We all know the Green Bay Packers have long-term rivalries with the other three teams in the NFC North. The Packers and Chicago Bears are the team’s oldest rivalry. The Minnesota Vikings and Packers have a long history of battling for division titles while the Packers and Lions have a tradition of Thanksgiving games and close battles.
But who are the Packers biggest rivals outside the NFC North? These rivalries change over time depending on playoff meetings, coaching changes, and player movements. Here are the Packers current top five rivalries outside the NFC North:
Packers Rivalry Number 5: New York Jets
When the Packers traded Aaron Rodgers to the Jets this offseason, this immediately became a new rivalry. The Packers may not see the Jets for sure on their schedule until 2026 and Rodgers may no longer be playing by then.
In addition to Rodgers, ex-Packers on the current Jets roster include Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, Billy Turner, Tim Boyle, and Adrian Amos.
The Packers are now depending on how often Rodgers plays to determine whether they get a first or second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The last few months created a new rivalry for the Packers even if the teams won’t play too often.
Rivalry Number 4: Seattle Seahawks
This rivalry has cooled off a little bit recently, but the Packers and Seahawks met in the playoffs four times since 2000 including the 2014 NFC Championship Game. Former Packers backup Matt Hasselbeck took over as quarterback of the Seahawks and former Packers coach Mike Holmgren later coached them.
The rivalry between Rodgers and Russell Wilson also added fuel to the fire in recent years.
The Seahawks finished 9-8 last year and surprised a lot of people by making the playoffs. If the Packers hope to make the playoffs this season, Seattle is likely a team they will be fighting for a potential wild card spot.
Rivalry Number 3: New York Giants
The Packers and Giants rivalry dates all the way back to 1928. There have also been eight postseason matchups between these two historic franchises including five NFL Championship Games and three NFC playoff meetings.
The Packers are Giants met last year in London marking the first time the Packers played a regular-season game overseas.
The Packers hold a 34-27-2 edge overall in the series and have won five of the eight postseason meetings.
Packers Rivalry Number 2: San Francisco 49ers
This rivalry dates to 1950 but really got intense after former 49ers assistant Mike Holmgren took over as the head coach of the Packers. The teams have met nine times in the playoffs starting in 1995 with the Packers winning four of them.
Both teams have run variants of the West Coast offense for many years, and both have been consistent winners as well.
There have been magic playoff moments for both teams including the Packers breakthrough upset in San Francisco in 1995 that announced the Packers as an elite team and the 1997 NFC Championship Game.
The Packers lead the all-time series 38-33-1.
Rivalry Number 1: Dallas Cowboys
The Packers and Cowboys first met in 1960 and there was an immediate rivalry within the rivalry. Packers coach Vince Lombardi and Cowboys coach Tom Landry were both assistants with the New York Giants in the 1950s before taking over their respective teams.
The Packers beat the Cowboys in the 1966 and 1967 NFL Championship Games with the Packers winning both times including the Ice Bowl which is the most famous game in Packers history.
The Packers lead the all-time series 21-17 in the regular season while splitting their eight playoff meetings. Green Bay has won the last three regular season matchups and the last two playoff games as well.
This is always a much-anticipated game between two NFC contenders and is the Packers biggest rivalry outside the NFC North.
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