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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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 27: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles is sacked by the Dallas Cowboys defense including Micah Parsons #11, Osa Odighizuwa #97, and Jaylon Smith #9 in the second half at AT&T Stadium on September 27, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 27: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles is sacked by the Dallas Cowboys defense including Micah Parsons #11, Osa Odighizuwa #97, and Jaylon Smith #9 in the second half at AT&T Stadium on September 27, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) /

5. Top NFL Rivalries – Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles

  • All-Time History: Cowboys lead 71-54
  • First Meeting: Sept. 30, 1960 (Eagles 27, Cowboys 25)
  • Last Meeting: Sept. 27, 2021 (Cowboys 41, Eagles 21)
  • Postseason History: Cowboys lead 3-1

Another bitter NFC East rivalry is the grudge match between the Cowboys and Eagles. The NFL also is very proud of this rivalry, showcasing it in primetime frequently, including Week 3 of this season as the Cowboys trounced the Eagles 41-21 in Dallas.

Things really heated up between the two sides in the 1980s when the Eagles started to become an NFC powerhouse. The two rivals met in the 1980 NFC Championship Game, with Philadelphia winning 20-7 at Veteran’s Stadium in a contest that became known as the Blue Jersey Game due to the Eagles’ home-field advantage forcing the Cowboys to wear their blue jerseys which many deemed to be cursed.

The hatred between the two franchises also extends to the fanbases, particularly Eagles’ fans taking glee in tormenting Cowboys’ players. Things got tense in 1989, when Dallas head coach Jimmy Johnson accused the Eagles of putting bounties on Cowboys’ players, which led to Eagles’ fans throwing objects on the field at both Dallas players, coaches and even the officials.

The bad blood has gone a bit too far at times, such as when Eagles’ fans cheered a career-ending injury to Cowboys’ wide receiver Michael Irvin, but the passion is what cements this rivalry as an all-time classic. The rivalry has also produced many memorable games over the years, making it an instant classic in NFL lore.

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