[News] Eisenberg: Ravens-Steelers Rivalry Losing Some Steam

[BR News]

Why? Because star power has been lost, Cincinnati is in the top spot and New England makes the blood boil.

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[Drew P]

Nope. The media tried to overthrow it with the SEA-SF rivalry, it failed, SF sucks.

[n#7]

Just like life itself. Things change, people move on, new generations are born and rise to take over. Just take a gander at the Universe and one can see that there's no evidence that anything's permanent, at least as we understand it. Football is no exception.

[rmcjacket23]

No question the rivalry loses something. Rivalries are always driven by high level competition from both teams. Rivalries peak when both teams are extremely relevant and playing quality football. When one or both teams isn't, the rivalry isn't as big as it was.

 

Certainly, nobody thinks the Ravens/Steelers game is as anticipated or as big of a rivalry as last years playoff game or any of the matchups from 2008-2011, when both teams were neck and neck for the division largely every year.

 

It's still a big rivalry from a local team perspective, but what elevates a rivalry is when outsiders recognize the rivalry as something special. That's not the case this year, and its our fault its not.

[Minionhunter]

Way out of line Johnny. Joe just wants to beat the Bengals because the Ravens have been loosing to them. There is not the animosity there, maybe if they win the Superbowl, but we know that won't happen. Ravens-Steelers is still the best rivalry in football because it is real. No loss of steam.

 

Patriot cheaters are different because outside of NE, they are just recognized for what they are corner cutting cheats. Even the owner (keeping TV presidents in his box so he can control game momentum with TV timeouts [or lack thereof]) and team president (openly in the media criticizing the Ravens in direct violation of NFL rules) cheat, starts at the top. Since the NFL won't punish them because they are afraid of a congressional investigation they get away with it over and over again or else that despicable organization would be gutted top to bottom.

 

There is a difference of rivals (which can be respected) vs. detriments to the game itself (gutless cowards).

Edited December 22, 2015 by Minionhunter

[Minionhunter]

The rivalry has lost nothing, sure its a down year, but if it really was so out of gas, John would have written this article before the Vick game this year.

 

I bet this game is close where the others are not. The NFL may fix it if they want the Steelers in the playoffs, but I think this is the last winnable game the Ravens have this year, and I've thought that since the Jacksonville game.

[Minionhunter]

No question the rivalry loses something. Rivalries are always driven by high level competition from both teams. Rivalries peak when both teams are extremely relevant and playing quality football. When one or both teams isn't, the rivalry isn't as big as it was.

 

Certainly, nobody thinks the Ravens/Steelers game is as anticipated or as big of a rivalry as last years playoff game or any of the matchups from 2008-2011, when both teams were neck and neck for the division largely every year.

 

It's still a big rivalry from a local team perspective, but what elevates a rivalry is when outsiders recognize the rivalry as something special. That's not the case this year, and its our fault its not.

Wait for the national brodcasters to say what they want for the game, I bet they say even though Ravens are down this is still the best or one of the best rivalries in the NFL during the game. If you are not watching the home anouncing crew, just listen to the national coverage. This is a highly elevated rivalry.

[Minionhunter]

Why? Because star power has been lost, Cincinnati is in the top spot and New England makes the blood boil.

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So Joe isn't a star? Suggs isn't a star? sure both are IR this year, but a down year does not take steam out of a rivalry, rebuliding does not take it out like the Steelers in the last few years. Ask Steve Smith if the steam was out of the rivalry for the first game, go ahead and ask him if you dare. Seems he felt how real it was. The coaches have to teach their new players how big a deal this game is.

 

You know what John, This article is something that should have you re-evaluated for job performance just like the coaches this year. Way beneath your usual efforts. Get with it man, or are you giving up to complacency.... At least the players are playing their hearts out even if the web propaganda crew have given up....

[ellicottraven]

Now that it's been declared so, it is no longer a rivalry game, Pittsburgh I mean. Truth is John is right. I hate NE for all his perceived reasons much more than I hate Pittsburgh. In fact I loathe NE. I dislike the Steelers vehemently and wish them zero success in anything they do, but still grudgingly respect them. As for Cincinnati they're there but really not there... so what if they are winning some regular season games recently? They're still the venerable Bungles to me!

[johnmike72]

Terrible draft picks for the past 5 yrs., and ill advised contract signings. That`s what has changed.

[The Greek]

pittsburgh and new england have had a lot of injuries this season as well yet they are in the playoffs. the problem here aside from the injuries is the coaching. pees has not inspired this defense whatsoever. they are not aggressive and scare nobody. the 2 secondary coaches have no clue in fact i believe one of them was a punter so i do not know how that lands you a secondary coaching job and the running game stunk again after kubiack left which tells me castillo is not getting it done. the running stunk the year we hired him and the year after kubiack left so the proof is in the pudding as they say. replace those 4 coaches and lets turn this around next season. and for those of you out there that say trestman does not run enough blamethe o-line coach and the fact that we played from behind pretty much every game.

[Bat-mite]

I have much more desire these days to beat Cin. and NE, but there is still something magical about beating Pitt. I think it is because there are so many Steelers fans in MD, and they are usually pretty smug. But I understand the networks not putting much stock in a Ravens/Steelers game right now. It is hard for anyone to consider a 4-10 team a "rival."

[ravensohyea]

This season can be salvaged if the Ravens keep the Steelers out of the playoffs. I could care less about the Bengals. Let them have their year.

[boconnor]

t would be sweet to ruin the Steeler's playoff chances it would make this dismal season easier to swallow by beating them twice & have braging right no matter what the final record end up becoming. The next week making Cincy play on the road would be nice but not as satisfying. My blood does boil however more than ever with the Pats after hearing them constantly blaming the Ravens for the deflate gate investigation. I've heard them gloat over our season as the fates evening things up for our "involvement".

[Rich McG]

The rivalry continues. Every once in a while one of the teams has a off year. Rebuilding year so to speak. This year it was expected to be the Stealers. Well that's not what happened. The Ravens fell on their face while the Steelers exceeded expectations. The rivalry continues as the Ravens can be Steelers spoilers. I expect a great rivalry game expecting the Ravens with a chance to upset late in the game. I'm taking the points. Go Ravens! Yep I'm betting on Harbaugh and the boys.

[mendii]

I can't help but wonder if John wrote this article with the intention of throwing some fuel on the fire for Ravens fans to be involved with this game. Ravens-Steelers is still the best rivalry in the NFL, every game we play against them has some level of importance to it. This was a playoff matchup last year, and usually a playoff spot is on the line though I will concede it might be a wild-card spot with the way Cincy has played the last few years. Even this year, our worst year in a decade, beating the Steelers gave us our first win of the season and now we have a chance to spoil their playoff bid, and I know I would love nothing more than to see that. New England makes fans of every other team's blood boil, but nothing brings more animosity up in my hear than seeing their uniforms and logo.

[The Greek]

will be close for the 1st qtr or so than the steelers will turn it on.

[OzzieBisciotti]

The 'Rivalry' is losing steam because we suck - we sucked last year, and we suck even more this year. Who wants to see a bottom dwelling team, void of stars, play a perennial playoff contender in the Squeelers? No offense...

[Crusader]

Are you kidding me? Pitts is going to love this crap kicking game. How high does that scoreboard go? Ozzie and crew should go down to the field instead of hiding in his booth and see how the Ravens fans feel surrounded at home with Steeler fans.

[Flamengo1265]

I'll be surprised if Sunday's game isn't a blowout by halftime.

[NNITRED]

Terrible draft picks for the past 5 yrs., and ill advised contract signings. That`s what has changed.

To those believe Ozzie can do no wrong and infallible your blasphemy will not go unnoticed.  

I don't see a change coming anytime soon. We will still let talent escape because we refuse to recognize market value, sit out free agencies until we are picking over marked down left overs. and negate need in the draft. t's what we've always done and it has finally caught up with us. We can't keep operating in 2009.

 

[Purple Dawg 96]

Not loosing steam they know what's up with the Ravens and know what happened the last two times we played them! They are making the best of this opportunity to make a run for a SB like the opportunity we had last season until that very very very bad pass instead of a run play SMH! Need another speedy WR like Perriman to keep up with the competition in our division because slinging the rock is getting the squeelers "W's"! MAKE THEM EARN IT! LETS GO!

[whobilly]

Hate to break the news to Harbs BUT based on all the empty seats disguised as Ravens Fans(?) this season I would guess its going feel like a Steelers home game.

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

The younger players are going to see what a true rivalry is like. It will take them back to their college days and their alma-matter playing against its nemesis. Just my honest opinion but the Raven / Steeler rivalry is the best in the NFL.

Edited December 22, 2015 by ALSKAN RAVEN FAN

[OzzieBisciotti]

To those believe Ozzie can do no wrong and infallible your blasphemy will not go unnoticed.  

I don't see a change coming anytime soon. We will still let talent escape because we refuse to recognize market value, sit out free agencies until we are picking over marked down left overs. and negate need in the draft. t's what we've always done and it has finally caught up with us. We can't keep operating in 2009.

 

Oz has handicapped this team with poor drafts- these are facts- we have no foundation- why do you think we're combing the waiver wire every week?  Just because he was good back in the day doesn't mean he should have a lifetime pass- I don't at work.  Therefore, I can't blame the coaches so much because they don't really have much to work with.  PerriElam who?

[OzzieBisciotti]

Possible rivalry headlines - It's Ben Rothlesberger and the Squeelers vs Jimmy Clausen and the Baltimore Ravens... or It's Ben Rothlesberger and the Squeelers vs Kamar Aiken and the Ravens.. it's not a rivaly this year... that's why this game we've been getting our primetime games moved around left and right- no offense, but I'll be watching the team down south of 95 this Saturday night as that game will be more exciting and actually have playoff implications- even though I'm still a Ravens fan- I probably won't watch the Squeelers game because it hurts me to watch this team and plus I don't recognize all the nobodies we have on this team (besides the kicker) due to IR and weak drafts/ free agent signings...

[Crusader]

More like Ben vs IR.

[smalljaws]

Patriots or Yankees ? It's a pick 'em. The majority of family and the wife are Steeler's fans, so one has to have some semblance of couth and civility. One thing is foe sure, a Ravens win will put a year long smirk on the face.

[rmcjacket23]

Wait for the national brodcasters to say what they want for the game, I bet they say even though Ravens are down this is still the best or one of the best rivalries in the NFL during the game. If you are not watching the home anouncing crew, just listen to the national coverage. This is a highly elevated rivalry.

Do highly elevated rivalries get flexed out of a primetime game for another completely non-rivalry game between two teams who play each other about once every three years?

 

That certainly doesn't qualify as an elevated rivalry to me. Sure, the TV announcers will pump it up, because they have to... they couldn't sell the game to people otherwise. Typically, elevated rivalries don't really need to be propped up by announcers. 

 

Or, look it at objectively... if you are a non-fan of the Ravens/Steelers, and don't play fantasy football but are a fan of football itself, name one reason to watch this game? I can't think of one. I'm not even sure I'm that thrilled to watch it, and I'm a Ravens fan AND appreciate the rivalry. The quality of football is unlikely to be very good, it could very easily be lopsided, and one team has everything to play for while another is largely playing for pride, which in this sport means very little.

 

When Seattle and SF are two great teams playing a tough, competitive game against each other for a shot at winning a division, advancing in the playoffs, etc., I'll watch, because I love football. This season... could care less to watch the two play.

 

Same thing applies to any rivalry you pick (Bears/Packers, Patriots/Jets, etc.). When both teams are quality and competitive, the rivalry elevates. There is nothing special about a rivalry game between two 4-10 teams outside of their own respective markets.

 

Haven't seen the official schedules for the entire country yet, but my guess is that Patriots/Jets is the "marquee" 1pm game for CBS, and that will be the nationally televised game. So not only did our rivalry get booted out of a primetime slot for the first time in years, we aren't even the most watched or marketable game in our own time slot on the same network.

 

If that doesn't tell you the current status of the rivalry compared to what it used to be, then I can't help you.

[Ravenshine]

I've always liked the steelers too much to hate them. Want to beat them every game we play...but as a team I like them. They are not a team to hate IMO. They play rough and ugly football like us, are not privileged child of NFL, nor are we. A win against them always feels like a good game match up. A win against some other teams feels like poetic justice.