Ravens-Steelers: An NFL rivalry for the ages

The rivalry remains one of the fiercest and most competitive in the National Football League, if not all of sports. “They have a lot of good, physical players who are gifted at stopping the run”. “It’s a little warmer and a little more cozy if you have a onesie with footies on there”. We respect their quarterback. These guys are great at what they do – all of them. It was not a real long scamper or anything, but I was able to move around and what not. It’s really everything football is supposed to be. “But I don’t ever make excuses”.

It’s still Pittsburgh’s only victory in the past seven meetings between the two teams that will meet for the de facto AFC North title game on Christmas night, a rare blowout in a series dominated by taut defensive struggles usually decided by a kicker. After a win over Cincinnati on November 27, Flacco criticized Mornhinweg for being too conservative. “If we have one rushing yard or 200 rushing yards, it doesn’t matter”, said Steelers guard David DeCastro.

Head coach John Harbaugh said the Ravens will keep a business-as-usual routine, but acknowledged the uniqueness of the situation. The under has cashed in the past three meetings along with eight of the last 10 games for Pittsburgh overall.

Lately, it’s worked. Flacco has eight touchdown passes in his last three games, and Baltimore has won five of seven following a four-game skid. Quarterback Joe Flacco launched two touchdowns, one apiece to receivers Steve Smith Jr. and Kamar Aiken while running back Terrance West racked up 77 yards at 5.9 yards per attempt, his second-highest rate in any game this season.

In that game Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin might have been trying to protect Roethlisberger, who had missed extended time recovering from major knee surgery. Weddle told reporters. “That’s pretty surreal to think about”. Nothing more out there for us than to have a chance at the division against the rival team. “So hopefully we’ll stay healthy out there and play our best”. Wallace caught four balls for 124-yards in the Week 9 contest against the Steelers, including a 95-yard catch and run score in the first quarter.

There was no 24-hour rule in effect following the victory over the Bengals that eliminated the defending AFC North champions from playoff contention. “It needs no endorsement from me”.

“Once you get a balance, you’ve got a defense on their toes”, said Rogers.

That could’ve been the play that led to the end of their season if the Ravens hadn’t stopped a two-point conversion and held on for a 27-26 win.

“It will mean a lot if we win a couple games down the stretch and get into the playoffs”, the ninth-year quarterback said Wednesday. “That probably would be what I would have to say”. Roethlisberger was returning from injury, perhaps a little too soon, and he had one of his less memorable days in Baltimore.