When the Baltimore Ravens meet the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night, a fiery rivalry will once again ensue. It will be the 4th time these teams have met in the postseason, with the Hometown Steelers winning the previous 3.
The first being in 2002, a battle between two mediocre QBs (Kordell Stewart, Elvis Grbac) resulting in a 27-10 Pittsburgh victory. A game most in Baltimore would gladly forget. In January of 2009, these teams met for the 2nd time in the playoffs. This event culminating 7 years after the previous postseason tilt. It was Joe Flacco’s rookie campaign, led by a 11-5 record they stormed into the playoffs only to be stopped in their tracks by the division champs. Two years later they met again for Joe’s revenge. After a dominant performance in the first half, Big Ben came out of the locker room connected with Rookie at the time, Antonio Brown to take the lead and eventually the win. Drowning any hope of a win against their dreaded rivals.
Much has changed since the AFC championship game back in 2009. The Ravens come equipped with a potent Offense to this contest, something they had little of four years ago and any year other than 2012 for that matter. Rounded out by Flashy Torrey Smith, “Icey” Steve Smith Sr and journeyman running back Justin Forsett, RavensNation witnessed the highest scoring offense since the reincarnation of the team in 1996. Their opponents from Heinz Field are fielding a defensive lineup that isn’t much different from 2009. Other than rookie upstart Ryan Shazier and a few other solid contributors, they have a squad that has been together a few years. Timmons, Worilds, Heyward and veteran leaders Polamulu and Harrison all have 3 or more seasons with the club.
On the Ravens Defense they will be sporting an entirely new team from most years, due to retirements of key guys, (Ray Lewis, Ed Reed) and enough injuries to collapse most teams. Cornerbacks are dropping like flies, Baltimore is now down to their 7th string at that position, a scenario rarely experienced in the NFL. Although leadership has been questioned throughout the past two seasons, the talent can’t be. Suggs and Dumervil has become a force to be reckoned with. Leading the league in sacks for a pair with 29 and a combined 64 tackles/2 Forced Fumbles, this dynamic duo has put their stamp on the NFL this year, something Big Ben knows all to well. In his illustrious career no player has sacked Ben more than Sizzle, add Dumervil’s stellar pass rush and The Steelers O Line is going to have more than their hands full. With Le’Veon Bell listed as doubtful, the Black and Yellow squad will have to rely on breakout star Antonio Brown, whom is more than up to the challenge. Landing in the top 3 for almost all WR stat categories, Brown will be a primary target come Saturday. A depleted secondary will have to be on their toes to keep up with the speedy Steeler.
Both teams missed out on the playoffs last year and are seeking postseason glory after solid regular season outings. The Steel curtain is no longer and the days of Ray Lewis Smashmouth Defense are done but this doesn’t mean these two haven’t created their own football identity. With a steady mix of young and old, breakout stars and two Super Bowl quarterbacks, this early January matchup will be one for the ages.
So as the date fast approaches, fans from the Steel city and the DMV will be in heated arguments across the global social media scene, each fanbase exposing the other trying to gain some sort of psychological advantage. In reality nothing is set in stone, like previous games before this, this is a clash of two titans, two equally powerful offenses , special players on both sides of the ball. Mixed with the fact both teams have more hatred for each other than any other rivalry in football today.
Either side can come out with the W, one thing is for sure, anything is possible on “Any Given Sunday”. (Or for this case, Saturday)
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