As a long-standing team, it is common for the Pittsburgh Steelers to have gathered worthy competitors over time. The matches between the Steelers and any competing team are always zealous and have produced some memorable moments in the league that are still being referenced to date. The Steelers may not compete against all of them yearly, but when they do, the match is usually one for the books. Those matches are usually exciting; one would never want to miss them. If you have a pending assignment and it's match time, you can even be tempted to buy a custom essay so you don't miss the match writing the paper. Let us take a look at some of the top Steelers' rivals over the years.
Joe Sargent / Getty Images
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.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens and Steelers have the most heated competition in the league. Their competitiveness has been evident from the physical play and extreme defining moments that remain the talking points. They have gone head-to-head in the playoffs several times, with the Steelers carrying the day in most matches. However, the margin is often so close, displaying the nature of stiff competition and the hard work that these teams put into delivering good results.
Both of them are famous for their defensive play, making the games more physical and fierce. The antagonism between them extends post-match, as the fans from both sides are passionate about their teams, and while they respect the players' talents, there is friction that has existed for years now. The antagonism attracts a large audience, which has resulted in the Ravens-Steelers games being given prime time slots.
New England Patriots
The Steelers and New England Patriots have had unforgettable playoff battles. Their meet-ups are often high-pressure and usually determine who proceeds to the Super Bowl. The Patriots have always been a stumbling block for the Steelers since they have prevented them from advancing to the Super Bowl several times, specifically during the Tom Brady era.
Winslow Townson / AP
Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger (left) and former New England Patriots quarterback, Tom Brady (right) embrace after a game.
The Patriots are tough competitors and have always held the upper hand during normal seasons and the high-stakes playoffs. The strife has brought forth its fair share of dramatic and controversial battles that have translated into contentious moments during game days. Both teams have diehard fans who bring the energy to the field whenever the two teams are playing. The online wars from fans can also not be missed since fans from both teams show up in online discussions to defend their teams.
Las Vegas Raiders
The rivalry with the then-Oakland Raiders to the now-Las Vegas Raiders has existed since the 1970s when both teams were top of the league. They have played against each other several times in the playoffs, bringing the discord and zeal that makes the games worth watching. The 1972 AFC Divisional Playoffs began the rivalry when the Steelers won 13-7. The Raiders, however, got their wins in the 1976 AFC Championship, where they defeated the Steelers and proceeded to win the Super Bowl.
The iconic status of the teams' strife has been chiefly because of how physical the games get and the controversies that come from the dramatic finishes. Additionally, these two teams often meet during playoffs, making their games more significant since they determine who proceeds to the Super Bowl. While the severity of their antagonism has diminished over the years, the historical significance of their competition is still celebrated and has left a legacy in the NFL.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys and Steelers have played against each other extensively in the Super Bowl. The matches between these two teams have always been highly anticipated since they have been dominant teams since the 1970s. You would not want to miss a clash between these two teams. You would even delegate your assignments to the best essay writing service to attend the match.
The Steelers have won twice against the Cowboys, who reveled in Super Bowl XXX, 1996, where they won, with Larry Brown getting the MVP award thanks to his two interceptions. The games between these two teams were always seen as a battle between the two most successful teams in the league.
The Cowboys and Steelers matchups are usually charged with dramatic comebacks since both teams are playing for the prize and pride of winning the Super Bowl. Their games are usually high stakes, with the fans going wild with their support. Besides, the matches attract media attention due to the many people who are tuned into the game and the controversial post-match discussions and banter between fans. While the discord is not as intense as before, games between Steelers and Cowboys still attract much attention and debate. The strife between these two teams has created a rich history and culture around them.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns and the Steelers have always had intense and quite bitter rivalries, and this is because they are very close in geographical location. The 2002 AFC Wild Card game could be called historical as the Steelers came back from a large deficit to win 36-33. Such comebacks and nail-biting finishes have added more spice to the rivalry between these two teams. Even though the Steelers have dominated their encounters, the games are still intense, and the two teams fight it out with a small difference in the score, especially within the last few seasons.
Ron Schwane | Credit: AP
Former Steelers QB Mason Rudolph (2) absorbs a blow from his own helmet by Browns DL Myles Garrett (95).
The drama and controversies surrounding the Browns and Steelers games have gripped over the years. One of the most talked about is the helmet-swinging incident that resulted in Myles Garett being fined and suspended indefinitely from the NFL. The games usually draw emotions from the fans and players, which causes intense altercations on the field. The teams have different fortunes and personnel, but the rivalry lives on and has been followed closely by fans and the media.
Final Thoughts
The Steelers have won many games in the NFL's history, which has given the team more rivals. It has also sharpened the spirit of other teams who want to be in the top NFL ranking. It is quite normal, given that most of these games are championship games that determine whether a team goes to the playoff round or not or if they will become the Super Bowl champions. They also make it fun to watch the games since the rivalries draw a lot of fan and player energy into the matches. Although some of the rivalries have faded over the years, it is important to note that they played a great role in enhancing the teams' performance, history, and culture.
