While the The NFL’s Most Underrated Rivalries in 2024 promotes its marquee matchups like Cowboys-Eagles and Chiefs-Bills, several intense rivalries fly under the radar despite having major consequences for playoff seeding and division titles. These underappreciated feuds combine bad blood, strategic chess matches, and franchise-altering implications that deserve more national attention.
What Makes a Rivalry Underrated?
Before revealing our selections, let’s define the criteria:
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Not regularly featured in prime time slots
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Involves at least one small/mid-market team
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Has produced multiple recent memorable moments
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Directly impacts playoff races
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Features clear stylistic contrasts
According to rivalry historians at NFL Newsz, underrated NFL feuds typically share:
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72% involve division matchups
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65% feature at least one franchise QB
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89% have had at least one controversial officiating incident
1. Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans (AFC South Blood Feud)
Why It Matters in 2024:
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Both teams fighting for division crown
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Trevor Lawrence vs. Will Levis QB duel emerging
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Last 5 meetings decided by average of 3.2 points
Recent History:
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2023 Week 18: Titans upset Jags to eliminate them from playoffs
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2022: Jags’ 20-16 win sparked their division title run
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Derrick Henry’s dominance (6 straight 100-yard games)
Key 2024 Matchup:
Week 14 (Dec 8) – Potential division decider
2. Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings (NFC North Grudge Match)
Underrated Factors:
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Dan Campbell vs. Kevin O’Connell coaching rivalry
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Last 4 games featured 3 walk-off field goals
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Justin Jefferson vs. Aidan Hutchinson star power
Statistical Oddity:
Vikings have won 14 of last 16 despite similar talent levels
2024 Implications:
Both teams currently hold NFC Wild Card spots
3. Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills (AFCEast’s Hidden War)
Why Overlooked:
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Always overshadowed by Patriots history
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Bills’ recent dominance (won 7 of last 8)
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Small market vs. smaller market
2024 Twist:
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Dolphins’ offense vs. Bills’ defense strength-on-strength
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Tua’s concussion history vs. Buffalo’s physical D
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Week 18 matchup could decide division
4. Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Rams (NFC West’s Quiet Conflict)
Underappreciated Elements:
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Pete Carroll vs. Sean McVay tactical battles
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9 of last 11 meetings decided by one score
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DK Metcalf vs. Jalen Ramsey history
2024 Subplot:
Both teams fighting for final NFC playoff spot
Historical Note:
Seahawks lead all-time series 27-25 despite Rams’ recent success
5. Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals (AFC North’s New Main Event)
Why It Surpasses Steelers Rivalry:
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Lamar Jackson vs. Joe Burrow QB showcase
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2022 playoff classic (24-17 Bengals win)
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Both teams top-5 in AFC currently
Recent Drama:
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2023: Ravens’ last-second win kept Bengals out of playoffs
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2021: Bengals ended Ravens’ playoff hopes Week 17
2024 Showdown:
Week 11 (Nov 16) – Thursday Night Football spotlight
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints (NFC South’s Hate-Fest)
Underrated Because:
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Both markets dwarfed by NFC East/North
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Baker Mayfield vs. Derek Carr lacks star power
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National media ignores division
Why It Matters:
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Winner likely takes weak NFC South
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Mike Evans vs. Marshon Lattimore personal feud
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5 of last 7 decided by field goals
7. New York Jets vs. New England Patriots (AFC East’s Forgotten Feud)
Resurgence Factors:
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Robert Saleh vs. Bill Belichick mind games
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Sauce Gardner vs. Patriots’ WRs lockdown battles
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Zach Wilson’s redemption arc vs. Pats’ D
Historical Context:
Jets have lost 14 straight but 8 were one-score games
2024 Angle:
Could decide which team finishes last in division
What Makes These Rivalries Special
Coaching Conflicts
4 feature opposing coaches with personal history
3 involve former assistants facing mentors
Style Clashes
5 pit elite offense vs elite defense
2 feature run-heavy vs pass-happy philosophies
Fan Intensity
All rank top-10 in divisional road game hostility
3 have documented tailgate altercation histories
Why These Rivalries Remain Overlooked
Market Size Issues
5 involve zero top-10 media market teams The NFL’s Most Underrated Rivalries in 2024
Only 1 (Ravens-Bengals) gets regular national coverage
Timing Problems
4 typically scheduled for 1pm Sunday slots
0 have Thanksgiving Day appearances
“New Money” Factor
3 lack the 20+ year history networks prefer
2 displaced more traditional rivalries
Historical Moments That Defined These Feuds
Titans-Jaguars
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1999 AFC Championship Game
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2018 “Miracle in Nashville”
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2023 Week 18 elimination game
Lions-Vikings
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1999 “Wrong Way” playoff game
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2016 “10 Second Runoff” controversy
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2022 Justin Jefferson’s 3-TD game
Dolphins-Bills
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1990s Marino vs. Kelly shootouts
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2022 “Snow Bowl” in Buffalo
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2023 “Clock Mismanagement” game
Fantasy Football Implications
Start These Players in Rivalry Games
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Any WR facing Vikings (allow most WR fantasy points)
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RBs vs. Titans (3rd most RB points allowed)
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QBs vs. Seahawks (worst pass defense DVOA)
Bench Considerations
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WRs vs. Jets (allow fewest WR points)
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TEs vs. Ravens (best vs TE coverage)
Betting Trends in These Matchups
Consistent Patterns
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Jaguars-Titans: Under is 7-1 last 8
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Lions-Vikings: Home team 11-2 ATS
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Dolphins-Bills: Bills -6.5 average cover
2024 Opportunities
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Ravens-Bengals: Over has hit 5 straight
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Bucs-Saints: Road team 6-1 ATS
Why These Rivalries Deserve More Hype
Recognizing underrated feuds helps The NFL’s Most Underrated Rivalries in 2024:
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Casual fans discover compelling storylines
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Broadcasters schedule better matchups
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Players embrace rivalry intensity
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Historians preserve NFL legacy games
Read More: NFL’s Biggest Surprises of 2024: Unexpected Breakouts, Shocking Struggles, and Game-Changing Trends
Final Verdict: Which Rivalry is Most Underrated?
While all seven deserve more attention, the Jaguars-Titans feud stands out for its consistent drama, playoff implications, and personal animosities. Their Week 14 matchup could decide the AFC South for the second straight year.
For more hidden NFL storylines and rivalry deep dives, visit NFL Newsz—your source for football analysis beyond the headlines.
Which underrated rivalry is your favorite? What did we miss? Join the debate in the comments!
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