead 14-6)
Both of these teams date back to the old AFL days, where prior to the merger, the
Chiefs victimized Oakland. In another rivalry game that led to a rule change, a
Raiders Defensive Player speared the Chiefs Hall Of Fame Quarterback Len Dawson.
Although Dawson had gained a first down, there were offsetting penalties due to a
fight, Kansas City was forced to punt, and lost as a result. Star franchise player
Marcus Allen had grown tired of Raiders owner Al Davis, and in turn immediately
signed a contract with the Chiefs, professing his hatred for the Oakland owner. As a
footnote, due to the rabid following of their fans this match-up has always been
broadcast once a year on Monday Night Football.
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4. Steelers Vs. Browns (Steelers lead 13-3)
Even with the recent lull, this rivalry is built on history, and the importance of the
games the two squads play today. “The Blue Collar Bowl”, as a reference to these
working class cities, intensified in the 70’s when Steelers lineman “Mean" Joe Greene
was ejected for repeatedly kicking a Browns tackle in the groin. Payback ensued next
year, as a Browns defensive end would lift QB Terry Bradshaw, and slam him into the
turf headfirst. Although Cleveland is still rebuilding their team, these two clubs met in
the 2002 playoffs, with Pittsburgh scoring 22 points in the 4th quarter to pull off the
victory. Despite the records, when these two teams line up to play, it is always a hard-
fought physical contest.
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5. Eagles vs Giants (Eagles lead 12-8)
Although the history goes back to 1933, the first notable incident came when two-way
standout Chuck Bednarik forced gifted Giants offensive star Frank Gifford into an 18-
month hiatus from the game, and the famous image of Gifford laying prone while
Bednarik celebrates. Last season, the Eagles held a 17-point lead going into the 4th
quarter, when Eli Manning rallied the Giants for an overtime win. In the second
meeting, the Eagles returned a Manning interception for the game-winning score.
The Eagles would later bounce the Giants from the playoffs last year.
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6. Eagles vs Cowboys (Cowboys lead 13-7)
These two teams have enough history between their games to base a book upon.
Things heated up in the 1980’s when Ron Jaworski led the Eagles to their first NFC
title victory over Dallas. During the 1989 series became known as the bounty bowl
between the two squads. In Philly’s 27-0 whipping of Dallas, minor fights broke out
often during the game, leading to the Dallas kicker being knocked out. In the
aftermath Dallas coach Jimmy Johnson accused Eagles coach Buddy Ryan of putting
bounties on the kicker and star QB Troy Aikman. In the follow-up match, the Dallas
bench was pelted with snowballs and Coach Johnson needed a police escort out of the
stadium. Fast forward to 1999 when the Eagles secondary knocked out star receiver
Michael Irvin and the Veteran Stadium crowd cheered as Irvin was carted off on a
stretcher. In the latest chapter, the two teams met with Tony Romo squaring off vs.
Jeff Garcia, the Eagles captured a late win, leading them to the NFC East title, and
forcing Dallas to take the Wildcard route.
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7. Bengals vs. Browns (Bengals leads 10-6)
Known as the battle of I-71, as Interstate 71 connects Cleveland to Cincinnati. Owner
Art Modell fired Paul Brown, the founder of the Cleveland franchise, and he
eventually ended up with the AFL Bengals. I find it kind of funny that the Cleveland
team holds his name, yet the Bengals play in Paul Brown Stadium, and are still owned
by the Brown family today. Of course, who could ever forget Head Coach Sam Wyche,
getting on the PA system to address a rowdy Bengal’s crowd during a game, “ You
don’t live in Cleveland!”
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8. Colts vs Patriots (Pats lead 10-6)
Although this is a newly-established rivalry due to the emergence of the respective
teams, much has been crammed in during the past 8 years. The Patriots have held
the upper hand, winning 10 times in 16 games over the last 10 years, but the
playoffs are where the story begins and ends. 2003 playoffs, or the Bill Polian "whine-
your-ass-off" game, as I like to call it. The Patriots would disrupt the timing of the
Colts receivers, forcing 4 picks and causing a rule change for the following year. 2004,
even with the rule change, the Colts were beaten even worse 20-3. 2005, the Colts
strike back as Peyton Manning guides his team to a thrashing of the Patriots in
Foxboro on Monday night, finally getting the monkey off his back of not winning vs.
New England since 2000. In the latest chapter Indianapolis rallied for the greatest
comeback in AFC title history by coming back from a 20-3 deficit, and earning their
trip to the big game.
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9. Broncos vs Raiders (Broncos lead 15-5)
For a long time, hatred had been building for these two teams in the 70’s when
Denver finally got over the hump and beat Oakland for their first AFC title. Flash to
1993, when the big-mouthed Al Davis’s squad won an overtime game on the last
week of the season, and stated, “The Broncos are scared of us.” The Raiders backed
up the bold statement netting a 42-24 victory. Al Davis would then fire Mike
Shanahan, (the two would be embroiled in a lengthy contract dispute), as he would
then take the reins of the Broncos guiding them for two straight Super Bowl wins.
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10. Dolphins vs Jets (Jets lead 14-6)
The first stage happened in 1982, when Miami left the Orange Bowl field soaked, and
grinded out a 14-0 win in the AFC title game. The Fish took it up a notch using
schoolyard trickery with Dan Marino faking a spike to throw the winning TD pass.
Years later, the Jets pulled out a victory with one of the greatest games ever played.
Trailing 30-7 on Monday Night Football, the Jets rallied to tie the score, at 37-37, and
hit the winning Field Goal in overtime.
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11. Rams vs 49ers (Rams lead 11-9)
The Rams started by running all over the NFC West in the 1970’s, then Montana,
Young & Co. took over. Between 1990-1999 the 49ers had won 17 straight games
over the Rams. Now the balance recently has shifted back to the Rams, although
after hanging a beating on the Rams, a 49ers player remarked, “Still the same ol’
suck ass Rams”
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