Super Bowl rivalries in the National Football League

A variation of interconference rivalries in the National Football League is the set of rivalries involving teams that have played each other in the Super Bowl. From Super Bowl I through Super Bowl XLV 28 of the NFL's 32 teams have appeared in the game (entering 2011 only the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, and Jacksonville Jaguars remain without an appearance) and the rivalries between the teams involved have had varied levels of continuing intensity to where regular season matchups since the 1970 merger have seen some dramatic outcomes.
Green Bay Packers vs. Kansas City Chiefs
:*Met in Super Bowl I (Packers won 35-10)
:*Kansas City leads rivalry 6-2-1
:*Next scheduled meeting December 18, 2011 @ Kansas City
:*Signature Moment: The Chiefs and Packers did not meet after Super Bowl I until October 14, 1973 at Milwaukee County Stadium. The Chiefs came into the meeting at 3-1 while the Packers were 2-1-1. The Chiefs tandem of Hank Stram and Len Dawson was still intact but the Packers were now under the coaching of Dan Devine and the team was using several quarterbacks. Jim Del Gaizo was Packers starter on this day and managed a touchdown to Morris Stroud but also threw two interceptions. The Packers managed 169 rushing yards and 153 passing yards, but Del Gaizo was pulled and Scott Hunter took over. The Chiefs managed just 149 yards of offense but Jan Stenerud's 36-yard field goal in the fourth ended a 10-10 tie.
:*Signature Moment: The only time the teams played on Monday Night Football was in 1993 at Arrowhead Stadium. The Packers had a 9-3 advantage at halftime, all 12 points being scored on field goals. The Chiefs mounted a comeback by scoring 17 unanswered points in the second half, holding on for a 23-16 victory.
:*Signature Moment: In Green Bay's 1996 Super Bowl season they traveled to Arrowhead Stadium at 8-1 to face the 6-3 Chiefs on November 10. Four Chiefs backs led by Greg Hill's 94 yards rushed for 179 yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns by Hill; Hill also caught a 34-yard touchdown from Steve Bono as the Chiefs raced to a 27-6 lead. Two second-half Brett Favre touchdowns were not enough for a 27-20 Chiefs win.
:*Signature Moment: The two teams did not meet again until October 12, 2003 at Lambeau Field with the Chiefs and their high-powered Dick Vermeil offense at 5-0 and the Packers at 3-2. Brett Favre managed a pair of touchdown throws in the first half and the Packers raced to a 31-14 lead, but in the fourth Priest Holmes scored on a one-yard run, then Favre was intercepted and Jerome Woods ran back a 79-yard touchdown. An exchange of field goals put the game into overtime tied at 34, and in overtime Morten Andersen lined up for another field goal try but it was blocked by Cletidus Hunt. On the ensuing Packers possession Ahman Green fumbled to the Chiefs at their 49, and on the ensuing play Trent Green launched deep to Eddie Kennison, ending with 400 passing yards and a 40-34 Chiefs win.
Green Bay Packers vs. Oakland Raiders
:*Met in Super Bowl II (Packers won 33-14)
:*Series tied 5-5
:*Next scheduled meeting Decembeer 11, 2011 @ Green Bay
:*Signature Moment: The Packers lost five straight meetings to the Raiders following the 1970 merger. In Oakland's first Super Bowl title season they hosted the Packers on October 24, 1976. The Packers scored in the first quarter on a 57-yard Lynn Dickey touchdown to Ken Payne, but in the second quarter Ken Stabler rifled three consecutive touchdown throws, to Dave Casper, Cliff Branch, and Fred Biletnikoff, scores marred by missed PATs on all three. The game was a penalty-laden affair with a combined 26 fouls eating up 270 yards and four Packers turnovers, ultimately ending as an 18-14 Raiders win.
:*Signature Moment: The Packers hosted the Raiders on September 12, 1999 in the first game without coach Mike Holmgren, replaced by former Eagles coach Ray Rhodes. Randy Jordan and Tyrone Wheatley rushing scores put the Raiders up 24-21 but in the final minutes Brett Favre led the Packers downfield in eleven plays despite injuring his thumb after striking Russell Maryland's helmet; a key Corey Bradford catch to the Raiders 1-yard line set up Favre's touchdown to Jeff Thomason and the 28-24 Packers win.
:*Signature Moment: One of the most publicized Brett Favre wins of his career occurred on Monday Night Football on December 22, 2003 as the 4-10 Raiders hosted the 8-6 Packers a day after the passing of Favre's father Irv. Favre played in the game and threw for 399 yards and four touchdowns in a 41-7 Packers rout. The Raiders used three quarterbacks in the game without success while former 49er Jerry Rice managed ten catches for 159 yards.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Minnesota Vikings
:*Met in Super Bowl IV (Chiefs won 23-7)
:*Chiefs lead series 5-4
:*Next scheduled meeting October 2, 2011 @ Minnesota
:*These teams are connected by a 7-hour drive on Interstate 35. Since Super Bowl IV, there have been some memorable moments between these teams.
:*Signature Moment: The closest meeting between the two clubs occurred on December 12, 1999 at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs raced to a 21-0 lead off two Elvis Grbac touchdowns to Tony Gonzalez, but after Gonzalez's second score Robert Tate ran back the ensuing kick for a 76-yard touchdown. Matthew Hatchette's touchdown catch with 40 seconds left in the first half put the score 21-14 Chiefs, then Randy Moss' touchdown catch from Jeff George in the third quarter tied the game. When the Vikings fumbled in the fourth Eric Hicks ran back a 44-yard touchdown for the Chiefs, but Moss ran in a 64-yard punt-return score with 2:38 left in the fourth. The Chiefs drove down and Pete Stoyanovich ended a 31-28 Chiefs win with three seconds to go from 38 yards out.
:*Signature Moment: The Chiefs were the final visitors to Metropolitan Stadium on December 20, 1981. It was largely a defensive struggle, with the Chiefs winning 10-6 after forcing a goal line stand on the last drive of the game. As soon as the game was over, the fans left the stands and took various pieces of the stadium with them.
:*Signature Moment: On December 20, 2003 the 12-2 Chiefs traveled to the Metrodome (exactly 22 years after the last game at Metropolitan Stadium) sporting the league's most powerful offense and one of its most dangerous return units led by Dante Hall. The Chiefs were racing the 12-2 Patriots for the top seed in the AFC with New England at the Jets later that night. The Chiefs' chances, however, were crushed in the first two and a half quarters at the Metrodome as the Vikings exploded to a 31-0 lead; Randy Moss and Jim Kleinsasser caught touchdowns from Daunte Culpepper and Onterrio Smith added a one-yard rushing score. Priest Holmes managed three touchdown rushes (with a missed two-point try) but the Vikings finished off the Chiefs on two additional Smith rushing touchdowns and a 45-20 Minnesota runaway. The game was played exactly 22 years to the day that the Vikings played their last game at Metropolitan Stadium, against the same opponent.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts
:*First met in 1960 @ Dallas
:*Met in Super Bowl V (Baltimore Colts won 16-13)
:*Cowboys lead series 9-5
:*Signature Moment: Dallas' first meeting with the Colts following Super Bowl V came at Memorial Stadium on October 15, 1972 and it was an ugly day for Johnny Unitas and company. Craig Morton threw for 279 yards and two touchdowns despite two interceptions while Calvin Hill added a rushing score while he and Walt Garrison chewed up 124 yards on the ground. Unitas was held to 97 passing yards and an interception in the 21-0 Dallas shutout.
:*Signature Moment: On September 15, 1996, the 1-1 Cowboys hosted the 2-0 Colts, who'd come up a dropped Aaron Bailey touchdown short of meeting the Cowboys in Super Bowl XXX. The Cowboys were in the third game of a league-mandated five-game suspension of receiver Michael Irvin, but Dallas put up a hard challenge to Indianapolis; quarterback Jim Harbaugh was sacked five times and Deion Sanders ran back a Colts fumble for a touchdown, but two Harbaugh touchdowns helped put the Colts up 25-24 late in the game. The Cowboys drove and tried a 57-yard field goal attempt by Chris Boniol in the final seconds, but the ball bounced off the crossbar just short, ending in the Colts win. Bailey, for his part, had five kick returns for 148 yards.
:*Signature Moment: The wildest meeting of the rivalry came on December 5, 2010 at Lucas Oil Stadium as the Cowboys were in their fourth game under interim coach Jason Garrett and had rallied to win twice under Garrett and lose a 30-27 heartbreaker to the Saints on Thanksgiving. The Colts were in a slump where Peyton Manning had thrown game-ending interceptions at Philadelphia and against arch-enemy New England and then was gashed for four picks against San Diego. The Cowboys raced to a 17-0 lead and as the Colts rallied Sean Lee picked off Manning and ran back a 31-yard touchdown, but the Colts took a 28-27 lead halfway through the fourth after Taj Smith scored on a blocked Dallas punt. The Cowboys drove to the Colts 1 and kicked a field goal, but the Colts were flagged for being offsides, so the Cowboys took the extra set of downs and Jon Kitna found Jason Witten for the touchdown, then completed a 2-point conversion. The Colts whipped downfield in the final two minutes and Javarris James scored, putting the game at 35-35 and overtime. In the overtime both teams punted, then Manning threw his fourth interception of the game; after several Tashard Choice runs the Cowboys ended the game on a 38-yard field goal and a 38-35 Dallas win.
Miami Dolphins vs. Washington Redskins
:*Met in Super Bowl VII (Dolphins won 14-7)
:*Met in Super Bowl XVII (Redskins won 27-17)
:*Dolphins lead series 6-4
:*Next scheduled meeting 2011 @ Miami
:*Signature Moment: Dan Marino's 1984 NFL record breaking began on September 2 at RFK Stadium. The Redskins, smarting from their Super Bowl XVIII loss, took a 10-7 lead in the second quarter but Marino went against the Redskins defense with five touchdown throws in a 35-17 Dolphins runaway.
Miami Dolphins vs. Minnesota Vikings
:*First met in 1972 @ Minnesota
:*Met in Super Bowl VIII (Dolphins won 24-7)
:*Dolphins lead series 6-4
:*Signature Moment: Dan Marino erased a 28-0 gap to the Vikings at the Metrodome on September 25, 1994. Warren Moon threw three touchdowns to Cris Carter and Terry Allen added a rushing score, but after that Marino erupted with three touchdown throws of his own and a Bernie Parmalee rushing score. Yet despite that Marino was intercepted three times and the Vikings added a Scottie Graham touchdown and a field goal from former Dolphin Fuad Reveiz to offset a Keith Byars score and a 38-35 Vikings win.
:*The most recent meeting between the two teams came on September 19, 2010 at the Metrodome, where Brett Favre endured a miserable day, throwing three interceptions and being sacked three times. The Vikings fumbled at their goal line in the third quarter and Koa Misi grabbed the ball for a Miami touchdown. The Dolphins rushed for 120 yards, offsetting Adrian Peterson's 156 yard performance as Miami won 14-10.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Minnesota Vikings
:*First met in 1962 @ Pittsburgh
:*Met in Super Bowl IX (Steelers won 16-6)
:*Vikings lead series 8-7
:*Signature Moment: The two teams' very first meeting on November 4, 1962 remains the wildest meeting in the series. John Henry Johnson and Joe Womack rushing scores put the Steelers up 14-0, but Fran Tarkenton touchdowns tied the game at halftime. The Steelers led 26-14 in the third after the Vikings fumbled the ball in the endzone for a safety, but Minnesota raced to a 31-29 lead in the fourth quarter behind two more Tarkenton touchdown throws. The Steelers finished the game on Dick Hoak's rushing score and a 39-31 Steelers win.
:*Signature Moment: The first meeting between the two clubs after Super Bowl IX came on Monday Night Football on October 4, 1976 at Metropolitan Stadium. Terry Bradshaw lofted a one-yard touchdown pass to Bernie Cunningham but the missed PAT foretold the misery coming Pittsburgh's way, as Bradshaw threw four interceptions and was sacked five times; the Steelers also coughed up two fumbles. Virtually all of Minnesota's offense came from Chuck Foreman as he rushed for 148 yards and two scores for a 17-6 Vikings win.
Oakland Raiders vs. Minnesota Vikings
:*First met in 1973 @ Minnesota
:*Met in Super Bowl XI (Raiders won 32-14)
:*Raiders lead series 7-4
:*Next scheduled meeting November 20, 2011 @ Oakland
:*Signature Moment: The only Monday Night Football matchup between the two clubs came on September 14, 1981 at Metropolitan Stadium and the defending champion Raiders made a mockery of the game. Burgess Owens of the Raiders picked off Steve Dils and ran in a 30-yard touchdown. Jim Plunkett had two touchdown throws and Marc Wilson added a third in a Raiders rout marred by two missed PATs by Chris Bahr. The misses did not spoil the outcome, a 36-10 Raiders win.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Denver Broncos
:*First met in 1973 @ Denver
:*Met in Super Bowl XII (Cowboys won 27-10)
:*Broncos lead series 6-4
:*Next scheduled meeting 2013
:*John Elway was 2-1 in his career against the Cowboys. On October 5, 1986 the Broncos hosted the Cowboys and Elway threw for 200 yards and three touchdowns to Gerald Willhite and Gene Lang in a 29-14 Broncos win. On September 10, 1995 Elway traveled to Texas Stadium and endured a tough day, completing just 11 of 24 passes for two touchdowns (both to Anthony Miller) and a pick; Miller caught a third score from Hugh Millen but the Cowboys behind 114 rushing yards from Emmitt Smith and 196 passing yards from Troy Aikman won 31-21. On September 13, 1998 at Mile High Stadium the Broncos raced to a 35-17 halftime lead behind three Elway touchdowns (two passes to Shannon Sharpe and a one-yard quarterback sneak) and two rushing scores from Terrell Davis. Davis added another score in the fourth as the Broncos ran away with a 42-23 win.
:*On December 6, 1992 the Super Bowl-bound Cowboys under Troy Aikman came to Mile High Stadium, but they did not face John Elway, out of action since a 27-13 win over the New York Giants three weeks earlier. Tommy Maddox was under center for the Broncos as the Cowboys raced to a 24-13 lead in the fourth quarter; Maddox led the Broncos back and they took a 27-24 lead, but Emmitt Smith's three-yard score in the fourth helped finish off a 31-27 Cowboys win as four Maddox interceptions stopped the Broncos from the win.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland/LA/St. Louis Rams
:*First met in 1938 (as Pittsburgh Pirates and Cleveland Rams)
:*Met in Super Bowl XIV (Steelers won 31-19)
:*Rams lead series 15-6-2
:*Next scheduled meeting 2011 @ Pittsburgh
:*Signature Moment: The closest matchup between the two teams came in LA on October 2, 1955. The Rams raced to a 17-0 lead in the second quarter, but the Steelers behind rushing scores from Lynn Chandnois and Jim Fink led 19-17 in the fourth. Tom Fears caught a 17-yard touchdown from Norm Van Brocklin but the Rams fumbled on their next possession and Richie McCabe ran back a 50-yard touchdown for a 26-24 Steelers lead. The Rams finally won on a 32-yard field goal from Les Richter, a 27-26 final. The two teams combined for 311 rushing yards and 323 passing yards.
:*Signature Moment: The last Steelers matchup with the Rams in Los Angeles came on September 12, 1993 at Anaheim Stadium and they got their first look at future Pittsburgh legend Jerome Bettis in a 27-0 shutout win by the Rams. The rookie Bettis rushed for 76 yards and a touchdown as Steelers backs Merrill Hoge and Barry Foster were held to a combined 55 yards.
:*Pittsburgh's most recent matchup with the Rams came in their first ever trip to the Edward Jones Dome on December 20, 2007. Following back-to-back losses to New England and Jacksonville the Steelers traded the lead five times in the first two quarters before Ben Roethlisberger touchdowns put Pittsburgh into an insurmountable lead. Marc Bulger managed three touchdown throws but was picked off twice and Ike Taylor scored on a 51-yard interception return as the Steelers won 41-24.
Oakland Raiders vs. Philadelphia Eagles
:*First met in 1971 @ Oakland
:*Met in Super Bowl XV (Raiders won 27-10)
:*Series tied 5-5
:*Signature Moment: At Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum the 8-4 Raiders hosted the 3-9 Eagles in what turned out to be a wild game. After Fulton Walker ran back a 70-yard punt return touchdown the Eagles scored back-to-back touchdowns, via a 62-yard Randall Cunningham pass to Mike Quick and a Gregg Garrity punt return score; Paul McFadden's missed PAT on Garrity's score proved critical, as the game lead tied or changed five times after the first quarter. Jim Plunkett had only 16 completions in 42 throws with two interceptions, but he managed 366 yards and two touchdowns; Chris Bahr's 27-yard field goal late in the fourth forced overtime, but the Eagles whipped to the Raiders 1-yard line and Cunningham punched it in there, ending a 33-27 Eagles overtime win.
:*Signature Moment: The Raiders returned to Oakland in 1995 and on September 24 hosted the Eagles, who raced to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter. It was the last the Eagles saw of the scoreboard as three Oakland quarterbacks (Jeff Hostetler, Billy Joe Hobert, and Vince Edwards) threw for 351 yards and two touchdowns while three Raiders backs rushed for 108 yards and two more scores. The two teams combined for nine turnovers yet the Raiders scored 48 unanswered points in a 48-17 runaway.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
:*First met in 1974 @ San Francisco
:*Met in Super Bowl XVI (Forty-Niners won 26-21) and Super Bowl XXIII (Forty-Niners won 20-16)
:*Forty-Niners lead series 8-3
:*Next scheduled meeting September 25, 2011 @ Cincinnati
:*Signature Moment: After losing eight straight meetings to San Francisco spanning 1978-96 the Bengals won two straight. On December 5, 1999 the Bengals hosted the Niners at Riverfront Stadium. The Bengals jumped to a 10-0 lead after the first quarter but the Niners kept pace in a shootout. The Bengals led 27-10 at halftime but the Niners scored on three Jeff Garcia touchdown throws, two to Jerry Rice. The Bengals, though, sealed the win on Jeff Blake touchdowns to Corey Dillon and Carl Pickens. Four years later on December 14, 2003 the Niners traveled to Paul Brown Stadium. This time under Marvin Lewis the Bengals were playing to end a 12-season string with just one .500 season; they jumped to a 21-17 halftime lead on touchdowns from Jon Kitna to Chad Johnson and Peter Warrick. Future Bengal Terrell Owens had eight catches and a touchdown, but the primary offensive weapon in the game was the Bengals' Rudi Johnson, who ran for 174 yards and two touchdowns. The Bengals led 41-31 late in the fourth and a pair of Kevan Barlow rushing scores could get the Niners no closer than the 41-38 outcome in favor of Cincinnati.
Oakland/LA Raiders vs. Washington Redskins
:*First met in 1970 @ Oakland
:*Met in Super Bowl XVIII (Raiders won 38-9)
:*Raiders lead series 7-4
:*Signature Moment: In 1975, a game between the two teams in RFK Stadium went into overtime, with the Raiders winning 26-23 on a George Blanda field goal. Because the game ran so long, NBC had to push back its scheduled airing of the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory by 45 minutes—a consequence of the "Heidi Game" seven years before (see that article for more info), which the Raiders were also involved in, and was also aired on NBC.
:*Signature Moment: The wildest meeting between the two teams came in the season of their Super Bowl matchup as the Raiders traveled to RFK Stadium on October 2, 1983. The two teams boasted offenses that both finished in the top three in points scored that season and it showed as the unbeaten Raiders faced the 3-1 defending champs. The Redskins raced to a 20-7 lead in the third quarter but Jim Plunkett exploded with three touchdown throws (to Calvin Muhammad and Todd Christensen) and Greg Pruitt ran back a 97-yard punt-return touchdown. Plunkett, however, was intercepted four times and Joe Theismann, who hit 417 passing yards, found Charles Brown and Joe Washington to rally the Skins to a 37-35 win.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Miami Dolphins
:*First met in 1973 @ Miami
:*Met in Super Bowl XIX (Forty-Niners won 38-16)
:*Dolphins lead series 6-4
:*Next scheduled meeting 2012 TBD
:*Signature Moment: Dan Marino's only career win over the 49ers came on November 6, 1983 at Candlestick Park. Marino threw for 194 yards and two touchdowns while Andra Franklin, Tony Nathan, and Woody Bennett rushed for 128 yards. The game lead tied or changed seven times as Joe Montana threw for 232 yards and a touchdown to Dwight Clark but was sacked three times. Roger Craig and Wendell Tyler rushed for 170 yards and Montana himself rushed three times for 12 yards, but Uwe von Schamann's 23 yard field goal ended a 20-17 Dolphins win.
:*Signature Moment: In 1995, at Joe Robbie Stadium, the teams met for the only time so far on Monday Night Football (which aired on ABC, the network that aired Super Bowl XIX). Elvis Grbac was only making his fifth career start, also the fifth of the season, but proved to be a better quarterback than Marino that night, throwing for 382 yards (to Marino's 255) and four touchdowns (to Marino's two) in a 44-20 rout.
Chicago Bears vs. New England Patriots
:*First met in 1973 @ Chicago
:*Met in Super Bowl XX (Bears won 46-10)
:*Patriots lead series 8-3
:*Signature Moment: The Bears hosted the Patriots at Soldier Field in their 1985 season on September 15. The Bears defense began asserting control of the league that year by sacking Tony Eason six times and forcing three interceptions. The Bears led 20-0 before Eason launched a 90-yard touchdown strike to Craig James, preventing a shutout but otherwise making no difference in a 20-7 Bears win.
:*Signature Moment: On November 10, 2002 the Bears hosted the Patriots in Champaign, IL while Soldier Field was being renovated. The struggling Bears were 2-6 and they made a determined effort to win; after a 6-6 tie at the half the Bears erupted after Chris Chandler was knocked out of the game after a vicious hit by Lawyer Milloy on a quarterback sneak. Jim Miller found Stanley Pritchett for an 11-yard touchdown and later Marty Booker took an option pass and threw to Marcus Robinson for a 44-yard touchdown. Down 27-6 the Patriots scored on a swing pass that Kevin Faulk ran in for a 15-yard touchdown. Down 30-19 in the fourth Faulk caught a 36-yard touchdown but a 2-point conversion by Faulk was blown up by Brian Urlacher. The Patriots forced a punt but Brady was intercepted by Bryan Robinson; as Robinson bobbled the ball it was knocked out of his hands by Brady; the play was ruled an interception but went to review and referee Bob McElwee ruled Williams did not control the ball and it was thus an incomplete pass. Brady completed a three-yard quarterback sneak for a first down, then escaped a sack by flipping the ball to Faulk for a first down; finally with 30 seconds remaining he lofted a 20-yard touchdown strike to David Patten and completed a 2-point conversion to Troy Brown, ending a 33-30 Patriots win.
:*Signature Moment: The Patriots hosted the Bears on November 26, 2006 in the first game after Gillette Stadium was resodded with FieldTurf after the natural grass of the stadium deteriorated to unplayable condition. The new surface made for a fast game as the two teams raced up and down the field but ran into a series of turnovers (an Asante Samuel interception, fumbles by Laurence Maroney and Rex Grossman, and a catch punched into the air out of Ben Watson's hands) and a missed Robbie Gould field goal attempt. The third quarter produced another flip-flop of turnovers, first on a double-fumble by Watson and Reche Caldwell, a second Samuel interception, and a tipped Brady pass picked off by the Bears. The game was tied at 10 in the fourth before Tom Brady led the Patriots downfield; he completed a deep bomb to Watson, then ran for a first down by outmaneuevering Brian Urlacher ("You're making me look bad," he said to Brady; "You've made us look bad all night," Brady retorted) before finding Watson for a 2-yard score. Trying to run out the clock with the Patriots up 17-13 Corey Dillon fumbled at the Bears 25 after the 2-minute warning, but Grossman's bomb was intercepted by Samuel, his third of the game, matching Roland James' single-game record from 1983. The win put the Patriots at 8-3 and the Bears at 9-2.
New York Giants vs. Denver Broncos
:*First met in 1972 @ New York
:*Met in Super Bowl XXI (Giants won 39-20)
:*Series tied 5-5
:*Next scheduled meeting 2013, date TBD
:*Signature Moment: The 1998 Broncos' quest for an unbeaten season was ended by the Giants at New Jersey on December 13. John Elway was sacked three times and despite 147 rushing yards and a score by Terrell Davis the Broncos' quest for perfection ended on Amani Toomer's 37-yard touchdown from Kent Graham and a 20-16 Giants win. Adding inconvenience to insult, Davis was scheduled to make an appearance on the Sesame Street television series shooting in New York City the next day, but had to postpone to fly back to Denver for postgame meetings and then fly back to New York for his shooting schedule.
:*Signature Moment: At Giants Stadium Eli Manning came of age as an NFL quarterback on October 23, 2005 as the 3-2 Giants hosted the 5-1 Broncos. Behind 180 rushing yards from Mike Anderson and Tatum Bell the Broncos led 23-10 in the fourth, but Manning stormed the Giants downfield on two touchdown drives; the final drive came in the final minute and Amani Toomer caught a two-yard score with five seconds left for the 24-23 Giants win.
:*On November 26, 2009 the embattled Broncos ended a four-game slide by beating the Giants 26-6 at Invesco Field. Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter combined for 139 rushing yards and a Moreno touchdown while Kyle Orton completed 18 passes for 245 yards and a score. Eli Manning threw 40 passes with 23 completions for 240 yards and a pick while the Giants were limited to just 57 rushing yards.
Washington Redskins vs. Denver Broncos
:*First met in 1970 @ Mile High Stadium
:*Met in Super Bowl XXII (Redskins won 42-10)
:*Broncos lead series 6-5
:*John Elway was 4-1 against the Redskins in regular season competition, and two wild games stood out. On December 13, 1986 the 10-4 Broncos hosted the 11-3 Redskins and a missed Max Zendejas point after try proved decisive as Jay Schroeder threw two touchdowns and George Rogers ran in two more, but the Skins had only 30 points (two-point conversions, a former tactic for the Broncos in their AFL days, would not be brought to the league until 1994) while the Broncos behind two rushing scores from Sammy Winder and a pair of touchdowns (one on the ground, the other a 19-yarder to Steve Watson) from Elway pulled out a 31-30 win. On September 17, 1995 at Mile High Stadium the Broncos raced to a 24-7 lead as rookie Terrell Davis ran in two second-quarter scores. The Redskins, though, stormed back and tied the game at 31 on three Gus Frerotte touchdowns. Elway then finished it off on a 43-yarder to Rod Smith and a 38-31 Broncos win.
:*Mike Shanahan coached both clubs, but missed their 2009 meeting on November 15 at FedEx Field as he was out of football for that year. The Broncos under ill-fated rookie coach Josh McDaniels continued their slide from a 6-0 start by losing 27-17 to the now-3-6 Redskins.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Denver Broncos
:*First met in 1970 @ Kezar Stadium
:*Met in Super Bowl XXIV (49ers won 55-10)
:*Series tied 6-6
:*Signature Moment: The wildest meeting between the two teams came at Mile High Stadium on September 23, 1973. Charley Johnson opened the scoring on an 18-yard touchdown to Jerry Simmons, but the Niners erased Denver's 13-0 second-quarter lead by scoring 30 points well into the third quarter. The Niners stormed to a 33-20 lead in the fourth when Johnson, despite five interceptions, tossed a 19-yard score to Gene Washington and led a subsequent drive ending in a one-yard Floyd Little score. But the Niners finished off the game on Bruce Gossett's 39-yard field goal and a 36-34 Niners win.
:*Joe Montana's former teammate Steve DeBerg led the Broncos to a 24-21 win on September 19, 1982, matching Joe Cool's two touchdown throws with two of his own.
:*John Elway won his first two meetings with the 49ers. On Monday Night Football on November 11, 1985 at Mile High Stadium he shook off 17-degree temperatures with two touchdown throws in a 17-16 grinder. On October 9, 1988 at Candlestick Park Elway's eight-yard touchdown to Vance Johnson tied the game at 13; Joe Montana ran in a score but threw an interception and backup Steve Young was put in during the game; Young threw three passes and was intercepted twice. The game went to overtime and Rich Karlis' 22-yard field goal gave the Broncos a 16-13 win. After the CBS-aired Super Bowl XXIV, however, Elway went winless versus San Francisco, as his Broncos were blown out 42-19 in 1994 and routed 34-17 in 1997, both at The Stick (and aired on national television, the 1994 game a Saturday afternoon contest on NBC and the 1997 game on ABC's Monday Night Football).
:*Signature Moment: In 2000, the teams met on national TV for the fourth time in a row, this time a Saturday afternoon contest on Fox. The game was a blowout like the last three games, but the Broncos were the winners this time, 38-9. It was also the last game ever at Mile High Stadium.
:*Signature Moment: The Niners and Broncos played each other at Wembley Stadium on Halloween 2010 with both teams a combined 3-11. The Niners behind Frank Gore's 118 rushing yards overcame 370 passing yards from Kyle Orton to win 24-16. The game proved fatal to Broncos coach Josh McDaniels, as a Broncos employee illegally filmed a Niners walkthrough before the game and McDaniels was fined and later fired.
New York Giants vs. Buffalo Bills
:*First met in 1970 @ Yankee Stadium
:*Met in Super Bowl XXV (Giants won 21-20)
:*Bills lead series 6-4
:*Next scheduled meeting October 16, 2011 @ New Jersey
:*Signature Moment: The Bills faced the Giants on December 15, 1990 at Giants Stadium. The Bills won 17-13 but the Giants were one of only four teams to that point of the season (Miami, New England, and Houston being the others) to hold the 1990 season's highest-scoring team to 24 or fewer points. The ending was doubly ironic given the two teams' subsequent meeting as the final points of the game were scored by Bills kicker Scott Norwood.
:*Signature Moment: The Bills and Giants met twice on TNT in the 1990s—one of only two interconference match-ups featured on that program more than once. These meetings accounted for the third and fourth consecutive times they met on national television, as the 1990 regular season meeting was a Saturday afternoon affair on NBC. Buffalo won both of the TNT-aired meetings by a field goal, ironically enough. The 1993 meeting in Buffalo actually was not decided with a field goal, but rather, a Jim Kelly touchdown pass. The 1996 meeting in New Jersey was, however, decided with a field goal—but only after the game went into overtime. Steve Christie kicked the game winner in 1996 from 34 yards.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Buffalo Bills
:*First met in 1971 @ Buffalo
:*Met in Super Bowl XXVII (Dallas won 52-17) and Super Bowl XXVIII (Dallas won 30-13)
:*Cowboys lead series 5-3
:*Next scheduled meeting November 13, 2011 @ Dallas
:*Signature Moment: The very first meeting between the Cowboys and Bills, at War Memorial Stadium in Buffalo on September 19, 1971, was a wild affair. Calvin Hill opened up scoring on a two-yard rush in the first quarter, then Dennis Shaw boomed a 73-yard touchdown to Haven Moses, this before O.J. Simpson knifed through the Cowboys defense for a 14-7 Bills lead. The game lead tied or changed eight times in the first three quarters as Hill and Walt Garrison rushed for 162 yards and five touchdowns (four by Hill) while Shaw threw for 353 yards and four touchdowns but also three interceptions. Back to back Hill rushing scores put the game out of reach in the fourth as Dallas won 49-37.
:*Signature Moment: On November 18, 1984 the Cowboys at 7-4 traveled to Rich Stadium to face the 0-11 Bills. Gary Hogeboom and Joe Ferguson had mediocre days with two interceptions apiece, but Ferguson managed a fourth-quarter touchdown throw to Greg Bell, who'd burst to an 85-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter. Bell rushed for 206 yards as the Bills won 14-3, their first win of the season and first over the Cowboys.
:*Signature Moment: In Week Two of the 1993 season the Cowboys hosted the Bills in a rematch of the previous January's 52-17 Super Bowl rout; the game, however, was also taking place amid a bitter contract dispute involving Emmitt Smith. The Bills managed a Jim Kelly touchdown to Carwell Gardner and 75 rushing yards from Thurman Thomas. The Cowboys tied the game at 10 in the fourth but Steve Christie's 35-yarder won it for Buffalo 13-10 as the Bills forced two interceptions from Troy Aikman.
:*Signature Moment: Dallas pulled off one of its most improbable wins on November 8, 2007 on Monday Night Football at Rich Stadium. Tony Romo threw five interceptions; two were returned for touchdowns (by George Wilson and Chris Kelsey) as the Bills led 24-13, but the Cowboys clawed back on a Terrence McGee kick-return touchdown then a Romo score to Patrick Crayton with ten seconds to go; the two-point try failed, but the Cowboys kicked onsides and recovered the kick, and Nick Folk booted a 53-yard field goal on the final play for a 25-24 Cowboys win.
San Francisco 49ers vs. San Diego Chargers
:*First met in 1972 @ San Francisco
:*Met in Super Bowl XXIX (Forty-Niners won 49-26)
:*Series tied 6-6
:*Signature Moment: The highest-scoring matchup in the rivalry came on December 11, 1982 at Candlestick Park. The game lead tied or changed eight times as Joe Montana threw three touchdowns and ran in a fourth; despite two interceptions Montana erased a 31-17 Chargers lead as the Niners took a 37-34 lead in the fourth quarter, but Dan Fouts (five touchdowns, 444 passing yards) found Chuck Muncie from one yard out and a 41-37 Chargers win.
:*The Chargers all but ended any hope of a 2010 playoff spot for the 49ers on December 16, 2010 at Qualcomm Stadium as Philip Rivers was 19 of 25 for 273 yards and three touchdowns. Alex Smith completed 19 of 29 passes for just 165 yards and was sacked five times; the Chargers also held the Niners to just 61 yards rushing.
Green Bay Packers vs. New England Patriots
:*First met in 1973 @ Foxboro
:*Met in Super Bowl XXXI (Packers won 35-21)
:*Patriots lead series 5-4
:*Next scheduled meeting TBD
:*Signature Moment: The Packers won the first two meetings with the Patriots following Super Bowl XXXI, both in Foxboro. On October 27, 1997 Brett Favre threw three touchdowns and Dorsey Levens rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown in a 28-10 Packers win (Super Bowl XXXI was the only such game to have a rematch the next season on Monday Night Football). Five years later on October 13, 2002 the Packers repeated as 28-10 winners; Favre threw three more touchdowns while Ahman Green rushed for 136 yards; former Patriot Terry Glenn had three catches for 19 yards.
:*Signature Moment: On November 19, 2006 the Patriots traveled to Lambeau Field for the first time since 1988, coming off back-to-back losses, while the Packers had won three of their previous four games after a 1-4 start to the season. The Patriots limited the Packers to a missed field goal attempt while Tom Brady completed touchdown strikes to Daniel Graham, Reche Caldwell, Ben Watson, and Laurence Maroney; Brett Favre was sacked late in the second quarter and injured the wrist on his throwing hand, knocking him out of the game, a 35-0 Patriots shutout.
:*Signature Moment: Matt Flynn made his NFL debut at Gillette Stadium on December 19, 2010 as regular Packers starter Aaron Rodgers was sidelined with a concussion incurred in a 7-3 loss to the Detroit Lions the previous week. The Packers opened the game by kicking onsides and recovering the kick; it led to a field goal. After a BenJarvus Green-Ellis rushing score the Packers took over the second quarter with two Flynn touchdowns, beginning with a 66-yard bomb to James Jones. The Patriots scored after a 71-yard kick return by offensive lineman Dan Connolly, leading to an Aaron Hernandez touchdown catch. The Patriots took the lead in the third on a Kyle Arrington interception-return score, but the Packers led 27-21 in the final ten minutes; the Patriots defense finally stymied the Packers (the key play was a goalline stand leading to Mason Crosby's second field goal of the game) and Hernandez caught his second score with 8:41 to go in the fourth. The Packers drove to the Patriots ten in the final seconds but Flynn was sacked on the final play, ending a grinding 31-27 Patriots win. This was actually the second time Al Michaels called play-by-play in a game between these two teams—he was with ABC when they met in 1997, and called this game on NBC.
Denver Broncos vs. Green Bay Packers
:*First met in 1971 @ Milwaukee, WI
:*Met in Super Bowl XXXII (Broncos won 31-24)
:*Series tied 5-5-1
:*Next scheduled meeting 2011 @ Green Bay
:*The Packers made three consecutive trips to Mile High Stadium 1975-84 and lost all three. On Monday Night Football on September 29, 1975 the Broncos rushed for 162 yards and Steve Ramsey connected with Jack Dolbin from ten yards out. The Broncos grabbed a 16-13 lead in the fourth when John Hadl was picked off by Randy Gradishar for a 44-yard score and a 23-13 Broncos win. On November 19, 1978 the Packers took a 3-0 halftime lead and then surrendered touchdowns to Haven Moses and Rob Lytle in the third and a safety after Lyle Alzado sacked David Whitehurst in the endzone, for a 16-3 win. On Monday Night on October 15, 1984 the Packers lost four fumbles and Lynn Dickey was intercepted once. The Broncos scored two touchdowns on fumble returns and held on to a 17-14 win.
:*Signature Moment: Monday Night Football on October 29, 2007 was another Broncos home date with Green Bay and it came a day after the Colorado Rockies were eliminated in the World Series. The Packers took a 13-7 lead but two Jason Elam field goals forced overtime. In the fifth period Brett Favre launched a deep pass caught by Greg Jennings for an 82-yard score and a 19-13 Packers win.
Denver Broncos vs. Atlanta Falcons
:*First met in 1970 @ Denver
:*Met in Super Bowl XXXIII (Broncos won 34-19)
:*Broncos lead series 8-4
:*Next scheduled meeting 2012 TBD
:*Signature Moment: The Falcons ended a six-game Broncos streak in the series on Halloween 2004 at Invesco Field. Michael Vick threw for 252 yards and rushed for 115 more as the Falcons erased a 14-3 Broncos lead and stormed to a 41-28 win. Jake Plummer threw for 499 yards and four touchdowns but was picked off three times; Kevin Mathis ran back one pick for a 66-yard touchdown.
St. Louis Rams vs. Tennessee Titans
:*First met in 1973 (as Los Angeles Rams and Houston Oilers) @ Houston
:*Met in Super Bowl XXXIV (Rams won 23-16)
:*Rams lead series 6-4
:*Signature Moment: On September 24, 1978 the Rams edged out a 10-6 win over the Oilers at the Astrodome in a game that showcased one of running back Earl Campbell's most famous plays as he hit Rams linebacker Isiah Robertson head-first in the chest and lifted Robertson off the ground before continuing on for several more yards.
:*Signature Moment: In their first year as the Titans they hosted the Rams on Halloween 1999 at Adelphia Coliseum. Steve McNair threw two touchdowns and ran in a third as the Titans raced to a 21-0 lead. A third-quarter Al Del Greco field goal provided the cushion to hold off three Kurt Warner touchdowns in a 24-21 Titans win, in what turned out to be a preview of the two teams' subsequent meeting.
:*Signature Moment: The two teams did not meet after the Super Bowl until September 25, 2005 at the Edward Jones Dome. The Titans struck first as Steve McNair connected on a 16-yard touchdown to Ben Troupe, but with the Titans up 10-0 McNair was intercepted by Adam Archuleta at the Rams 15 and Archuleta scored. Marshall Faulk's 13-yard touchdown catch from Marc Bulger put the Rams up 17-10 at the half and Torry Holt's touchdown catch made it 24-10, but the Titans tied the game on McNair's score to Brandon Jones and then a Rams fumble recovered for a touchdown by Antwan Odom. The Rams, though, scored on Kevin Curtis' touchdown catch from Bulger and held on for a 31-27 win.
:*Signature Moment: The Rams returned to the Coliseum in Nashville on December 13, 2009, but the days of The Greatest Show On Turf were long past as the Titans, fighting to salvage a season that began 0-6, made a mockery of the 1-11 Rams. Keith Null started for the Rams and was bullied into five interceptions and just one touchdown (to Randy McMichael). Vince Young tossed a 66-yard score to Chris Johnson and Johnson ran in two more touchdowns. Young suffered a hamstring injury and Kerry Collins finished off the Rams with a touchdown to Alge Crumpler in a 47-7 Titans rout.
:*The two teams have met in preseason games as well as training camp scrimmages. The bitterness of the rivalry spilled into a brawl in August 2008 in Nashville. Cortland Finnegan got into a scrap with Reche Caldwell while Kyle Vanden Bosch got into it with Rams players Mark LeVoir and Adam Goldberg. On August 20, 2011 the Rams hosted the Titans, who after 17 seasons under Jeff Fisher were operating with a new head coach in Mike Munchak and a pair of new quarterbacks in Matt Hasselback, a longtime Rams nemesis from his days with the Seattle Seahawks, and rookie Jake Locker. Rams quarterback Sam Bradford opened the game with an 83-yard touchdown to Brandon Gibson, but the Titans clawed back as their defense limited the Rams running game and limited Bradford's plays after the opening score. The Titans led 17-7 in the second quarter behind 72 passing yards from Hasselback, but the Rams scored in the second quarter on an A.J Feely touchdown, then kicker Josh Brown booted the winning field goal for the Rams as time expired (17-16 final).
Baltimore Ravens vs. New York Giants
:*First met in 1997 @ New Jersey
:*Met in Super Bowl XXXV (Ravens won 34-7)
:*Ravens lead series 2-1
:*Next scheduled meeting 2012 TBD
:*Signature Moment: The very first meeting between the Giants and Ravens occurred on September 14, 1997 at Giants Stadium. The Giants clawed to a 23-14 lead but Vinny Testaverde led a touchdown drive and the winning Matt Stover field goal drive in a 24-23 Ravens win.
New England Patriots vs. St. Louis Rams
:*First met in 1974 (as Los Angeles Rams) @ Foxboro
:*Met in Super Bowl XXXVI (Patriots won 20-17)
:*Series tied 5-5
:*Next scheduled meeting 2012 NFL season @ St. Louis
:*Signature Moment: The Rams hosted the Patriots on November 16, 1986 in what turned out to be a wild finish. The Patriots raced to a 13-0 lead in the second quarter after Rod McSwain scored on a blocked punt. The Rams clawed back and took a 28-16 lead in the fourth after three Jim Everett touchdown throws. Tony Eason tossed a six-yard score to Irving Fryar, then on the game's final play threw a 25-yard pass tipped off Stanley Morgan's hands and caught by Fryar on the rebound in the endzone, ending a 30-28 New England win.
:*Signature Moment: The Patriots went to the TWA Dome on December 13, 1998 with Drew Bledsoe sporting a broken index finger on his throwing hand. Despite a touchdown throw to Lovett Purnell Bledsoe completed only 11 of 35 passes and was intercepted once. Az-Zahir Hakim scored twice, on a Tony Banks catch and a rushing score as the Rams won 32-18 and Bledsoe was shut down for the rest of the 1998 season.
:*Signature Moment: New England's first meeting with the Rams since Super Bowl XXXVI came at the Edward Jones Dome on November 7, 2004 following the end of New England's 21-game winning streak the week before in Pittsburgh. Ty Law was lost for the season the week before and in the opening minute in St. Louis Asante Samuel was knocked out of the game. This forced Bill Belichick to put receiver Troy Brown in as defensive back. Brown defended three passes and in the third lined up for an Adam Vinatieri field goal attempt; instead Vinatieri took the snap and threw it to Brown in the endzone to the surprise of Rams defenders. Bethel Johnson's four-yard touchdown catch in the fourth finished off a 40-22 Patriots win.
:* On August 26, 2010 the Patriots hosted the Rams in the preseason and rookie Sam Bradford made his debut as Rams starter in this game. Bradford calmly led the Rams downfield, going 15 for 22 for 189 yards as the Rams raced to a 27-14 lead. In the third quarter Brady erupted with three successive touchdown throws highlighted by an 85-yard score to Randy Moss, but the Rams erased the Patriots' 35-27 lead on Keith Toston's rushing score, then got the ball back in the waning minutes and drove for the winning field goal and a 36-35 final.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Oakland Raiders
:*First met in 1976 @ Tampa
:*Met in Super Bowl XXXVII (Buccaneers won 48-21)
:*Raiders lead series 6-1
:*Next scheduled meeting 2012 TBD
New England Patriots vs. Carolina Panthers
:*First met in 1995 @ Foxboro
:*Met in Super Bowl XXXVIII (Patriots won 32-29)
:*Series tied 2-2
:*Signature Moment: The expansion Panthers traveled to Foxboro Stadium on October 29, 1995 with both teams at 2-5. The Panthers behind rookie Kerry Collins and 309 passing yards with two touchdowns led 17-3 after three quarters, but two Curtis Martin rushing scores forced overtime, where John Kasay finished it off from 29 yards out and a 20-17 Panthers win.
:*The two teams have met in the preseason five times entering 2011 and three match-ups were more dramatic than most preseason games. The Panthers hosted the Patriots on August 17, 2001 and the game, a 23-8 Patriots win, was notable as a breakthrough game for sophomore Tom Brady, who relieved Drew Bledsoe after the first series and went 11 for 18 for 122 yards and a sixteen-yard score to David Patten; Baltimore Ravens scout Terry McDonough, attending the game, said "Brady is really poised. He looks like he can really play." On August 28, 2004 the Panthers hosted the Patriots in a game considered a rematch of Super Bowl XXXVIII in the area. The Panthers clawed out a 20-17 lead, and in the final seconds the Patriots attempted a tying field goal but Adam Vinatieri missed. On August 24, 2007 the Panthers hosted the Patriots amid concern that Tom Brady would not play in the game (considered the most important of preseason match-ups being the third game in the exhibition season) due to numerous hits in a loss to the Tennessee Titans the week before and the birth of his son John Edward Thomas to actress Bridget Moynahan two days before the game. Brady played, throwing two touchdowns in a 24-7 Patriots win.
:*Signature Moment: The Patriots hosted the Panthers on December 13, 2009 amid controversy over "Late Gate." Days before the game Tom Brady, Randy Moss, Adalius Thomas, and Gary Guyton appeared late to regular film work following a re-emphasis on such from Bill Belichick after losses to New Orleans and Miami; Brady was late as he was attending the birth of a child, his son Benjamin to his wife Gisele Bundchen. He, Moss, Guyton, and Thomas were sent home for being late; Thomas, however, called out Belichick for the discipline and also to criticize the coaches for the team's mediocre defense, having leaked the incident to the media. Thomas' public denunciation of Belichick led to his benching for the game and he was cut after the season. The Patriots offense struggled against the Panthers, winning 20-10 but managing only two Stephen Gostkowski field goals in the second half. Randy Moss was held to one catch, which he fumbled, and several Panthers claimed after the game that Moss quit, an assertion that led to an unusually sharp retort from Belichick.
New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles
:*First met in 1973 @ Philadelphia
:*Met in Super Bowl XXXIX (Patriots won 24-21)
:*Eagles lead series 6-3
:*Next scheduled meeting November 27, 2011 @ Foxboro
:*Signature Moment: Tom Ramsey posted his only career 400-yard passing game on November 29, 1987 at Sullivan Stadium. The Eagles behind Randall Cunningham raced to a 31-10 lead in the fourth quarter but Ramsey, totalling 402 passing yards, erupted with two touchdown passes and a one-yard rushing score. The game went to overtime and Paul McFadden finished off the Patriots on a 38-yard field goal and a 34-31 final.
:*Signature Moment: The Patriots on September 14, 2003 took to Lincoln Financial Field following a pregame report on ESPN where analyst Tom Jackson made the accusation that Patriots players "hate their coach" following the release of Lawyer Milloy. The charge, made without verification on Jackson's part, incensed the Patriots and they responded by whipping the Eagles 31-10. Donovan McNabb completed just 18 of 46 passes and was intercepted by Tedy Bruschi for a late touchdown.
:*Signature Moment: At Gillette Stadium on November 25, 2007 the Eagles made a determined effort to upend New England's 2007 quest for perfection, starting A.J. Feeley in place of Donovan McNabb. Despite giving up an interception-return touchdown to Asante Samuel, Feeley, who'd pulled off a 29-28 upset of the Patriots as Miami Dolphins quarterback, pushed the Eagles forward and the game lead tied or changed eight times. Feeley threw three touchdowns as he and Tom Brady combined for 725 passing yards and four touchdowns; the two teams had a combined 103 rushing yards but managed three scores on the ground. The game was decided in the waning minutes of the fourth when Feeley was intercepted by Samuel again for a 31-28 Patriots win.
:*The two teams have met nearly twenty times in preseason games. On August 13, 2009 the Patriots traveled to Lincoln Financial Field as Tom Brady made his return to action after losing all but the opening eleven snaps of the 2008 season due to injury. Brady threw for 100 yards and two touchdowns, including one to Chris Baker, while undrafted rookie Julian Edelman opened eyes with a long punt return touchdown. The Patriots held off a late Eagles rally to win 27-25, but the story of the night switched from Brady's return to the announcement at halftime that the Eagles had signed Michael Vick, recently reinstated to the league after a prison term, to be a backup quarterback to Donovan McNabb.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Seattle Seahawks
:*First met in 1977 @ Pittsburgh
:*Met in Super Bowl XL (Steelers won 21-10)
:*Seahawks lead series 8-7
:*Next scheduled meeting September 18, 2011 @ Pittsburgh
Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts vs. Chicago Bears
:*First met in 1953 @ Baltimore
:*Met in Super Bowl XLI (Colts won 29-17)
:*Colts lead series 22-18
:*Next scheduled meeting 2012 @ Chicago
New York Giants vs. New England Patriots
:*First met in 1967 @ Harvard Stadium (preseason)
:*First met in 1970 @ Harvard
:*Met in Super Bowl XLII (Giants won 17-14)
:*Patriots lead series 5-3
:*Next scheduled meeting November 6, 2011 @ Foxboro
:*Signature Moment: The Patriots and Giants played at the Yale Bowl on September 22, 1974 and it was a productive day for Mack Herron as he combined with Sam Cunningham for 150 rushing yards and also caught a 12-yard touchdown from Jim Plunkett; Herron also had four returns for 105 yards. Norm Snead of the Giants threw for 272 yards and a pair of scores as the Patriots held on for a 28-20 win.
:*Signature Moment: ESPN debuted its coverage of Sunday Night Football at Giants Stadium as the 1-6 Giants hosted the 4-3 Patriots. Jeff Rutledge and Steve Grogan combined for five interceptions but Rutledge's two second-quarter touchdown throws provided the edge for a 17-10 Giants win. It was the first meeting between the two teams in thirteen years and the first meeting between the Patriots and the linebackers coach of their 1980 squad—Bill Parcells.
:*Signature Moment: The Patriots wrapped up their nightmarish 1990 season by hosting the Giants, on their way to Super Bowl XXV. The Giants won 13-10 as future Patriots Dave Meggett and Matt Bahr accounted for all 13 New York points while Irving Fryar caught a 40-yard touchdown from Tom Hodson.
:*Signature Moment: Bill Parcells led the 1996 Patriots to Giants Stadium on December 21 needing the win to secure a playoff bye. The 6-9 Giants raced to a 22-0 lead as Drew Bledsoe was flagged for a safety on an intentional grounding penalty and later was picked off by Jason Sehorn for a 23-yard interception return touchdown. But Bledsoe, who'd erased a 21-0 gap in the same building to the Jets, began another rally. Ex-Giant Dave Meggett and Curtis Martin were held to a total 29 rushing yards but Meggett ran back a 60-yard punt for a touchdown. Troy Brown caught a first down throw on his back, leading to a 13-yard touchdown strike to Ben Coates as he rolled around two Giants defenders across the goalline. The 23-22 Patriots win secured a bye and also helped end the employment of Dan Reeves with the Giants.
:*Signature Moment: 2007 New England Patriots - New York Giants game.
:*The Patriots and Giants have met over twenty times in preseason matchups. In the fateful 2007 season they met in the preseason, regular season, and the playoffs. They meet again in the preseason on September 1, 2011.
New Orleans Saints vs. Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts
:*First met in 1967 @ War Memorial Stadium
:*Met in Super Bowl XLIV (Saints won 31-17)
:*Series tied 5-5
:*Next scheduled meeting 2011 @ New Orleans
:*Signature Moment: Peyton Manning has faced the team his father Archie quarterbacked five times in his career and is 2-2 against the Saints in regular season matchups. Peyton's first win at the Superdome came on September 28, 2003; Peyton exploded with six touchdown throws in a 55-21 Colts runaway, opening with a seven-yard score to Ricky Antwan Williams; Marvin Harrison caught three scores while former Colt Jerome Pathon caught a late touchdown from Todd Bouman.
:*Signature Moment: The Saints came back from an early 10-0 deficit to win Super Bowl XLIV. The score was 17-16, Colts leading late in the 4th quarter, when Drew Brees hit tight end Jeremy Shockey for a two-yard touchdown pass to give the Saints a 22-17 lead with 5:42 to play. The Saints successfully converted the ensuing two-point attempt when Lance Moore made an amazing diving catch at the goal line, giving New Orleans a 24-17 lead. Driving to attempt to tie the game, a Peyton Manning pass intended for Reggie Wayne was intercepted by Tracy Porter, who returned it 74 yards for a touchdown, with 3:12 remaining in the game, clinching victory for the Saints, 31-17.
:*Signature Moment: Since 2003, games between the teams have been popular for national television. The 2003 game aired on ESPN, the 2007 game on NBC as the Thursday night Kickoff Game, Super Bowl XLIV aired on CBS, and NBC will air the 2011 meeting.
Green Bay Packers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
:*First met in 1933 @ Green Bay
:*Met in Super Bowl XLV (Packers won 31-25)
:*Packers lead series 18-14
:*Next scheduled meeting 2013 NFL season @ Green Bay
:*Signature Moment: The biggest rout by the Packers in the rivalry came on November 23, 1941 at Pittsburgh as Joe Hoague ran in a one-yard touchdown in the first quarter and then the Packers erupted with 54 unanswered points, led by Hal Van Every's three touchdowns, one an 86-yarder off a Steelers interception.
:*Pittsburgh's most recent trip to Lambeau Field came on November 6 of the Steelers' 2005 Super Bowl season. With the Packers at 1-6 Brett Favre had more passing yards (214) than the Steelers had yards of offense (213) as the Steelers were without Ben Roethlisberger after a 20-19 Monday Night win over the Ravens the week before. Charlie Batch managed just 65 passing yards as Troy Polamalu and Duce Staley touchdowns sufficed for a 20-10 Pittsburgh win.
:*Signature Moment: The wildest meeting between the two clubs came on December 20, 2009 at Heinz Field. The Packers had won five straight while the Steelers had lost five straight and had fallen out of playoff contention. Pittsburgh opened with a 60-yard Ben Roethlisberger touchdown to Mike Wallace in the game's opening minute, and five minutes later Aaron Rodgers answered from 83 yards out to Greg Jennings. The Steelers led 24-14 entering the fourth and Mason Crosby missed a field goal attempt early in the second quarter. The miss proved fatal although early in the fourth quarter Rodgers began a furious Packers rally on a touchdown toss to Jermichael Finley and a 24-yard Ryan Grant score. A Jeff Reed field goal with four minutes to go put the Steelers up 30-28 but then Mike Tomlin called for an onside kick—which did not work and the Packers scored just before the two-minute warning on a Rodgers throw to James Jones and a two-point throw to Brandon Jackson. Roethlisberger led the Steelers downfield and on the final play rifled a 19-yard touchdown to Wallace; the PAT secured the win for Pittsburgh 37-36. Roethlisberger passed for 503 yards, breaking his former backup Tommy Maddox's club record 473 yards in a 34-34 tie with the Atlanta Falcons in 2002.

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