Pittsburgh Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens
Steelers vs Ravens: A divisional playoff clash in 2024.
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens have a divisional rivalry in the AFC North. In the 2024 season, the Steelers faced the Ravens in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, losing 28–14.
- division
- AFC Central (renamed AFC North in 2002)
- start_year
- 1996
Lore & Background
The Steelers' 2024 season was their 92nd in the NFL, their third under general manager Omar Khan and their 18th under head coach Mike Tomlin. After a 10–3 start, they lost their final four regular-season games, matching their 10–7 record from the previous year. Their late-season collapse continued into the playoffs, where they were eliminated by the Ravens in the Wild Card round.
In Their Own Story
The air inside Acrisure Stadium was thick with humidity and tension as the fourth quarter ticked down. The scoreboard read a tie, and the Steelers' defense, led by their veteran linebackers, stood ready to repel one last Ravens drive. Ray Lewis, eyes blazing, signaled his unit to tighten up the gap. As the Ravens quarterback dropped back, the pocket collapsed instantly under the pressure of Pittsburgh's pass rush. A fumble! The ball skittered across the turf in a blur of black and gold, sparking a frenzy as players from both teams converged on the loose leather, embodying the raw, unfiltered chaos that defines this historic feud.
Reader's Guide
The Steelers did not face any divisional rivals until Week 11 of the 2024 season. After Week 11, their only non-divisional opponents were the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, who later met in Super Bowl LIX.
Did You Know?
- The Steelers clinched their 21st consecutive non-losing season in 2024, tying the official NFL record set by the Dallas Cowboys from 1965–85.
- The Steelers started 3–0 for the first time since 2020, holding each of their first three opponents to 10 points or fewer for the first time since 1973.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Pittsburgh Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens rivalry begin?
The competition officially started in 1996 when the Ravens joined the league and were placed in the same division as Pittsburgh. This immediate alignment created a long-standing regional feud that continues to this day.
Why is this matchup considered one of the most intense in the NFL?
The close geographic proximity between Pennsylvania and Maryland fuels deep-seated animosity among the fanbases. Additionally, frequent division title races and playoff implications have heightened the stakes over decades.
Which head coaches are most associated with this rivalry?
Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh represent the longest-tenured coaching pairing in NFL history during their time leading these teams. Their strategic battles have defined the modern era of competition within the AFC North.
What stadiums host games between these two teams?
Home contests are played at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh and M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, both known for intense atmospheres. These venues serve as the battlegrounds for some of the league's most physical weekly clashes.
Who are some legendary players from this rivalry history?
Icons like Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, and Ben Roethlisberger became famous through their direct competition against one another. Their aggressive playstyles set a high standard for future generations of athletes in the matchup.
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