Pittsburgh Steelers Receive Direct Warning From AFC North Rival Baltimore Ravens: "It's Going To Be Different"

The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a very interesting spot as the 2024 season inches closer. For starters, the organization completely revamped the roster in an attempt to remain competitive in a scary AFC North division. The main thing that separates the franchise from the other three teams is the quarterback position. Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow and Deshaun Watson will resume their duties as starting signal-callers, while Steelers General Manager Omar Khan made it a point to flip the room upside down with Russell Wilson now expected to lead the way. A lot has changed in the Steel City.

Burrow and Watson are both coming off of seasons in which they dealt with injuries, but Jackson won his second MVP Award after dominating opposing defenses for the majority of the 2023 campaign. Pittsburgh seems to have his number, but the addition of Derrick Henry combined with a number of play-makers on the offensive side of the ball could lead to the Baltimore Ravens having a stunningly good offensive unit.

One of the more underrated players for Baltimore is tight end Isaiah Likely. He gets overshadowed by Mark Andrews, but stepped up in a big way when his teammate went down with an injury late in the 2023 season. The duo is extremely dynamic and their abilities partnered with the rushing attack led by Jackson and Henry has the potential to be lethal. Likely told Ryan Mink of the Ravens' official website that he and Andrews should be a terrifying one-two punch for other teams to worry about.

"We talk to the other one and are like, 'Man, that one time we both get to go out there and do this thing together, it's going to be special.' That's what we preach every day in practice."

He continued speaking about what Baltimore's offense will be capable of and even hinted at the fact that it might not be like anything anyone has ever seen before when it comes to when the group is clicking.

"When everyone is hitting on all cylinders, it's going to be different," Likely said.

The Steelers' defense will surely be in for a tall task when going up against the Ravens in Weeks 11 and 16. Head Coach Mike Tomlin has had Jackson's number for a long time, even Henry as well, but Andrews has always been a thorn in Pittsburgh's side.

The Ravens are rightfully favored to win the AFC North, but in reality, all four organizations could be the top team at the end of the season. The Ravens lost some pieces on defense, including linebacker Patrick Queen coming to play in the black and gold. There's a strong advantage with the signing for Pittsburgh, as Queen has gone up against Ravens offenses for a few years now, minus the Henry piece of it.

Pittsburgh and Baltimore have always had respect for one another, but once the opening kickoff starts a contest, it's pure hatred in between the white lines. With the talent both teams possess, fans can expect the rivalry to crank up a notch in 2024, especially with Queen coming to play for the Steelers. It's going to be a lot of fun to watch the two franchises compete. Likely is already setting the standard now that the offense for the Ravens could be extremely scary.

Steelers Dealt Rough Hand With 2024 NFL Schedule

One could argue that Pittsburgh has it the toughest in the AFC North from a schedule standpoint. Having to play in all six divisional games within the last eight weeks of the season is nearly torture. Players will need plenty of ice baths, but winning cures all when it comes to the NFL's most physical division. If Tomlin and co. can own the Ravens as they have in recent years, the possibility of the AFC North crown is well within reach.

Do you think the Ravens could have the NFL's best offense in 2024? Let us know in the comments below!

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