The Pittsburgh Steelers and the rest of the AFC North all consider one another their rivals, but one matchup stands out - when Pittsburgh takes on the Baltimore Ravens. This rivalry has been somewhat disrespected due to the two not having a postseason matchup recently, and neither team having any true success like getting to or winning the Super Bowl since the 2012 season. One another's records go out the window when the two team's meet up, as Pittsburgh accounted for two of Baltimore's four losses during the 2023 NFL season.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin (right) and Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh (left) talk during warmups before the game at then-Heinz Field on September 30, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Players that have been a part of this rivalry know just how important it is. These games get chippy, and the two teams really don't like each other. Pittsburgh has struggled over the last few seasons, but typically these matchups play a major factor in deciding who will win the AFC North. During the 2000s and 2010s, most seasons, the AFC North was Pittsburgh's or Baltimore's to lose. Now, the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns are both competitive enough to compete for the division title.
Former Ravens coach, Dennard Wilson, recently went on the podcast Green Light with Chris Long. He spoke about the rivalry with Pittsburgh, and how it differs from other rivalries around the league.
"Baltimore-Pittsburgh rivalry is something I've never seen before. I've been in multiple divisions, I've been in the old school black and blue division with the Chicago Bears, you know being in the division with Philly and Dallas. The Pittsburgh-Baltimore rivalry is totally different. The first thing they say is you're not a true Raven until you beat the Steelers. So like that's huge, and it doesn't matter how good the team is, what your record is, when you line up against the Steelers or Baltimore, it is a bloodbath. It's old school football."
Wilson has bounced around the NFL over the last decade working his way up the coaching ladder. He will be embarking on his first season as a defensive coordinator with the Tennessee Titans in 2024. In 2023, he was the defensive backs coach for Baltimore. He spent just one season with the Ravens and could immediately see the impact of the rivalry and just how special it is. Wilson also never became a true Raven, as Baltimore lost both games to Pittsburgh in his one season with the Ravens.
Kevin Richardson
Former Ravens Defensive Backs Coach Dennard Wilson during a practice in 2023.
The Pittsburgh and Baltimore rivalry has dwindled some in the national media. The two haven't played a primetime matchup since the 2022 season, when they used to matchup against each other what seemed like once a season in a stand alone game slot. The rivalry between the two teams should intensify going forward, as Pittsburgh stole Patrick Queen from the Ravens during free agency this year. Pittsburgh also signed another former Raven in DeShon Elliott.
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Patrick Queen during a practice with the Baltimore Ravens.
Steelers Have Owned The Rivalry With Baltimore During The 2020s
Queen now comes to the winning side of the rivalry as of late, where he's expected to be one of the best inside linebackers in the NFL for Pittsburgh. Queen was drafted by Baltimore ahead of the 2020 season, and only managed to win one game against Pittsburgh in his four seasons with the Ravens. Pittsburgh has gone 7-1 in their last eight matchups with Baltimore, including currently holding a three-game winning streak.
The lone game the Steelers lost to Baltimore over the last four seasons was a game where Mitch Trubisky essentially handed the game over to the Ravens, throwing three interceptions. Trubisky was forced to play after Kenny Pickett got diagnosed with a concussion early in the first quarter.
Despite Wilson being in some intense rivalries in the NFC North and NFC East, the Ravens and Steelers clearly stand out more to him. Do you think that rivalry intensifies in 2024 with Queen now a member of the Black and Gold? Comment below!
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