By Kevin Nielsen, Sportsnet.ca
With the Lions and Cowboys hosting their annual Thanksgiving matchups this Thursday (live on Sportsnet) we thought what better way to help celebrate the American Turkey Day than by looking at the top five rivalries in the NFL.
While there have been many classic rivalries in the NFL over the years, today’s 32 teams multiplied by a 16-game schedule means rivalries ebb and flow. In no particular order, here are what we think are the best five going right now.
Dallas Cowboys – Washington Redskins
The Redskins rivalry with the Cowboys precedes even the Cowboys’ existence as Redskins owner George Preston Marshall opposed the proposal for an expansion team to be placed in Texas. In retaliation, the would-be owners of the Dallas Cowboys then purchased the rights to ‘Hail to the Redskins’ and threatened to ban the Skins from using their fight song. Marshall backed off his opposition to the Dallas franchise and in 1960 the Cowboys were born.
The Cowboys hold a 55-35-2 edge in the series simply known as "The Rivalry," but the ‘Skins have won both times they have met in the NFC Conference championship.
The first time was Jan. 23, 1983, when the Redskins won 31-17 on their way to winning the Super Bowl, but the victory carried equal weight to the world title for Washington.
| Last five meetings: | |
| Nov. 5, 2006 | Washington 22, Dallas 19 |
| Sept. 10, 2006 | Dallas 27, Washington 10 |
| Dec. 18, 2005 | Washington 35, Dallas 7 |
| Sept. 19, 2005 | Washington 14, Dallas 13 |
| Dec. 26, 2004 | Dallas 13, Washington 10 |
Said Redskins coach Joe Gibbs after that game: “I haven’t even thought about the Super Bowl. This is our Super Bowl, this was everything rolled into one. The Redskins versus Dallas, the team we wanted to beat the most. How can you top that?”
The most recent notable battle took place on Nov. 5, 2006 in a game Redskins’ fans call the ‘Hand of God’ game. In the span of less than 60 seconds there were three field-goal tries before the Redskins won one of the wildest finishes in NFL history.
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| Washington kicker Nick Novak. (Getty) |
With 31 seconds remaining and the teams tied 17-17, Washington kicker Nick Novak missed a 49-yard attempt. Dallas promptly marched the other way and with just six seconds remaining, set up for a 35-yard attempt of its own. However, Canadian kicker Mike Vanderjagt – the most accurate kicker in NFL history – had his kick blocked by Washington’s Troy Vincent. The ball was picked up by Sean Taylor, who carried it into Dallas territory as time expired. The game should have headed into overtime, but the Cowboys’ Kyle Kosler was flagged for a facemask and received a 15-yard penalty, giving the Skins one last kick at the can. Novak then booted a 47-yarder for the 20-17 win.
The pair meet for the first time Sunday in Washington and then close out the season in Dallas.
