It may not be the national ratings bonanza that a Cowboys-Giants NFC Championship game would be, but for Steelers and Ravens fans, there can be no bigger game than the one that will starts at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.This is a game that Steelers fans (and I assume Ravens fans even if I can't comprehend what it would be like to be one) can't wait for. It will be everything that both team's fans love -- lots of defense, players limping off the field and a Heinz Field stadium that may shake itself to rubble under the feet the loudest Steelers crowd in years.
The Steelers-Ravens rivalry is what the Steelers-Browns rivalry used to be, which makes sense since Baltimore stole Cleveland's team. There's an anger and a respect that comes from beating each other bloody twice a year, every year.
The two teams have battled for AFC North supremacy ever since the AFC North was invented in 2001. The Steelers have clearly been the class of the division (six five division titles in eight years), but their only consistent challenger has been the Ravens, who have won the other two AFC North crowns.
But as great as the rivalry has been, it's never been this big. The Steelers and Ravens have only played once in the playoffs -- a 2001 second-round game that ended the Ravens' reign as the division's bully and also prematurely ended Elvis Grbac's career.
Even if you go back and look at the Browns-Steelers rivalry from before the move, the two teams have never played in a conference championship game. In fact the "old" Browns and the Steelers only met once in the playoffs -- a 1994 division game.
So Sunday's game will be the biggest rivalry game in Steelers (and Ravens) history, rivaled only by the Steelers-Oilers' 1978 and 1979 AFC Championship games and the Steelers-Raiders' steel cage death matches of the 1970s.
And if you're a fan of the Steelers or Ravens, there's no game you'd rather see.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
1-12-2009 @ 9:23AM
Jay said...
Your comments regarding the game are accurate. However, your snide remark regarding Baltimore "stealing" a team shows a lack of understanding of history. Arizona is never referred to as "stealing" a team from St. Louis. St. Louis is never referred to as "stealing" a team from Los Angeles. Indianapolis is never referred to as "stealing" a team from Baltimore. There are not enough adjectives to explain Al Davis' behavior.
Art Modell did Cleveland a great favor. His move got Cleveland a new stadium. He left them their colors and team name. He left Cleveland with their history. Yet, Modell, one of the transforming figures of the NFL, is not even nominated to be in the Hall of Fame, based on the narrow mindedness of folks like you.
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1-12-2009 @ 11:14AM
TG said...
100% in agreement. When INDY STOLL the colts, and defied the rules of the NFL, every owner including Modell turned their back on the peoplke of Baltimore and they voted to let Irsay stay in Indy. They allowed the name to go with them, the trophies to go with them and then when we were in the running to try to get a team the commish told Baltimore that our money would be better spent on a museum. So much for having respect for the other teams and the NFL big wigs. BY the way - we put 70,000 people in our museum every game.
1-13-2009 @ 12:18PM
Bobolinski said...
Baltimore stole their team and that's that. There was no lead up, no debate, no warning. One day Cleveland has a team, the next they don't. The Browns fans were robbed of their storied franchise and Pittsburgh was robbed of their storied rivalry. I don't know the details regarding the colts but I do know that two wrongs don't make a right.
It went from a love-hate rivalry with the Browns, to an instantly just plain hate rivalry with the Ravens. I may have gained a grudging respect for the Ravens over the years but that's where the positive ends.
Go Steelers!
1-12-2009 @ 9:56AM
Luz said...
Just want to point out that the Bungles actually won the division in 2005 and that the Steelers and the New Browns played a playoff game in 2003.
I've got a feeling...
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1-12-2009 @ 9:58AM
JJ said...
Thanks Luz, it's been fixed.
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1-12-2009 @ 10:44AM
IronCity4ever said...
This will no doubt, be a blood bath of a game. The hatred from either team can't be denied and it will show on the field. Baltimore has one hell of a team and to say as a lifelong Steeler fan, I'm concerned. However! home field advantage is huge this time of year Pittsburgh is clearly healthy at every position and Joe Flacco, as good as he's been, has never plaid in a game this big. Steeler defense will outshine the Raven offense once again in a final 17-10ish win to proceed to our sixth ring! NEVER MORE-NEVER MORE!!!! The bastard step children of Cleveland will fall.
Go Pittsburgh, I'll be there and the 12th man will make his presence known!
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1-12-2009 @ 1:38PM
marc said...
in my opinion, this is the super bowl. these are the two best teams remaining.
i believe the steelers need to come out throwing. parker did very well against the chargers, but he was rarely hit at the line of scrimmage. our o-line did a good job of holding blocks which was letting parker get 3-4 yards into the defense before a defender made contact with him. don't expect that same luxury from the ravens. and, we all know parker is not one to break tackles on a regular basis.
coming out with the pass and hitting the TE's will help keep the ravens off balance and force the linebackers to stay back an extra second. i'm not saying the whole game, just come out throwing and then settle into the offense.
praise the o-line! they blocked well and our offense looked good once we started looking downfield a little bit. however, one reason ben had so much time in the pocket is because the charges did not blitz very much. but, our RB's picked up the blitzers very well and the o-line did a great job on the stunts.
could limas sweed look any worse? this might be the worst rookie season we've seen in quite a while. hopefully, our player development can bring him along for next year. but, so far he is a total bust.
finally, the chargers did some things very well against our defense. they took advantage of our quickness, let us overpursue, and found receivers wide open. expect the ravens to incorporate similar plays next week.
also, on third and long they spread out the formation which left the middle of the field wide open. then gates was one-on-one with woodley over the middle. that was easy for them. i was surprised though, that woodley was covering gates with timmons in the game. wouldn't you expect timmons to draw that coverage assignment?
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1-12-2009 @ 1:00PM
Buckwheat19 said...
I am a diehard Steelers fan and very happy to see them reach the AFC title game again, but I also have a lot of respect for the Ravens and they scare me in this game.
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1-12-2009 @ 2:22PM
antave said...
STEELER FANS take NOTE ! :( n Rock n Roll lovers too )
As the 2nd half K/O was about to get underway Sunday aganst the Chargers ... the kick ars Smashing Pumpkins song "DOOMSDAY CLOCK " could be heard blarin' over Heinz fields' loud speakers and you could sense it pumpin' up the whole team as the Steelers went on to Rock n Roll all over their opponent ...
Viva la Pittsburg and long live their Pumkins connection !
KEEP PLAYING DOOMSDAY CLOCK !
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1-12-2009 @ 9:35PM
cncrndctzns said...
Steelers and Ravens - it doesn't get any better than that!!! This is the REAL SUPER BOWL GAME. No matteer their travel records both these teams always bring their "A" games when they play each other. I am a Steeler fan for life but I have a healthy respect for the Ravens and notwithstanding the bitter rivalry, theses teams have a lot of respect for each other. May the hardest-hitting, best muggers win.
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1-12-2009 @ 10:11PM
starchy said...
J.J. Cooper you are a real a hole. there's no need for your snide comments about baltimore and their fans. show some class! baltimore stole the browns the same way the Indianapolis stole the colts. get over it! we have! you just need to face facts that the Ravens are for real you jerk!
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1-12-2009 @ 10:17PM
Paul said...
I don't have a problem with the Steelers , just their fans . They are fair weather fans. When the team is winning , they love their team, but when they are losing , it's like someone farted in the elevator. They run for the exits. They are an embarassment to their team. Yeah they are loud and obnoxious , and they stink up stadiums whereever they go . Just watch late in the game with the clock winding down and the Ravens on top and you'll see what I mean. The best part pf the show will watching them cry in their Iron City beer. Boo hoo hoo We are not only going to beat you, we are going to beat you up on national television . Funny part is, you know it's going to happen and you will keep on running your mouths. Lots of luck in the game, I hope no one gets hurt too seriously. Only you feelings. Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha........
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1-14-2009 @ 9:49PM
Mitch said...
Paul....You're crazy. You wanna see lame fans? Come to St. Louis. I live here now and got to see Pittsburgh come through last year and the stadium was packed with 20,000 plus Steeler fans while the Ram fans sat on thier hands for 4 quarters. It was sad. Go Steelers!!!!!
1-12-2009 @ 10:38PM
Garry said...
Paul rather interesting in saying that Steeler fans are "fair weather fans" Hmmmm Let me say this to stir the pot a little. Just a short time ago in Ravens Stadium/M&T stadium when the Steelers beating the Ravens, I saw a lot repeat a lot of Raven fans leaving the stadium. I have been to Raven stadium many times and yes your fans leave early too!! Steelers 21 Ravens 17. As always GO STEELERS!!!!
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1-13-2009 @ 6:00PM
Paul said...
Ravens fans left in protest of the touchdown that didn't break the plane. Replay clearly showed that. But in all honesty, I believe the Squeelers would have scored on the next play, but then again maybe not . It was a hell of a way to lose and have to listen to someone bragg about. The Ravens held the lead for the majority of both games this year . Squeelers beat the Cowboys the same way, on a lucky pic with three minutes left to play . You gotta be the luckiest team in football . In reality, however , I really like the Steelers and have respect for them. They are just not as good as their record may show, just lucky that's all. Heinz Ward, Polamalu, Santonio Holmes and Big Ben, all fun to watch . It'll be a great game , one we are looking forward to . And by the way, we are going win .
1-12-2009 @ 11:32PM
steve downing said...
Hey JJ Cooper- you stupid ass. Can't imagine what it's like to be a Ravens Fan-huh? The Ravens' stole' the Browns-huh? Man your life must really suck! Maybe you should get a real job- you part-time blog loser. Got a problem with any of this and you can e-mail me. I'll meet you somewhere in Baltimore- to discuss!
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1-12-2009 @ 11:46PM
whaz said...
You must be a Squeeler fan by the way you disrespect the Ravens and their fans with your remarks. But you know what its all good. We never got respect when the colts were stolen.
We never got respect when we got hosed on 2 calls this year that cost us the division against Shittsburgh. but what better revenge then to knock you out of the superbowl on national TV in your own house.We'll put that in the museum also..Whats Our Name? Yea you'll respect us soon..Go Ravens
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1-13-2009 @ 12:00AM
dave said...
Why is everyine getting so personal? Owners are businessmen-they take the best deal, and when the combo of fans and city fail to provide support like that found around the league, they move the team. Indy did not steal a team-the owners found better fans/local support compared to what they had in Baltimore.. Same when the Cleveland lost their team, and so it goes in all sports. Seattle lost their BBall team just this year as a result of lack of support. Don't blame the owners-blame the local politicians and weak fans.
Can't think of a single situation where an owner moved a major team despite having good local support.
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1-13-2009 @ 12:06AM
whaz said...
Guess you never heard of al davis and the oakland raiders last i heard they still pack the black hole even after he came back
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1-13-2009 @ 12:37AM
Danny said...
What the hell are these comments? Bashing a guy for having an opinion? You People make me sick. Stupid Ravens fans. JJ is a good writer. I view his articles on here all the time. I dont see why you have to complain about one little opinion. This is why we have a rivalry. Ravens and Steelers hate eachother whether its players or fans. Us Steeler fans get mad when the Steelers lose because we are so used to winning we expect to win every season. Live with it. You crappy Ravens fans have nothing on us. Last I checked you have 1 super bowl title. Last I checked Steelers have 5 hopefully soon to be 6. Stop your whining just because your team is historically not that good.
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