The NFL has a rich history filled with intense rivalries that add excitement to the game. The competitive spirit and physical nature of football fuel these rivalries. Over the past century, as the league has grown, teams and their fans have created both new rivalries and strengthened old ones. This ongoing tradition keeps the competition alive and makes every game even more thrilling for everyone involved. Here is a look at some of the biggest team rivalries in the NFL.

5. New England Patriots vs. New York Jets

The rivalry between the New England Patriots and the New York Jets has fascinated football fans for many years, partly due to their close locations. Their games often reflect the larger Boston vs. New York rivalry, similar to the famous Yankees-Red Sox feud.

Until 2011, the Jets had the upper hand in their matchups, but then Tom Brady and the Patriots took over, highlighting the competitive spirit that characterized their early encounters. In 1985, the Jets even gave the Patriots their first playoff loss.

The late 1990s and early 2000s were especially dramatic. After Bill Parcells left the Patriots in 1996, the Jets pursued him but ended up hiring Bill Belichick as head coach, with Parcells acting as an advisor. Later, Parcells became the head coach, and Belichick was his defensive coordinator. Their shared history fueled one of the biggest team rivalries in the NFL.

Belichick’s move to New England in 2000 marked the beginning of the Patriots’ dominance, intensifying their rivalry. Between 1993 and 2008, the competition thrived, with many players and coaches switching between the two teams.

4. New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The rivalry between the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles is one of the fiercest in the NFL, driven by a long-standing tension between the two cities. Since they both joined the same conference in 1933, they have faced each other 185 times, with the Eagles slightly leading the series and holding a 3-2 playoff record. This is undoubtedly one of the biggest team rivalries in the NFL, with both teams and fanbases eagerly awaiting every game.

This rivalry has produced memorable moments, such as Chuck Bednarik’s famous hit on Frank Gifford in 1960, which forced Gifford into a two-year retirement. Another unforgettable event was the “Miracle at the Meadowlands” in 1978 when a last-second fumble allowed Herm Edwards to score a game-winning touchdown. In 2010, the Eagles staged an amazing comeback, scoring four touchdowns in the last eight minutes, capped by DeSean Jackson’s game-winning punt return, leading to a 38-31 victory.

3. Dallas Cowboys vs. San Francisco 49ers

The rivalry between the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers began in the 1980s and includes nine playoff games, making it one of the most important in NFL history. Notably, it is the only non-divisional rivalry on this list, with the 49ers often facing the Cowboys or Packers in the playoffs.

After a successful 1970s, the Cowboys began to falter while the 49ers drafted Joe Montana and hired coach Bill Walsh. This shift allowed the 49ers to dominate the NFC in the 1980s, culminating in the 1981 NFC Championship, marked by Dwight Clark’s legendary “The Catch,” which helped the 49ers secure their first Super Bowl victory.