NFL RIVALRIES · HISTORY · BY LEAGUE THREADS
Gridiron Rivalries: The Greatest Battles in NFL History
Updated 25 August 2026 · 6 min read · Cowboys vs Eagles, Packers vs Bears and why these battles define the NFL
NFL rivalries are built through decades of unforgettable moments, legendary players and generations of passionate fans. They turn ordinary Sundays into family traditions, decide division titles and give every fan a reason to show up wearing their colors.
Two matchups sit above the rest: the modern grudge between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles, and the oldest rivalry in football between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears. Here is the history behind both — and why the jersey you wear says which side you are on.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
An NFL rivalry is never just a game. It is a shared history that fans carry from generation to generation — and a jersey is the uniform of that history.
- •Cowboys vs Eagles: the NFC East’s modern rivalry — born in 1960, defined by division-title swings and two of the loudest fan bases in football.
- •Packers vs Bears: the oldest NFL rivalry — more than 200 meetings since 1921 and 22 championships between them.
- •Rivalry weeks drive the season’s biggest jersey sales: fans buy to represent their side.
IN THIS GUIDE
1. Cowboys vs Eagles: NFC East’s Modern Rivalry
Origins. The rivalry began in 1960, when the Philadelphia Eagles handed the Dallas Cowboys their first-ever loss as an expansion franchise. More than 130 meetings later, no two teams in the NFC East have produced more drama — or more sellouts.
Biggest games. The 1980 NFC Championship, when Philadelphia reached its first Super Bowl, and the 2009 Wild Card thriller in Dallas, where the Cowboys’ season ended on a fumbled snap. Nearly every meeting since has carried playoff weight — the division crown has swung on this fixture repeatedly.
Fan culture. The E-A-G-L-E-S chant against the Dallas star. Rivalry week is the loudest in the NFL, and merchandise sales follow the noise — both franchises consistently rank among the league’s top sellers.
Iconic players. From Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith to Brian Dawkins and Donovan McNabb, every era has produced heroes on both sides. Today it is Dak Prescott wearing the star and A.J. Brown catching everything in midnight green.
REPRESENT YOUR SIDE
2. Packers vs Bears: The Oldest NFL Rivalry
No rivalry in professional football is older. The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears first met in 1921, when Curly Lambeau and George Halas — the founding families of the NFL — were building the league itself. Since then they have played more than 200 games, more than any other pairing in NFL history.
The history is staggering: 22 NFL championships between the two franchises, the Monsters of the Midway defense against the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field, and decades of quarterbacks — Bart Starr, Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers in green and gold; Sid Luckman and Jim McMahon in navy and orange.
Today the torch passes to a new generation: Chicago’s Caleb Williams carries the hopes of Bears fans, while the Packers keep the tradition rolling in Wisconsin. The colors have not changed in a century — and neither has the dislike.
REPRESENT YOUR SIDE
3. Why Rivalries Matter to NFL Fans
A jersey represents more than a player. It represents memories, traditions and the community behind a team. When you wear a Cowboys star in Philadelphia or a Packers G in Chicago, you are not just wearing clothes — you are carrying decades of family history on your back.
That is why rivalry weeks drive the highest jersey sales of the season: fans buy to represent their side, not just to follow a player. It is also why our team hubs break down the full gear lineup for all 32 franchises — so you can find your colors and wear them with pride.
Explore every franchise: NFL Team Pages · The NFL Hub · All NFL Jerseys
FAQ
Which is the oldest rivalry in the NFL?
The Green Bay Packers vs Chicago Bears rivalry is the oldest in the NFL. The teams first met in 1921 and have played more than 200 times, more than any other matchup in league history, with 22 championships between them.
Why are Cowboys vs Eagles games so intense?
Cowboys vs Eagles is the modern grudge of the NFC East. Since 1960 the two franchises have traded division titles, playoff heartbreak and unforgettable moments, and their fan bases collide every year in the two loudest stadiums in the division.
What is the biggest rivalry in the NFC East?
Cowboys vs Eagles is widely considered the biggest rivalry in the NFC East today, with Cowboys vs Washington as the historic runner-up. When Dallas and Philadelphia meet, playoff seeding is almost always on the line.
RIVALRY COLLECTION
