5 best NFL revenge games of all-time

In the NFL, some of the best storylines to come out have to do with revenge games. Revenge games can take place for a number of reasons, such as a legend changing teams and wanting to go back and get one over on his former employers.

Or, it could be a disgruntled player made to leave a team and wanting to let his old side know exactly how valuable of a football player he is.

The bad blood surrounding these matchups makes it an intriguing watch for NFL fans across the world. Here are five of the best revenge games of all-time.

#5 - Steve Smith vs the Carolina Panthers (2014)

Steve Smith spent the first 13 years of his NFL career with the Carolina Panthers after being drafted in 2001, until his departure following the 2013 season. Just a few months later, he switched to the Baltimore Ravens, and when they faced up against Carolina, Smith tore them to shreds.

Smith caught seven passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns as the Ravens beat the Panthers 38-10. One of Smith’s touchdown catches wasn’t even a pass intended for him as he caught a tipped ball from a teammate, proving that luck can be on your side when you need it most.

Smith didn’t trash talk, like he used to do, after the game. That was, possibly, a sign of respect for his former employers.

Listen to Steve Smith cop to giving up his old #Panthers playbook to the #Ravens before his first game against his former team. This is tremendous. twitter.com/gmfb/status/10…

#4 - Jon Gruden vs the Oakland Raiders (2003)

Head coach Jon Gruden was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from the Oakland Raiders prior to the 2002 season. So when the pair met in Super Bowl XXXVII, Gruden must have been hoping for a performance for the ages from his team, in his first season in the job.

He got just that as Tampa Bay trounced the Raiders, with Oakland quarterback Rich Gannon being intercepted five times, a Super Bowl record which still stands!

The Buccaneers ran out 48-21 winners, and Gruden got the last laugh as the team that had traded him had been humiliated. He did, however, return to the NFL and to Oakland as head coach in 2018, lasting until 2021.