The Green Bay Packers are one of the NFL's most storied franchises. With history comes rivalries, and the Packers have their share of intraconference and intradivisional rivalries.
Green Bay Packers Greatest Rivalries: Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers rivalry is dependent on its longevity more than its overall competitiveness. The Packers and Lions are the only teams to have played against each other in every season since 1932. The Packers maintain an 89-65-7 advantage over the Lions in the all-time series, but the Lions won 7-3 in Week 14 of the 2010 season.
This rivalry is not only lopsided in the Packers favor, but the teams have rarely been good at the same time during the Super Bowl era. With the exception of Yoopers, most Packer fans would consider this to be a mini-rivalry when compared to other NFC North foes.
Green Bay Packers Greatest Rivalries: San Francisco 49ers
The Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers rivalry mostly stems from the mid 1990s. The NFC Championship was often considered the Super Bowl because of the Dallas Cowboys and 49ers dominance. The 49ers were the defending Super Bowl champions and were the only blemish during the Cowboys streak of three Super Bowls in four seasons. They were looking to revive the dynasty that Bill Walsh and George Seifert had carried into the 1990s.
The difficulty started when the Packers upset the 49ers during the divisional round in Candlestick Park. That led to three consecutive playoff defeats for the 49ers, two of which were at Candlestick Park. The third one was the most disheartening for 49ers fans as it was in the 49ers last NFC championship appearance to date, a game that featured injuries to Jerry Rice and Garrison Hearst.
The 49ers finally pulled off a playoff victory and their first against Brett Favre(notes) in the 1999 Wildcard. The 49ers trailed 27-23 in the concluding seconds before Steve Young connected with Terrell Owens(notes) for the game-winning touchdown. The teams met once more in 2002 as the Packers upended the 49ers 25-15 in the NFC Wildcard.
Green Bay Packers Greatest Rivalries: Dallas Cowboys
The Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys rivalry featured two of the NFL's most prestigious teams and most loyal fan bases. The rivalry peaked during the 1960s and 1990s. The games often had playoff and Super Bowl implications.
The rivalry originates from the NFC Championship meetings of the 1960s. The Packers first two Super Bowl victories, leading to the "Lombardi Trophy," both featured NFC Championship match-ups between the two franchises. The Packers won in the deciding half-minute of each game. Had the Cowboys prevailed, could it have been the "Landry Trophy?"
The Cowboys established payback as their 1990s dynasty was the biggest obstacle for the Packers Super Bowl aspirations. When the Cowboys began to fade under Barry Switzer, the Packers capitalized with two consecutive Super Bowl appearances and one championship. Still, the Packers could never outgun the Cowboys with Brett Favre playing at Cowboys Stadium.
The regular season match-ups have always been critical because of home-field implications. The Packers couldn't win in Dallas, and the Cowboys don't want to play in Lambeau Field in January.
Green Bay Packers Greatest Rivalries: Minnesota Vikings
If for nothing else, Brett Favre. Favre shocked Green Bay enthusiasts with his decision to become a member of the Minnesota Vikings entering the 2009 season. The Vikings are known for luring players away from the Packers. Some players include Brett Favre, Ryan Longwell(notes), Darren Sharper(notes), and Robert Ferguson(notes).
The Packers hold the all-time series lead, 51-48-1. Home field advantage has been critical in this rivalry because of the Vikings dome play and the Packers outdoor conditions. The last regular season match-up featured a 31-3 victory by the Packers in the Metrodome in the 100th overall meeting.
Antonio Freeman's "Monday Night Miracle" is considered by many football enthusiasts as one of the NFL's greatest and luckiest plays. The Vikings have often been the Packers biggest NFC North challenger during the Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers(notes) era. The rivalry could be jeopardized if the Vikings are relocated to Los Angeles, likely repositioning them to the NFC West.
Green Bay Packers Greatest Rivalries: Chicago Bears
The NFL's longest and most storied rivalry, the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers have played in 182 games, with the Bears holding a 92-84-6 advantage. Ejections, playoff match-ups, coaching hires, and explicit hits are just a few of the milestones from this rivalry.
The Packers and Bears rivalry may have peaked during the 2011 NFC Championship game. They had previously collided in the playoffs on one occasion following Pearl Harbor in 1941. The Bears won that match-up en route to a championship. Similarly, the Packers won the 2011 NFC Championship match-up 21-14, eventually winning the Super Bowl.
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