Every NFL season produces a handful of games that transcend fandom. The rivalry, the stakes and the matchup are simply too good to miss.
Here are the four best current rivalries in the NFL heading into 2026.
Mahomes vs. Allen Remains the NFL’s Premier Quarterback Rivalry
Whenever these two teams appear on the schedule, the game demands attention.
The main reason is simply the quarterback play. When two of the best quarterbacks in the league — Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen — play each other, it’s always fireworks.
Allen holds a 5-1 record against Mahomes in the regular season. However, the Chiefs are undefeated in their playoff encounters with the Bills, with a 4-0 record.
The high-level quarterback play has also produced some of the most memorable playoff games of the last decade.
Even though Kansas City has won all of the playoff matchups, it doesn’t mean they aren’t iconic. For example, the 2021 AFC Championship, 2022 Division Round, and the 2025 AFC Championship games.
Fortunately for all football fans, the Bills and the Chiefs will play each other again this upcoming season on Thanksgiving Day. This matchup will only up the stakes with the national audience. Additionally, it is closer to playoff time.
The Bears and Packers Played Three Instant Classics Last Season
To most, this was the most unexpected three-game stretch the NFL had to offer last season. This thrilling stretch came from longtime rivals the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers.
Both teams were in constant playoff contention throughout the season. They played each other in Weeks 14 and 16. They also played in the Wild Card round in the playoffs.
The Packers took the first win in Week 14 in a tight game, winning 28-21. The game was closed by Caleb Williams throwing an interception with eight seconds left. As a result, the Packers knelt out the rest of the game.
However, the Bears bounced back in a strong way by winning their next two matchups. Both became all-time classics as Williams found D.J. Moore to close out the game both times. Once in overtime in Week 16, and a second time late in the fourth quarter in the Wild Card round.
Now that the power dynamic has shifted Chicago’s way, will this light a fire under Matt LaFleur and the Packers to bounce back? Or will Ben Johnson keep the hot streak going his second season with the Bears?
This storied rivalry should remain one of the NFL’s best for years to come. This is possible with young franchise quarterbacks in Caleb Williams and Jordan Love leading the way for both teams.
The Ravens and Steelers Are Still the AFC’s Most Physical Rivalry
Throughout the whole history of the NFL, the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers have always been one of the most heated rivalries. This still stands to this day in 2026.
Physical, hard-nosed, close games, top-tier defense and heated trash talk — that’s what this rivalry is built on.
The AFC North division has usually been a battle between the two teams to decide who comes out on top. This season was no different.
Their first matchup in Week 14 had much at stake with playoff contention and winning the division at hand. In this game, the Steelers were able to pull through with a win. They stopped Lamar Jackson from a game-winning drive later in the fourth quarter.
Unfortunately for Baltimore, their Week 18 matchup was no different as Pittsburgh managed to pull through after Ravens kicker Tyler Loop missed a game-winning field goal. This made the Steelers the AFC North Champions.
The 2026 season should bring more of the same from these two AFC rivals. They are almost guaranteed to have tight matchups that will determine playoff contention. This is especially true with another Week 18 game.
The Rams and Seahawks Produced the Best Games of the 2025 Season
Perhaps the best games the NFL had in the 2025 season were from the Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks and their NFC West rival Los Angeles Rams.
One team has a powerhouse offensive unit with multiple superstars, including the Rams with league MVP Matthew Stafford. Meanwhile, Seattle has one of the best defenses in the league, led by head coach and defensive mastermind Mike Macdonald.
Their first battle was in Week 11 at Los Angeles, with running back Kyren Williams carrying the load for the Rams with 91 yards and one touchdown, leading them to a 21-19 victory.
Then, in perhaps the game of the year in Week 16, this time in Seattle, the two teams fought to the end until the Seahawks eventually scored in overtime and converted on a two-point attempt, closing the game with both teams scoring a combined 75 points.
The NFC Championship delivered another shootout. Seattle’s defense ended it by stopping Stafford’s potential game-winning drive.
In that game, both quarterbacks had 340-plus passing yards, three touchdowns, and zero turnovers, showing that both offenses couldn’t be stopped until Seattle did just that when it mattered.
The two teams are expected to continue producing marquee matchups in 2026, with at least two meetings on the schedule.
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