Fansided

Ranking the 25 biggest NFL rivalries of all time

By Mike Phillips

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 26: Jackson Carman #79 of the Cincinnati Bengals in action against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 26, 2021 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 26: Jackson Carman #79 of the Cincinnati Bengals in action against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 26, 2021 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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FOXBORO, MA – JANUARY 18: Matt Light #72 of the New England Patriots blocks Dwight Freeney #93 of the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship Game on January 18, 2004, at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Colts 24-14. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA – JANUARY 18: Matt Light #72 of the New England Patriots blocks Dwight Freeney #93 of the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship Game on January 18, 2004, at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Colts 24-14. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

14. Top NFL Rivalries – New England Patriots vs. Indianapolis Colts

  • All-Time History: Patriots lead 52-29
  • First Meeting: Oct. 4, 1970 (Colts 14, Patriots 6)
  • Last Meeting: Oct. 4, 2018 (Patriots 38, Colts 24)
  • Postseason History: Patriots lead 4-1

Perhaps one of the most iconic NFL rivalries of the 2000s, the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts became common foes despite failing to share a division after the 2001 season. These franchises were first linked by the AFL-NFL merger when the then-Baltimore Colts moved from the NFC to the AFC and joined the AFC East with New England.

The two sides played close contests early on but the Patriots began to dominate the rivalry in the 1980s and 1990s when Indianapolis was in a downturn. Things really heated up near the turn of the century when Peyton Manning and Tom Brady took over at quarterback.

The two stars shared a division in 2001 before re-alignment moved the Colts to the AFC South in 2002, robbing football fans of the chance to see Brady and Manning play twice a year in their primes. The meetings began happening anyway in big spots, including some memorable playoff matchups like the 2003 and 2006 AFC Championship Games, with New England going 2-1 in Brady-Manning playoff showdowns.

The exit of Manning after the 2011 season has led to a recent run of Patriot dominance since New England has gone 7-0 against the Colts without Manning under center. The two rivals meet again in December for the first time since Brady’s departure from New England, which could give the Colts a tremendous opportunity to start a new era against their rivals.

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