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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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – NOVEMBER 01: Marquez Valdes-Scantling #83 of the Green Bay Packers makes a catch while being guarded by Jeff Gladney #20 of the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter at Lambeau Field on November 01, 2020, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – NOVEMBER 01: Marquez Valdes-Scantling #83 of the Green Bay Packers makes a catch while being guarded by Jeff Gladney #20 of the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter at Lambeau Field on November 01, 2020, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

10. Top NFL Rivalries – Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings

  • All-Time History: Packers lead 63-56-3
  • First Meeting: Oct. 22, 1961 (Packers 33, Vikings 7)
  • Last Meeting: Nov. 21, 2021 (Vikings 34, Packers 31)
  • Postseason History: Tied 1-1

Another bitter NFC North rivalry, the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings have hated each other since the Vikings were born in 1961. The Packers took the Vikings to school early, ripping off 10 straight wins to start the series, but the Vikings made their presence felt by taking control when they went to four Super Bowls in the span of eight years, springboarding to dominance in the 1970s with a 15-4-1 mark against Green Bay.

The relative struggles of the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions to field consistent winners in the 1990s and 2000s basically turned the division into a two-horse race between the Packers and Vikings, adding further fuel to the fire. A lot of players have suited up for both teams over the years, none more notorious than Packers’ legend Brett Favre, who landed in Minnesota (after a one-year layover with the Jets) to get revenge on Green Bay for daring to move on without him.

The Favre revenge games were some of the most hyped games in the history of the sport, including his return to Lambeau Field in 2009 when he outdueled Aaron Rodgers to lead the Vikings to a 38-26 win. The bitter rivals have also had plenty of epic showdowns in primetime, making this rivalry one that fans across the country have gotten familiar with over the years.

The fact that Green Bay is Minnesota’s closest geographic rival has certainly added fuel to this fire. The professional mirror to the college football rivalry between Wisconsin and Minnesota, Packers-Vikings is well-deserving of its spot inside the Top 10 on this list.

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