Fansided

30 greatest NFL rivalries of all-time

By Josh Criswell

Aug 15, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; General view of golden NFL shield logo in the end zone to commemorate Super Bowl 50 during the preseason NFL game between San Francisco 49ers and the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 15, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; General view of golden NFL shield logo in the end zone to commemorate Super Bowl 50 during the preseason NFL game between San Francisco 49ers and the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 10, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Michael Hoomanawanui (47) carries the ball as Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Daryl Smith (51) and Ravens defensive back Rashaan Melvin (38) tackle in the fourth quarter during the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Michael Hoomanawanui (47) carries the ball as Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Daryl Smith (51) and Ravens defensive back Rashaan Melvin (38) tackle in the fourth quarter during the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

30. Baltimore Ravens – New England Patriots

The New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens met for the first time in 1996, but a rivalry between the two AFC foes did not develop until recently.

The first resemblance of a rivalry emerged in 2007, when the Ravens came up just short of ending New England’s chances at a 16-0 regular season record. This was only the fourth time that the teams had met, with Baltimore losing on all four occasions.

The Ravens would lose again in 2009, in a game that marked the beginning of a rivalry between Baltimore linebacker Terrell Suggs and Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

New England went up against the Ravens later that season in the AFC Wild Card Game, the first of four postseason meetings between the teams since 2010. This time, Baltimore finally came away victorious.

The Ravens and Patriots have won two of the past three Super Bowls. Each time, the newly-developed rivals met along the way in the postseason, including an AFC Championship Game in 2012 that sent Baltimore to the Super Bowl.

The rivalry between the Patriots and Ravens does not have great historical significance, and it has been one-sided in New England’s favor for the most part. But four postseason meetings in the past six seasons and animosity among players is enough to earn this series a spot among the greatest NFL rivalries.

Next: 29. Rex Ryan vs. Bill Belichick

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