Ranking the 25 biggest NFL rivalries of all time

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LANDOVER, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 16: Kendall Fuller #29 of the Washington Football Team and Kenny Golladay #19 of the New York Giants unable to gain control of the ball during the third quarter at FedExField on September 16, 2021, in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

19. Top NFL rivalries – New York Giants vs. Washington Football Team

All-Time History: Giants lead 105-70-4
First Meeting: Oct. 9, 1932 (Braves 14, Giants 6)
Last Meeting: Sept. 16, 2021 (Football Team 30, Giants 29)
Postseason History: Tied 1-1

The NFC East’s rivalries are some of the most historic in the sport and the Giants’ longstanding clash with Washington is no exception. The franchises first met in 1932, when Washington was based in Boston and known as the Braves, making it the oldest rivalry in the division.

These two teams frequently got in each other’s way in pursuit of the NFL championship in the early days of their rivalry, with New York and Washington each claiming a pair of titles between 1937 and 1942. There were often plenty of storylines associated with some of their legendary contests, including a controversial field goal call at the end of the 1939 season that helped the Giants sneak past Washington to earn a spot in the NFL Championship Game, which they would go on to lose to the Green Bay Packers.

Perhaps the most famous moment in the rivalry came in 1985 when Lawrence Taylor broke Joe Theismann’s leg on a vicious sack on Monday Night Football. The hit would go on to end Theismann’s career but Washington still managed to win a pair of Super Bowls in the ensuing decade, leading the Giants 3-2 in that category for nearly two decades.

The rivalry has become more lopsided of late since Daniel Snyder’s ownership has driven Washington into the ground. The Giants have had their own issues as well but a turnaround from both sides could re-ignite the juice in one of the league’s oldest feuds.

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