NFL rivalries aren’t just built on touchdowns and tackles but are fueled by grudge-holding, finger-pointing, and some truly top-tier pettiness. Whether it’s a social media jab, a shady trade, or a public comment that kept receipts alive for years, every team has had its moments.
Some franchises live for the drama, while others play it cool—until they don’t. Here’s a lighthearted but slightly judgmental ranking of all 32 NFL teams, from the least to the most petty this century.
32. Minnesota Vikings
They’re more known for heartbreak than hostility, often taking the high road even after crushing playoff exits. Honestly, we want to hug them.
31. Indianapolis Colts
Aside from firing shots at the Patriots over deflated footballs, the Colts usually keep things pretty tame. Their brand is more “midwestern polite” than petty.
30. Detroit Lions
This team hasn’t had enough recent success to get petty about anything. Throwing shade isn’t a priority when you’re just trying to survive.
29. Houston Texans
Still figuring out who they are as a franchise, the Texans don’t have a long enough rivalry resume to start being messy. Their drama has mostly been internal.
28. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have had moments, but mostly stay quiet and try to make it through a season without chaos. Petty isn’t precisely their personality trait.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars
They got feisty during that 2017 AFC Championship run, but otherwise? They’re too busy rebuilding to beef with anyone.
26. Chicago Bears
A team with this much history would be messier, but the Bears keep their salt off social media. Most of their pettiness is directed inward.
25. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers are too busy inventing new ways to lose close games to get tangled in petty wars. They’re more tragic than toxic.
24. Seattle Seahawks
Their petty peaked during the Legion of Boom era, but lately, they’ve been pretty chill. Letting Russ cook (and then leave) was the closest they got to spicy.
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
They were quiet until Tom Brady arrived, and suddenly, they had things to flex about. They were a little late to the party, but they showed up.
22. New York Giants
They’ve fired off a few shots here and there, especially at the Eagles and Cowboys. But overall, the Giants prefer to let their Super Bowl wins do the talking.
21. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals have dabbled in pettiness, especially when they feel disrespected. Kyler’s social media scrubbing was probably their peak moment.
20. Atlanta Falcons
Blowing a 28-3 lead will haunt them forever—and they know it. So now, whenever they win anything, they make sure you hear about it.
19. Carolina Panthers
They’re the kind of team that acts above it until they’re not. Remember Cam Newton’s MVP run? That swagger was dripping in silent spite.
18. Green Bay Packers
They’re not loud but quietly smug—especially when owning the Bears. The Aaron Rodgers era brought some low-key villain energy.
17. New York Jets
They don’t win often, but they rub it in when they do. Their media circus alone brings a particular brand of drama.
16. San Francisco 49ers
They have a long memory and a longer list of enemies. Their feud with the Seahawks alone had enough petty moments to fill a documentary.
15. Buffalo Bills
Bills Mafia is loud, proud, and very online. And when they’re not jumping through tables, they’re clapping back at any slight.
14. Denver Broncos
They’ve had salty moments, especially when rival QBs come to town. And when they’re good, their swagger turns just a little snarky.
13. Cincinnati Bengals
The new Bengals are bold and brash and are not afraid to talk a little trash. Joe Burrow’s confidence alone pushes them into the top half.
12. Los Angeles Rams
From relocating cities to over-the-top Super Bowl parades, the Rams don’t mind ruffling feathers. They’re not subtle, and they don’t try to be.
11. Tennessee Titans
Whether dancing on logos or sending social media subtweets, the Titans aren’t afraid to stir things up, especially regarding AFC South rivals.
10. Cleveland Browns
A team this tortured has every right to be petty—and they are. From Baker’s callouts to celebrating regular-season wins like Super Bowls, they live for the drama.
9. Philadelphia Eagles
Nobody holds a grudge like Philly fans, and the team takes on that same energy. Every win is a statement, and every loss is someone else’s fault.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers
This franchise has a history of letting things simmer below the surface until they explode. Their petty comes in waves, but when it hits, it’s glorious.
7. New Orleans Saints
From lawsuits over blown calls to never letting go of the “no-call” NFC Championship, the Saints are the kings of long-term saltiness.
6. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs were humble, but winning changed everything. No, they’re flashy, confident, and unafraid to throw shade.
5. Washington Commanders
They’ve had a petty owner, a petty front office, and petty Twitter fingers for years. Even when they were losing, they still managed to stir up drama.
4. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders have always leaned into the villain role, and pettiness is part of their DNA. The move to Vegas didn’t change that attitude one bit.
3. Dallas Cowboys
They haven’t won much lately, but that hasn’t stopped them from acting like they have. The Cowboys’ brand is 50% tradition, 50% delusion-fueled pettiness.
2. Baltimore Ravens
Between social media shade, draft night stunts, and coordinated clapbacks, the Ravens have mastered the art of competitive pettiness. They don’t forget and they don’t forgive.
Read More: 10 Reasons Why the Boston Red Sox-Yankees Rivalry Fuels So Much Hate
1. New England Patriots
Nobody has weaponized pettiness more effectively than the Patriots. From Deflategate to awkwardly timed press releases, this dynasty was built on dominance and salty receipts.
Read More: The 10 Pettiest NFL Fanbases of All Time
