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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MIAMI, FL – JANUARY 23: Quarterback David Woodley #16 of the Miami Dolphins carries the ball in the AFC Championship Game against the New York Jets on January 23, 1983, in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/ Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – JANUARY 23: Quarterback David Woodley #16 of the Miami Dolphins carries the ball in the AFC Championship Game against the New York Jets on January 23, 1983, in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/ Getty Images) /

13. Top NFL rivalries – New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins

  • All-Time History: Dolphins lead 56-55-1
  • First Meeting: Sept. 9, 1966 (Jets 19, Dolphins 14)
  • Last Meeting: Nov. 21, 2021 (Dolphins 24, Jets 17)
  • Postseason History: Dolphins lead 1-0

There isn’t a more intense rivalry in the AFC East than the one between the Jets and Dolphins, who have hated each other since Miami was born into the AFL in 1966. The rivalry started as one-sided with the Jets winning the first eight matchups before Miami took over as the powerhouse thanks to their early 1970s dynasty.

Things heated up in the 1980s, particularly with the two sides squaring off in the AFC Championship Game in 1982 in Miami. With the Jets being known for their team speed, legend has it that Dolphins’ head coach Don Shula ordered the field be left uncovered ahead of a massive rainstorm, leading to a sloppy game that came to be known as the Mud Bowl which Miami won 14-0 after Jets’ quarterback Richard Todd threw five interceptions, three of which went to linebacker A.J. Duhe.

The two sides also saw their rivalry intensify with the arrival of Dan Marino in Miami as Marino took particular glee in beating the Jets, including the infamous fake spike game in 1994, when he faked a spike late in the fourth quarter only to throw the winning touchdown pass to Mark Ingram. The Jets have also had some memorable wins in the rivalry, including the Monday Night Miracle in 2000, when they rallied from a 30-7 deficit at the end of the third quarter to stun the Dolphins 40-37 in overtime.

This rivalry has been remarkably close with the teams entering the 2021 season tied with 55 wins apiece. Both teams are struggling right now but that won’t stop them from trying to win their matchups at all costs.

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