The Biggest NFL Rivalries are more than scheduled games — they’re tests of pride, history, and bragging rights. Some have been fought for over a century, while others were born from recent playoff clashes and superstar showdowns.

From frozen Lambeau winters to roaring Arrowhead nights, each rivalry tells its own story and unites fans across the U.S., Canada, and Europe — even as it splits households in two. At FlagOh, we embrace that intensity, with fans marking rivalry week by flying House Divided flags, wearing team colors, and showing the world where they stand.

These matchups don’t just fill stadiums; they write NFL history. They create moments that spark debates for decades and cement the cultural pride and regional identity that make football more than a game.

Historic Biggest NFL Rivalries That Defined the League

To understand why certain matchups stand the test of time, we need to rewind to where it all began. These historic clashes laid the foundation for the NFL as we know it, each with defining moments that still echo in stadiums today. Long before flashy uniforms and instant replays, these rivalries helped build the NFL’s foundation. Packed with championship clashes, iconic plays, and bitter grudges, these matchups have stood the test of time and continue to fuel fan passion across generations.

Packers vs Bears – The Original Gridiron Battle

First meeting: 1921
Total games: 206 (Packers lead 107–95–6)
Combined championships: 22 (13 Packers, 9 Bears)

From Curly Lambeau to Aaron Rodgers, and from George Halas to Walter Payton, this rivalry has produced legends. In Wisconsin and Illinois, Sundays in the fall often mean one thing: Green Bay vs Chicago. In mixed-loyalty households, a Packers vs Bears House Divided flag from FlagOh isn’t decoration — it’s a statement.

Cowboys vs Commanders – Thanksgiving Classic and NFC East Drama

First meeting: October 9, 1960
Total games: 128 meetings (Cowboys lead 77–51 as of 2024)
Cultural note: Often played on Thanksgiving, this rivalry blends political symbolism and football pride, dividing fans across Texas and the D.C. area.

This rivalry blends sport and symbolism. Fans in Dallas and D.C. keep the fire alive with elaborate tailgates and decades of verbal jabs.

Giants vs Eagles – The Northeast Clash

First meeting: October 15, 1933
Total games: 181 meetings (Eagles lead 93–88 as of 2024)
Cultural note: A fierce NFC East clash that pits New York and Philadelphia’s working-class grit against each other; the rivalry thrives on fan intensity and playoff heartbreak.

These games are physical, loud, and often personal. From snowy showdowns to NFC East deciders, it’s a rivalry that thrives on intensity.

Steelers vs Raiders – AFC Power Clash of the ’70s

First meeting: October 25, 1970
Total games: 30 meetings (Series tied 15–15 as of 2024)
Cultural note: Defined by the brutal 1970s playoff wars and the iconic Immaculate Reception, this cross-conference rivalry is rooted in physical dominance and old-school grudges.

In the 1970s, no rivalry was more brutal than Steelers vs Raiders. They met in the playoffs five times between 1972 and 1976, including the famous “Immaculate Reception” game. Though no longer shaping Super Bowl outcomes, the punishing play style and deep grudges still define this rivalry — and fans continue to travel nationwide for these matchups. In modern matchups, the games may not decide Super Bowls as often, but they carry the same edge — and the fans still travel across the country to see them.

Ravens vs Steelers – The Black-and-Blue Bloodbath

First meeting: September 8, 1996
Total games: 58 meetings (Steelers lead 34–24 as of 2024)
Cultural note: Known as the “Black-and-Blue” rivalry, it’s one of the most physical in the league—characterized by defense, narrow scores, and playoff stakes nearly every year.

Since 1996, this AFC North rivalry has been defined by defense, physicality, and playoff implications. From Ray Lewis vs Hines Ward to T.J. Watt vs Lamar Jackson, every game feels like a war. The series is nearly even, with many games decided by a single possession. This is one of the most brutal, respected rivalries of the 21st century.

Modern NFL Rivalries and Season Headlines

While history runs deep, some of the fiercest clashes in the Biggest NFL Rivalries today come from matchups born in the last two decades, where playoff pressure, tactical chess matches, and superstar performances redefine the league’s balance of power. These matchups are more than marquee games on the schedule. They’re cultural events, drawing in global audiences and inspiring new traditions — which is exactly what keeps the NFL’s rivalry culture thriving.

Chiefs vs Bengals – Elite QBs & AFC Playoff Strategy

Since 2021: 4 meetings, each decided by 7 points or less.
Highlight: AFC Championship 2023, Bengals won 27–24.

Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow have turned this into a tactical AFC chess match, where elite quarterback play and pre-snap strategy make every possession count.

Bills vs Chiefs – Playoff Clashes, High Scores, and Defensive Woes

Most famous game: “13 Seconds” in the 2022 AFC Divisional Round — Chiefs tied and won in OT after trailing with 13 seconds left.
Multiple playoff meetings have cemented this as a must-watch clash.

49ers vs Seahawks – Defensive Tactics & West Coast Grit

Dominated NFC West battles from 2012 to 2023.
Known for defensive grit and high‑stakes December matchups.

Cowboys vs 49ers – Playoff Rivalry Rekindled

After dominating the NFC in the early ’90s with three straight championship clashes, this rivalry reignited in 2022 and 2023 — both ending in 49ers playoff wins. This blend of historic weight and modern drama makes it one of the NFL’s most watched matchups today.

These modern rivalries prove that greatness isn’t just forged in history—it’s built in the heat of today’s battles. With playoff implications, superstar quarterbacks, and coast-to-coast fanbases, these matchups have become appointment viewing every season. As we head into the 2025 NFL season, expect these clashes to not only define the standings but to rewrite rivalry history in real time.

Rivalry Culture – How Fans Live the Feud

Beyond statistics and highlight reels, rivalries are lived in the parking lots, pubs, and living rooms where fans gather. The culture surrounding these games can be as intense as the battles on the field. Rivalries aren’t just about what happens on the field—they’re lived and felt in stadiums, neighborhoods, and family gatherings. From spirited tailgates to divided households, here’s how fans express their loyalty when rivalry week rolls around. Rivalry weeks are as much about the atmosphere as the scoreboard:

Tailgates start hours before kickoff, with grills smoking and fans trading chants.
From bars to parking lots, chants echo while traveling fans transform away games into near-home-field experiences.
Regional food battles — think Philly cheesesteaks vs New York pizza — add flavor to the rivalry.
NFL House Divided flags hang from porches, making loyalties clear.

FlagOh sees this every season — fans want their pride visible long before the game starts.

On the road, fans show off their loyalty with:

Tailgate flag poles attached to truck beds or hitches
Window-mounted flags for rivalry road trips
Custom car decals featuring House Divided designs

Statistical Breakdown of Rivalry Intensity

Numbers don’t lie. Win-loss records, streaks, and nail-biters all tell a deeper story about which rivalries are truly neck and neck—and which are steeped in long-standing domination.

*Rivalry*	*Series Record*	*Closest Stretch*	*Largest Winning Streak*
Packers vs Bears	GB leads 107–95–6	1990–2000: 6–6 split	GB: 10 games (1994–1998)
Giants vs Eagles	PHI leads 94–88–2	2000–2010: 11–9 PHI	PHI: 9 games (2014–2018)
Chiefs vs Raiders	KC leads 72–54–2	1966–1970: 5–5 split	KC: 7 games (2013–2016)

These figures show more than wins and losses — they reveal patterns of dominance, periods of balance, and the razor-thin margins that keep fans on edge season after season.

Broadcast Ratings, Mobile Viewership & Rivalry Merchandise Sales

With primetime slots and surging 40–60% merchandise sales, rivalry games drive massive audiences and rapid sellouts of House Divided gear. Ticket prices can soar 50% above average. And with the NFL expanding its reach to Europe and Canada through London rivalry games and NFL Germany matchups, iconic contests have become global events — giving fans worldwide a reason to wave their team’s colors.

According to league data:

Rivalry games average 18–22% higher attendance than regular-season matchups.
NFL fans are 40% more likely to buy team merchandise during rivalry weeks.
Mobile app traffic on platforms like NFL+ and team-specific streaming services spikes by up to 35% during rivalry broadcasts, reflecting the rise of second-screen viewing behavior among younger fans..

House Divided Flags & NFL Tailgate Display Trends

NFL rivalries don’t stop at jerseys—they fly high on porches, cars, and tailgate poles. Let’s break down the most popular types of rivalry flags fans use to declare loyalty—and how to keep yours in perfect condition.

House Divided Flags – split designs for mixed-loyalty homes.
Championship Year Flags – commemorate past victories.
Custom Banners – personalized with family or fan club names.
Limited-edition rivalry flags released ahead of major matchups.
Flags designed for proper outdoor display etiquette, ensuring they fly correctly and last multiple seasons.

For outdoor display, pick polyester or nylon rivalry flags with double-stitched edges. These are weather-resistant, ideal for tailgates, car mountings, and game-day parking lots, ensuring they hold up over multiple seasons.

Extend flag life by hand-washing with mild detergent, air-drying, and avoiding UV and storm exposure. Use reinforced grommets in windy conditions.

Complete List of the Biggest NFL Rivalries by Division

Every NFL division has its unique feuds, shaped by geography, playoff history, and year-round trash talk. Here’s a division-by-division guide to the most heated rivalries across the league.

AFC East: Bills vs Patriots, Dolphins vs Jets

AFC North: Ravens vs Steelers, Browns vs Bengals

AFC West: Chiefs vs Raiders, Broncos vs Chargers

AFC South: Colts vs Titans, Texans vs Jaguars

NFC East: Cowboys vs Washington, Giants vs Eagles

NFC North: Packers vs Bears, Vikings vs Packers

NFC South: Saints vs Falcons, Buccaneers vs Panthers

NFC West: 49ers vs Seahawks, Rams vs 49ers

Biggest NFL Rivalries in Playoff History

If the regular season fuels the fire, the playoffs pour gasoline on it. These postseason clashes turned intense matchups into legendary feuds that defined decades of football.

Cowboys vs 49ers: 8 playoff meetings, 5 NFC Championship matchups.
Packers vs 49ers: This playoff rivalry has featured everything from Brett Favre dueling Steve Young in the 1990s to Aaron Rodgers facing Colin Kaepernick in the 2010s. The styles couldn’t be more different — Green Bay’s cold‑weather grit against San Francisco’s West Coast offense — but the stakes are always high.
Patriots vs Colts: Brady vs Manning defined 2000s playoff drama.

College Football Rivalries That Crossed into the NFL

Some rivalries don’t begin in the pros. College battles between quarterbacks and coaches often carry into the NFL, adding even more fuel to already fiery matchups.

Rivalries like Burrow vs Hurts (LSU vs Oklahoma) carry into the pros, adding a personal layer to NFL matchups. Other examples include Baker Mayfield vs Patrick Mahomes from their record‑breaking 2016 college duel and Tua Tagovailoa vs Joe Burrow from the 2019 season.

How NFL Rivalries Compare to Other Sports

Rivalries exist in every sport—but there’s something about football’s single-game stakes that makes them unforgettable. Here’s how the NFL’s biggest rivalries stack up against legendary feuds from MLB and NHL.

NFL rivalries rival — and sometimes surpass — the intensity of Yankees vs Red Sox (MLB) or Canadiens vs Bruins (NHL). The difference? In the NFL, every game counts more.

International NFL Rivalries and Global Fan Culture

Rivalries aren’t just an American obsession. As the NFL expands into global markets, international fans are adopting the tradition—bringing rivalry flags, chants, and passion to stadiums from London to Frankfurt.

London games have hosted matchups like Jaguars vs Dolphins that drew mixed‑loyalty UK crowds.
NFL Germany games in Munich and Frankfurt have sold out instantly, often featuring high‑profile teams.
Cross-border rivalries in Toronto and Seattle give Canadian fans reasons to fly their colors — and FlagOh flags travel as easily as they do.

For FlagOh customers in Europe and Canada, these events are opportunities to show pride with flags that travel as easily as the fans themselves.

From century-old grudges to fresh feuds, the Biggest NFL Rivalries fuel the soul of the sport — blending historic grudges, modern strategies, and fan cultures that stretch from U.S. heartlands to international watch parties. They’re why fans paint their faces in winter, travel across states, and hang flags in the front yard. Whether your team’s next big game is at home or away, show your pride. Explore FlagOh’s House Divided Flags and gear up for the moments that matter most.

FAQ – NFL Rivalries Explained

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just getting into football, rivalry games often raise a lot of questions—from which matchups matter most to why emotions run so high. Below, we’ve answered the most common questions fans ask when it comes to the biggest NFL rivalries—and what makes them unforgettable season after season.

Q: What is the biggest NFL rivalry of all time?
A: Most fans consider Packers vs Bears the biggest NFL rivalry due to its historic depth, championship stakes, and over 200 meetings since 1921.

Q: Which NFL rivalry is the most intense today?
A: Chiefs vs Bengals and Cowboys vs 49ers top the list due to recent playoff battles and elite quarterback matchups.

Q: What makes NFL rivalries so special?
A: NFL rivalries are fueled by history, passion, playoff stakes, and local pride.

When the biggest NFL rivalries ignite on the field, your pride shouldn’t stay on the couch. From frozen Lambeau showdowns to thunderous Arrowhead nights, every historic clash—past and present—deserves to fly its colors. Let FlagOh be your banner-bearer: pick up a House Divided flag for split-loyalty households or a championship-year flag to celebrate your team’s legacy. Shop now, raise your flag high, and turn every rivalry into an unforgettable moment!