NFL's Best Rivalry?

[cwfRaven]

Yeah I remember how annoying it was when the Steelers spout off. Ryan Clark famously said, "Its not a rivalry if only one side wins all the time." (I'm paraphrasing lol) and I think now its swtiched to the other side, as Ravens fans we expect to beat the Steelers, where as a few years ago we were more hoping we would beat them. We've gone from measuring ourselves against the best in our divison to measuring ourselves against the best in the NFL.

 

Well said. And kind of a cool thought too - says something about our standards. :)

[cwfRaven]

I think you need to admit that the table has turned and the Ravens are now, by far, the better Team.  And you have to make the POs(or maybe past the first round?) to be beaten!

 

That said, "on any given day" still applies, especially with the added juice of this storied rivalry. I know my interest remains and by no means have these games been checked off as "sure wins".

 

:229031_rofl:

[GrimCoconut]

First off the best rivalry is Steelers v Ravens

you swept us two years ago yes......but we swept you in 2008......three times actually

and the ravens have never been able to beat us in the playoffs....out of three tries right

so before you jump the gun and think this rivalry is one sided in your favor......remember these things
I think the rivalry just leveled out a bit....making it all the more interesting

Yeah. I think the Steelers rivalry excitement will return to me when they make the playoffs again. I think them being out of the playoffs has made me lose some excitement.

It's not that the games aren't competitive. The Steelers were very competitive last year when we played them--both times. I don't know what it is that made the allure dissipate. I'm sure it will return soon enough.

[SteelersProphet]

I think you need to admit that the table has turned and the Ravens are now, by far, the better Team.  And you have to make the POs(or maybe past the first round?) to be beaten!

 

That said, "on any given day" still applies, especially with the added juice of this storied rivalry. I know my interest remains and by no means have these games been checked off as "sure wins".

no I don't agree that the ravens are by far the better team.....lets go through it

 

One... in the two games last year we split.....and that was without our starting QB in either.....and we beat you with our third string

 

Two... yes the past two years a mixture of injuries and bad luck have kept us from going far in the playoffs....but three years ago we were in the superbowl.....why weren't the ravens there...oh yea they lost....who did they lose to...oh yea the steelers

 

Three....last year the ravens went on a run in the playoffs that was great......they earned the championship by getting hot at the right time, which is common. but you guys were not that same team during the regular season....you almost lost the division even though Ben couldn't play for the most important stretch

 

don't get cocky

[Tank 92]

no I don't agree that the ravens are by far the better team.....lets go through it

 

One... in the two games last year we split.....and that was without our starting QB in either.....and we beat you with our third string

 

Two... yes the past two years a mixture of injuries and bad luck have kept us from going far in the playoffs....but three years ago we were in the superbowl.....why weren't the ravens there...oh yea they lost....who did they lose to...oh yea the steelers

 

Three....last year the ravens went on a run in the playoffs that was great......they earned the championship by getting hot at the right time, which is common. but you guys were not that same team during the regular season....you almost lost the division even though Ben couldn't play for the most important stretch

 

don't get cocky

 

 

Cocky?  As I said, "on any given day". Every team loses games to inferior teams. At this point, the squealers are(and have been for a couple of years) the inferior team compared to the Ravens. Not being cocky, just stating fact. 

 

And to repeat, IMO the games with the squealers will always be tough, hard fought match ups no matter the state of either franchise.

[cwfRaven]

no I don't agree that the ravens are by far the better team.....lets go through it

 

One... in the two games last year we split.....and that was without our starting QB in either.....and we beat you with our third string

 

Two... yes the past two years a mixture of injuries and bad luck have kept us from going far in the playoffs....but three years ago we were in the superbowl.....why weren't the ravens there...oh yea they lost....who did they lose to...oh yea the steelers

 

Three....last year the ravens went on a run in the playoffs that was great......they earned the championship by getting hot at the right time, which is common. but you guys were not that same team during the regular season....you almost lost the division even though Ben couldn't play for the most important stretch

 

don't get cocky

 

All valid points. I think what we have going for us from here on out though, is exactly what you said - we are not the same team as we were in the regular season. Cam is gone. And yes, we've had offseason losses but many of them have been offset by upgrades.

[SteelersProphet]

Cocky?  As I said, "on any given day". Every team loses games to inferior teams. At this point, the squealers are(and have been for a couple of years) the inferior team compared to the Ravens. Not being cocky, just stating fact. 

 

And to repeat, IMO the games with the squealers will always be tough, hard fought match ups no matter the state of either franchise.

 

the Steelers have won more games than lost the last two years....a lot of franchises would call them good years

 

we are not an inferior team.....just wait and see

[SteelersProphet]

All valid points. I think what we have going for us from here on out though, is exactly what you said - we are not the same team as we were in the regular season. Cam is gone. And yes, we've had offseason losses but many of them have been offset by upgrades.

 

I agree that cam being gone is good.....but I can say that the Steelers needed a year to learn Haley's system

 

also I can say the same thing about the Steelers losses.....we filled all the holes with younger talent

[pitchblack_20]

When will the Ravens gets the respect they deserve? Everywhere I look everyone is downing the Ravens. The Bengals are the team to beat? LMAO They're good won't take that away but we are the defending CHAMPIONS for crying out loud.

[Tank 92]

the Steelers have won more games than lost the last two years....a lot of franchises would call them good years

 

we are not an inferior team.....just wait and see

 

 

Not comparing them to the rest of the league, they come from the AFC North where REAL football is played. But 'cmon man! You know the Ravens are now the 1000 lb gorilla in the division!..........  just wait and see.

[SteelersProphet]

Not comparing them to the rest of the league, they come from the AFC North where REAL football is played. But 'cmon man! You know the Ravens are now the 1000 lb gorilla in the division!..........  just wait and see.

 

lol ok fair enough.......im looking forward to it

[berad]

My "hate" has diminished slightly since hiney retired.  I now just hate the thought of possibly losing to them!

 

I enjoyed seeing Hines' terrible last couple of years. From banging his head against a plexiglass barrier during his DUI, getting demolished by Jarret Johnson and Ray Lewis, collecting a gimmick shovel pass as his 1000th (then being immediately run off the field), and finally being forced into retirement. Ahhh, good times.

 

But the Steelers still have enough for me to hate them - that's what keeps the rivalry going. It's lasted through guys like Ward, Cowher, Porter, Holmes, Bettis, etc - same guys on our side. Only the uniforms and intensity have stayed the same.

 

It's hard for me to invision anticipating a game more, being more elated/sullen at a win/loss, than a Steelers game. They're our biggest rival, best rivalry in the league.

[cwfRaven]

When will the Ravens gets the respect they deserve? Everywhere I look everyone is downing the Ravens. The Bengals are the team to beat? LMAO They're good won't take that away but we are the defending CHAMPIONS for crying out loud.

 

They won't. We're a bunch of old, slow, thugs, with an overpaid, crappy QB whose salary ruined the team. Just ask Skip.

[Tank 92]

I enjoyed seeing Hines' terrible last couple of years. From banging his head against a plexiglass barrier during his DUI, getting demolished by Jarret Johnson and Ray Lewis, collecting a gimmick shovel pass as his 1000th (then being immediately run off the field), and finally being forced into retirement. Ahhh, good times.

 

But the Steelers still have enough for me to hate them - that's what keeps the rivalry going. It's lasted through guys like Ward, Cowher, Porter, Holmes, Bettis, etc - same guys on our side. Only the uniforms and intensity have stayed the same.

 

It's hard for me to invision anticipating a game more, being more elated/sullen at a win/loss, than a Steelers game. They're our biggest rival, best rivalry in the league.

 

 

Yep.  I'm with 'ya.

[gabefergy]

no I don't agree that the ravens are by far the better team.....lets go through it

One... in the two games last year we split.....and that was without our starting QB in either.....and we beat you with our third string

Two... yes the past two years a mixture of injuries and bad luck have kept us from going far in the playoffs....but three years ago we were in the superbowl.....why weren't the ravens there...oh yea they lost....who did they lose to...oh yea the steelers

Three....last year the ravens went on a run in the playoffs that was great......they earned the championship by getting hot at the right time, which is common. but you guys were not that same team during the regular season....you almost lost the division even though Ben couldn't play for the most important stretch

don't get cocky

Four...8-8 and missing the playoffs for the 2nd time in 4 years. Yes, there was a SB in there as well, but the Steelers are moving out of their window if opportunity.

Five...just look at the rosters. Any objective evaluator of talent will tell you the Ravens are better and deeper at most positions.

Six...Tebowed

Seven...recent history. Ravens have won in Pittsburgh the past 3 seasons and are 4-2 in the regular season over that span. Also Ravens two straight Division Championships followed by AFCCGs and most recently of course the SB.

I don't ever discount the Steelers because they are a prideful team, but some of the losses over the past couple seasons are downright embarrassing. There are a lot of question marks for your team, including the health of your QB and age of many veterans on defense.

[CARavensFan]

First off the best rivalry is Steelers v Ravens

 

you swept us two years ago yes......but we swept you in 2008......three times actually

 

and the ravens have never been able to beat us in the playoffs....out of three tries right

 

so before you jump the gun and think this rivalry is one sided in your favor......remember these things

I think the rivalry just leveled out a bit....making it all the more interesting

 

I never said the rivalry wasn'st still a great one, if you look at thing over the long stretch then you could say that things have leveled out. However, right now things have swung to the Ravens side of things at the moment, which balances when things were more in favor of the Steelers a few years ago.

 

If the Steelers are able to come back healthy for most the season the rivalry will get interesting, but that would be the sticking point for the Steelers health has been as elusive as Ray Rice coming out of the backfield for the Steelers right now ;)

 

Quit discounting the Steelers. They're a dangerous team and, more importantly, they play us harder than anyone else.

 

If Steelers week doesn't get your blood pumping, I don't know what to say. How can you not hate the guys? :P

 

Not discounting them at all, their games are some of favoriates and I look forward to them. My point was more that right now we are measuring outselves against other teams besides just the Steelers. A few years back Harbs and Ozzie were talking about building the team to beat the Steelers because at that time there were coming off a Super Bowl apperance and had won the division multiple times, they were the class of the NFL. Now they have slipped a little the last few years for multipl reasons so they are no longer the best of best that we can measure ourselves against. But that doesn't mean they are not still a very dangerous team.

[berad]

Not discounting them at all, their games are some of favoriates and I look forward to them. My point was more that right now we are measuring outselves against other teams besides just the Steelers. A few years back Harbs and Ozzie were talking about building the team to beat the Steelers because at that time there were coming off a Super Bowl apperance and had won the division multiple times, they were the class of the NFL. Now they have slipped a little the last few years for multipl reasons so they are no longer the best of best that we can measure ourselves against. But that doesn't mean they are not still a very dangerous team.

 

Absolutely agree with that.

 

It will be a different feeling with teams gunning for us, coming off of a championship

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

no I don't agree that the ravens are by far the better team.....lets go through it

 

One... in the two games last year we split.....and that was without our starting QB in either.....and we beat you with our third string

 

Two... yes the past two years a mixture of injuries and bad luck have kept us from going far in the playoffs....but three years ago we were in the superbowl.....why weren't the ravens there...oh yea they lost....who did they lose to...oh yea the steelers

 

Three....last year the ravens went on a run in the playoffs that was great......they earned the championship by getting hot at the right time, which is common. but you guys were not that same team during the regular season....you almost lost the division even though Ben couldn't play for the most important stretch

 

don't get cocky

 

So, a bunch of injuries is excuse for the Steelers, yet your victory with a 3rd string QB over a 2nd and 3rd string defense is impressive?

 

We didnt get "Hot" at the right time. We got healthy at the right time.

[Tank 92]

Four...8-8 and missing the playoffs for the 2nd time in 4 years. Yes, there was a SB in there as well, but the Steelers are moving out of their window if opportunity.

Five...just look at the rosters. Any objective evaluator of talent will tell you the Ravens are better and deeper at most positions.

Six...Tebowed

Seven...recent history. Ravens have won in Pittsburgh the past 3 seasons and are 4-2 in the regular season over that span. Also Ravens two straight Division Championships followed by AFCCGs and most recently of course the SB.

I don't ever discount the Steelers because they are a prideful team, but some of the losses over the past couple seasons are downright embarrassing. There are a lot of question marks for your team, including the health of your QB and age of many veterans on defense.

 

Well said.

 

 

So, a bunch of injuries is excuse for the Steelers, yet your victory with a 3rd string QB over a 2nd and 3rd string defense is impressive?

 

We didnt get "Hot" at the right time. We got healthy at the right time.

 

 

And again.......

[SteelersProphet]

Four...8-8 and missing the playoffs for the 2nd time in 4 years. Yes, there was a SB in there as well, but the Steelers are moving out of their window if opportunity.

Five...just look at the rosters. Any objective evaluator of talent will tell you the Ravens are better and deeper at most positions.

Six...Tebowed

Seven...recent history. Ravens have won in Pittsburgh the past 3 seasons and are 4-2 in the regular season over that span. Also Ravens two straight Division Championships followed by AFCCGs and most recently of course the SB.

I don't ever discount the Steelers because they are a prideful team, but some of the losses over the past couple seasons are downright embarrassing. There are a lot of question marks for your team, including the health of your QB and age of many veterans on defense.

Last 5 years regular season record

 

          Steelers  Ravens

 

2012     8-8        10-6  (Ravens won Superbowl) (Steelers missed playoffs)

2011   12-4        12-4  (Ravens lost AFC Championship) (Steelers lost to the Broncos)

2010   12-4        12-4  (Steelers lost Superbowl) (Ravens lost to the Steelers)

2009    9-7          9-7   (Ravens lost to the Colts) (Steelers missed playoffs)

2008   12-4        11-5  (Steelers won Superbowl) (Ravens lost AFC Championship to the Steelers)

 

That's all recent history.....and it looks Pretty even to me

 

and the ravens have many embarrassing loses themselves......im sure most of you remember them without me having to bring them up

[SteelersProphet]

So, a bunch of injuries is excuse for the Steelers, yet your victory with a 3rd string QB over a 2nd and 3rd string defense is impressive?

 

We didnt get "Hot" at the right time. We got healthy at the right time.

 

one Its not an excuse its a reason(the difference being im not saying it excuses our losses just explains them)......and two the fact we beat you with our third string QB is not impressive.........but obviously we are not as far apart as you all like to think

[beanfigger]

one Its not an excuse its a reason(the difference being im not saying it excuses our losses just explains them)......and two the fact we beat you with our third string QB is not impressive.....its embarrassing.....because obviously we are not as far apart as you all like to think

 

Bottom line is, when healthy, Big Ben will always give the Steelers a chance to win any game.  That's a tall ask in recent years, and this year it might be even harder as Pitt might have to rely on him to do even more than usual.  Personally, I think the Ravens (last year's division champs) improved this offseason, while the Steelers (last year's third place team) took a step or two back.  However, Tomlin and Roethlisberger can never be counted out.  Better watch out, though, because don't you guys have the Raiders on your schedule again this year?  What's up with you guys always losing to them?

[SteelersProphet]

Bottom line is, when healthy, Big Ben will always give the Steelers a chance to win any game.  That's a tall ask in recent years, and this year it might be even harder as Pitt might have to rely on him to do even more than usual.  Personally, I think the Ravens (last year's division champs) improved this offseason, while the Steelers (last year's third place team) took a step or two back.  However, Tomlin and Roethlisberger can never be counted out.  Better watch out, though, because don't you guys have the Raiders on your schedule again this year?  What's up with you guys always losing to them?

 

I disagree we took a step back

 

and I don't know why we have a tough time with the raiders.....I think they still think its the 70's

[gabefergy]

Last 5 years regular season record

 

          Steelers  Ravens

 

2012     8-8        10-6  (Ravens won Superbowl) (Steelers missed playoffs)

2011   12-4        12-4  (Ravens lost AFC Championship) (Steelers lost to the Broncos)

2010   12-4        12-4  (Steelers lost Superbowl) (Ravens lost to the Steelers)

2009    9-7          9-7   (Ravens lost to the Colts) (Steelers missed playoffs)

2008   12-4        11-5  (Steelers won Superbowl) (Ravens lost AFC Championship to the Steelers)

 

That's all recent history.....and it looks Pretty even to me

 

and the ravens have many embarrassing loses themselves......im sure most of you remember them without me having to bring them up

No recent history is Steelers 1 and done (TEBOWED) and 8-8. The 2011 -2013 Steelers are a far cry from the 2008 or 2010 Steelers. That's what happens when you have an old roster. Meanwhile the Ravens have gotten way younger and made the playoffs 5 straight seasons getting closer to and finally winning the SB each season.

 

 

The Ravens may have had some embarrasing losses, but they didnt keep them from making the posteseason or facing an early exit,

 

Ravens: Ascending / Steelers: Descending

[SteelersProphet]

No recent history is Steelers 1 and done (TEBOWED) and 8-8. The 2011 -2013 Steelers are a far cry from the 2008 or 2010 Steelers. That's what happens when you have an old roster. Meanwhile the Ravens have gotten way younger and made the playoffs 5 straight seasons getting closer to and finally winning the SB each season.

 

 

The Ravens may have had some embarrasing losses, but they didnt keep them from making the posteseason or facing an early exit,

 

Ravens: Ascending / Steelers: Descending

Its funny how all of a sudden the 2008 steelers and the 2010 steelers are these great teams that we are no longer....I remember in 2008 a lot of "experts"(kind of like the ones who think our roster is no good") said that the steelers had the worst offensive line and no team with an offensive line that bad could possibly go to the superbowl.......and in 2010 we had so many injuries and everybody said that we limped into the playoffs and most didn't pick us to beat the ravens......

 

those teams were "no good" or "too old" or "injury prone"...and now they are just called Champions(2010 team were AFC champions)

 

the steelers haven't had a losing season since a lot of you starting watching the ravens play......don't count us out because we never are

[gabefergy]

Its funny how all of a sudden the 2008 steelers and the 2010 steelers are these great teams that we are no longer....I remember in 2008 a lot of "experts"(kind of like the ones who think our roster is no good") said that the steelers had the worst offensive line and no team with an offensive line that bad could possibly go to the superbowl.......and in 2010 we had so many injuries and everybody said that we limped into the playoffs and most didn't pick us to beat the ravens......

 

those teams were "no good" or "too old" or "injury prone"...and now they are just called Champions(2010 team were AFC champions)

 

the steelers haven't had a losing season since a lot of you starting watching the ravens play......don't count us out because we never are

I never said that the 2008 and 2010 Steelers were great teams, but they did make it to the SB, largely due to dominant defenses. Well, the Steelers defense is no longer a dominant unit. They are old in the secondary and a few other spots and the young players (aside from Timmons) have not really perfromed well at this point.

 

I won't count the Steelers out, but I also dont see them in the same light as I once did. They just arent as good as they were a few years ago IMO.

[cwfRaven]

Lol at the last few pages...apparently the Ravens/Steelers rivalry is alive and well. ;)

[SteelersProphet]

I never said that the 2008 and 2010 Steelers were great teams, but they did make it to the SB, largely due to dominant defenses. Well, the Steelers defense is no longer a dominant unit. They are old in the secondary and a few other spots and the young players (aside from Timmons) have not really perfromed well at this point.

 

I won't count the Steelers out, but I also dont see them in the same light as I once did. They just arent as good as they were a few years ago IMO.

 

our defense was number one in the league.......so it was more dominant than any other....all our young guys minus ziggy were all backups until recently...so they didn't have the chance

 

Lol at the last few pages...apparently the Ravens/Steelers rivalry is alive and well. ;)

 

after reading that they didn't feel the rivalry like they used to I thought Id fan the flames a little lol

[flynismo]

 

 

I won't count the Steelers out, but I also dont see them in the same light as I once did. They just arent as good as they were a few years ago IMO.

I hate to say so, but I feel the exact same way. They were 8-8 last year, and unless Wheaton and Bell make big immediate impacts to help offset the holes in their D, they may very well miss the playoffs again this year.

One thing they do have going for them will be a healthy DeCastro and I think Adams will step up big time for them this season, so their OL might be brutal to face

[gabefergy]

our defense was number one in the league.......so it was more dominant than any other....all our young guys minus ziggy were all backups until recently...so they didn't have the chance

 

 

after reading that they didn't feel the rivalry like they used to I thought Id fan the flames a little lol

Ahh yes, the #1 defense argument. Is there are more meaningless statistic? The Steelers were among the league's worst at forcing Turnovers and average in applying pressure. Also not the #1 scoring defense, which is by far a more meaningful metric.