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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Oct 20, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan (right) and New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick shake hands after the game at MetLife Stadium. The Jets won the game 30-27 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan (right) and New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick shake hands after the game at MetLife Stadium. The Jets won the game 30-27 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

29. Rex Ryan vs. Bill Belichick

Rex Ryan emerged onto the scene in with the New York Jets in 2009, rising to popularity early during his first head coaching gig in the NFL.

Part of the hype was due to Ryan’s colorful personality, but it was also a result of taking down the division rival New England Patriots and their legendary coach Bill Belichick in his second game as a head coach. During his tenure, he would lead the Jets to victories in three of their first five games against the Patriots, including a win at New England during the 2010 postseason.

As a result, a rivalry was born. Unfortunately for Ryan and the Jets, they would never replicate this early success against the Patriots. He won just one of his final eight meetings with Belichick in New York before being fired following the 2014 season.

The two coaches continue their rivalry without missing a beat, however, as Ryan has remained in the AFC East after accepting the Buffalo Bills head coaching job this offseason. Belichick won the first meeting between the two teams earlier this season. That game turned from a 24-point rout into a one-possession game, though, providing at least some hope for exciting showdowns to come.

Although Ryan has not found much success against Belichick in recent years, his boisterous personality contrasting with Belichick’s reservedness ensures that there is never a dull moment in this rivalry.

Next: 28. Terrell Owens vs. His Quarterbacks

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