The 12 Greatest Quarterback Rivalries in NFL History

Some of these pairs met in four title games, others mostly in barroom debates about who was better. Playoff history settles less than you would think.

1. 1
   Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning

   Seventeen meetings between 2001 and 2015, including five playoff games and four AFC title games.
   1000pts
2. 2
   John Elway vs. Dan Marino

   Two stars of the 1983 quarterback draft class, compared for the next sixteen seasons.
   794pts
3. 3
   Patrick Mahomes vs. Joe Burrow

   Back-to-back AFC Championship Games in January 2022 and 2023, one won by each.
   680pts
4. 4
   Joe Montana vs. Steve Young

   The 49ers' quarterback controversy between a four-time champion and his successor.
   600pts
5. 5
   Jim Kelly vs. Dan Marino

   Bills against Dolphins, twice a year in the AFC East through the late 1980s and 1990s.
   448pts
6. 6
   Patrick Mahomes vs. Josh Allen

   The AFC's defining duel of the 2020s: Kansas City owns the playoff meetings, Buffalo the regular-season ones.
   448pts
7. 7
   Brett Favre vs. Aaron Rodgers

   Green Bay's succession fight, from backup to Favre's departure and a rivalry inside the NFC North.
   448pts
8. 8
   Tom Brady vs. Ben Roethlisberger

   Patriots against Steelers in two AFC Championship Games, after the 2004 and 2016 seasons.
   448pts
9. 9
   Troy Aikman vs. Steve Young

   Cowboys against 49ers in three straight NFC Championship Games from 1992 to 1994.
   353pts
10. 10
    Sammy Baugh vs. Sid Luckman

    Redskins against Bears in three NFL Championship Games between 1940 and 1943, starting with a 73-0 rout.
    241pts
11. 11
    Johnny Unitas vs. Bart Starr

    Colts and Packers fought for the Western Conference through the 1960s.
    241pts
12. 12
    Tom Brady vs. Eli Manning

    Eli's Giants beat Brady's Patriots in two Super Bowls, including the one that ended a perfect season.
    240pts

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