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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ORCHARD PARK, NY – OCTOBER 31: Tommy Sweeney #89 of the Buffalo Bills runs the ball after a catch as Reid Sinnett #4 of the Miami Dolphins tries to make a tackle during a game at Highmark Stadium on October 31, 2021 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY – OCTOBER 31: Tommy Sweeney #89 of the Buffalo Bills runs the ball after a catch as Reid Sinnett #4 of the Miami Dolphins tries to make a tackle during a game at Highmark Stadium on October 31, 2021 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /

22. Top NFL Rivalries – Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins

  • All-Time History: Dolphins lead 61-54-1
  • First Meeting: Sept. 18, 1966 (Bills 58, Dolphins 24)
  • Last Meeting: Oct. 31, 2021 (Bills 26, Dolphins 11)
  • Postseason History: Bills lead 3-1

This historic rivalry dates back to the AFL as the Dolphins and Bills began to hate each other after Miami joined the league in 1966. The emergence of Don Shula in the 1970s led to some early dominance for the Dolphins, who lorded over the Bills by sweeping the decade of matchups.

Buffalo got back into the mix with the emergence of their dominant teams in the late 1980s and early 1990s headlined by Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy and Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly. Miami was never afraid of the Bills since they had their own future Hall of Famer in Dan Marino, leading to some epic showdowns over the next 20 years.

This rivalry has also seen four playoff matchups, with the most memorable one being the 1992 AFC Championship Game which Buffalo won 29-10 at home. The Bills also ended Shula’s coaching career by topping Miami 37-22 in the Wild Card round of the 1995 playoffs.

The heat of this rivalry cooled a bit with both teams fading a bit after the retirements of the key figures from the 1990s run but the passion has started to resurface lately. Buffalo has proven to be a thorn in Miami’s side again as they have won seven straight matchups against the Dolphins, including a Week 17 defeat last season that knocked Miami out of the playoffs.

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