National Football League

NFL rivalries: 10 that must come back

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:08 p.m. ET

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Jan 3, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28) runs the ball as Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Josh Mauga (90) defends during the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL loves a good rivalry. Hell, America loves a good rivalry.

It’s what gets the blood boiling and emotions high. From sports to music to politics, Rivalries are what make America awesome.

You can make the case that the NFL is missing something when it comes to rivalries, a growing trend after games is groups of players from different teams swapping jerseys. Look I know that’s supposed to be all about sportsmanship but *clears throat*…..

IT’S THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE! IF I JUST LOST A FOOTBALL GAME I WOULDN’T WANT TO TAKE A PICTURE WITH SOMEONE WHO’S GOING TO BE HAPPIER THAN ME FOR A WEEK.

In summation, rivalries don’t matter anymore in the NFL and here’s 10 rivalries that need to matter once again.

Raiders-Chiefs

One of the NFL’s greatest rivalries and the AFL’s greatest rivalry has lost some luster since the early 2000s. The Raiders dipped into a decade-long quagmire and the Chiefs maintained above .500 status off and on during that same period. With both teams finally good again, there’s no better time for these two longtime rivals to play some meaningful games once again.

It may not have the hate that the Stram vs. Madden and Al vs. Marty days but it would be nice to see some divisional games on the last day of the of the NFL season.

Browns-Steelers 

The Steelers have had a competitive rivalry with every other team in their division except with the Browns. The Steelers-Browns rivalry is more like playing one-on-one with your little brother, if your little brother is a toddler and you’re a full grown adult. We’ve really never seen both teams going head to head in their primes, even when the Browns had a prime in the 60s and 80s, the Steelers weren’t good either.

This rivalry is just needing one thing, the Browns to be good. We know that the Steelers are the glamour team in the division and that any worthy challenger to Pittsburgh will spark an instant rivalry. If the Browns are somewhat decent then you’ve got the golden opportunity to see the Browns and Steelers in showcase times such as Sunday Night Football.

Nov 6, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (12) talks with Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (23) at Paul Brown Stadium. The Browns won 24-3. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Browns-Bengals 

“The Battle of Ohio” had been one of the NFL’s best during the late 80’s and early 90’s but it quickly went away as both teams struggled. However, this rivalry goes much deeper than just games in the 80’s. The Browns-Bengals beef goes back to one of the NFL’s most infamous moments when Browns owner Art Modell fired the coach and founder of the Cleveland Browns.

In 1968, Paul Brown bought his way into the AFL with the Cincinnati franchise. With the merger in 1970, Cincy and Cleveland were instant rivals and the bad blood off the field filtered it’s way to on the field. Now, you’ve got the former Cincinnati offensive coordinator coaching the Browns. Something I’m sure Paul Brown would be very confused by.

Rams-49ers 

Now that the Rams and 49ers are on the same coast again, hopefully the rivalry will return. The height of this No. Cal-So. Cal beef occurred in the 1980s with Montana and Rice running the league while the Rams struggled to stay behind in comparison. Both teams are in the middle of lean years which make time some time for this rivalry to return.

If either team returns to their top form, the game will have some type of importance on the NFL scene. With both Oakland and San Diego struggling to maintain their foothold in Cali, this could be the perfect time for these two teams to grab the spotlight again.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – JANUARY 4: Quarterback Phil Simms

East Coast-West Coast Rivalries 

Bird and Jordan. Biggie and Tupac.

The East Coast-West Coast rivalry has spread from music to sports to even taste in food. The NFL is no different, from the 49ers-Giants rivalry in the 1980s to the Raiders-Jets rivalry of the 60’s. That’s missing now with the advent of predetermined schedules and divisions assigned to certain teams.

With the league expanding to 32 teams in 2001, the schedules are more balanced but you miss out on seeing games involving teams from the west coast battle with teams from the east coast. You can only hope to get lucky and see a east/west matchup in the playoffs and possibly, see those two teams on the schedule for next season.

Bills-Dolphins

The soft sunshine of Miami against the gritty and blue collar and cold drop back of Buffalo, NY. The rivalry was never as balanced due to the dominance of the Miami Dolphins in the 1970’s. For the entire decade of the 70’s, the Bills were 0-20 against the Miami Dolphins. The Rivalry picked up with the rivalry with Dan Marino and Jim Kelly battling out for AFC East supremacy in the late 80’s and early 90’s.

The rivalry has dipped as both teams have struggled to return to their peak of the early 90s. What makes this rivalry so awesome is there’s two ways of life and two mindsets when it comes to their respective cities. At their best, the stark contrast of Buffalo and Miami would give the rivalry the juice it needs.

Dec 21, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Nick Perry (53) gets ready to rush against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Packers-Buccaneers 

One of the casualties of the NFL realignment of 2002 was the “Bay of Pigs” game as Chris Berman once called it. Tampa Bay and Green Bay were division rivals from 1976 to 2002. While the rivalry had no juice in the 70s and 80s. The late 90s saw a resurgence of both teams and became the ultimate chess match with Brett Favre going up against Warren Sapp.

As both teams made the transition from their glory years, the rivalry fizzled out. As Tampa has become a team with potential again, it would be nice to see the young and hungry Bucs challenge the Packers in the playoffs and hopefully makes way for more games beyond that.

Giants-Bears 

This rivalry simply means tradition.

Both teams have strong roots in the NFL from it’s start with the Giants Wellington Mara and Chicago’s George Halas. Even in the 1980s when both of these teams brought the power to the NFC in contrast to the finesse of the San Francisco 49ers. It’s always a classic setting when you match up New York and Chicago, the two teams met in six NFL Championship Games prior to the Super Bowl era.

Another casualty of the realignment of 2002, the Giants and Bears have only met five times since then and none of them have been in the playoffs. Although they hadn’t met every season before then, watching two teams that have been with the league from the start is something special.

The Steelers defense swarming the Oakland Raiders in the 1974 AFC Championship game. – SI.com

Steelers-Raiders 

No matter if it was Chuck Noll accusing the Raiders of being the “criminal element of the NFL” or former Raiders star Lyle Alzado battling with Tunch Ilkin on the field and in the press in the 1980s the Raiders and Steelers have always been at war.

The Rivalry has fizzled but with the Raiders on the rise, it would be nice to see these two old foes go at it in snowy Pittsburgh in the Wild Card or even Divisional round just one more time.

Did I miss any, leave your comments and come back next Thursday for more NFL nostalgia!

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