Best Rivalry in Football: Pittsburgh Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens

Whodini sang about it "Freaks Come Out at Night," and the Steelers Nations brought it to life as I made my way to Heinz Field. Each block brought a different conglomerate of Steelers jersey filled with different sounds as chants of the “Ravens Suck” filled the crisp but inviting night air. The pulse of the city was alive, as it should be for arguably the best rivalry on the National Football League between two of the top teams in the league.

Bo Marchionte is a Contributor for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained first-hand.

Ray Rice Celebrates His Third Quarter Touchdown

It might sound strange; in truth, it seems even more bizarre to type to say the rivalry between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers is a case of stolen identity.

It was Art Modell who moved the original Cleveland Browns to Baltimore after the conclusion of the 1995 season. The Cleveland-Pittsburgh rivalry changed locations, but remains what Ravens running back Ray Rice calls, “The best rivalry in football.”

Maybe Steelers fans should call the duo of teams the "Browvans." It seems like either team would incite Steelers Nation into a chant of either Cleveland or Baltimore followed by "sucks."

The script was set for the Pittsburgh Steelers to walk away victorious and evening up the series at one game a piece after losing in Week 1 35-7 to the Ravens. From the early going, the game mirrored that of the "Game of the Century" between LSU and Alabama, with field goals galore, leaving those defensively challenged to crave the return of the NBA.

In the third quarter, that would change, bringing on big plays both offensive and defensively. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger would be intercepted by Terrell Suggs, leading to the Ravens' first touchdown of the game. Ironic that the second touchdown would come off a Joe Flacco fumble forced by Steelers James Harrison, leading the Steelers' first and only touchdown of the game. 

Harrison returned from missing four games, sacking Joe Flacco three times.

“That’s the type of effort we expect from James, because he consistently delivers it. He’s a special player” said head coach Mike Tomlin.

On Harrison’s third and final sack, he would force Flacco into fumbling away the ball, with the Steelers recovering on their own 42-yard line.

“He’s a playmaker and a difference maker on their defense,” said Joe Flacco.

On the ensuing drive of 58 yards, Ben Roethlisberger would connect with receiver Mike Wallace for 25, putting Pittsburgh ahead 20-16 with 5:08 left in the final quarter. The catch would ignite Heinz Field to the point that the press box got the jitters from the stomping feet of 64,851 on hand. The Steelers where five minutes away from taking soul possession of first place in the AFC North, so it seemed.

Mike Tomlin Debated on Kicking Field Goal in Fourth Quarter

The clock management of head coach Mike Tomlin would come into play on the next series for the Steelers.

“I accept responsibility for that,” said Tomlin. Hesitation on deciding to kick a 47-yard field goal resulted in a delay-of-game penalty, forcing Tomlin to then punt, pushing the attempt to 52 yards.

“I was concerned about the distance. We had some changes in personnel with a new holder. Under the circumstances, I didn’t want to give them the ball on that short of a field.”

With 2:24 left in the game, the Steelers were finally poised to put this game away, pinning the Ravens on their own 8-yard line. Thirteen times, Flacco would line up in the shotgun and connect on eight of 13 passes for 92 yards and finding rookie Torrey Smith for 26 yards, giving his Ravens the lead with 14 seconds left in the game. The crowd that was once making the press box move was silent to the point of hearing a pin drop. 

Flacco commented on the final drive,  saying, “There were lots of things that stood out, but we kept out heads up and made the plays when they counted,” like converting on 4th-and-1 with 1:06 left in regulation. 

“We pride ourselves on defense, and to let them do that is tough to swallow," said Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Brett Keisel.

This is why the fans show up, this is why the press box was shaking from the excitement after the Steelers' first touchdown. If Flacco wasn't making these plays, then the rivalry wouldn't carry any luster. It does take two to tangle. 

Ozzie Newsome, who played for Cleveland and now serves as the GM for Baltimore, said, “I don’t know what it is between Pittsburgh and Cleveland right now because I’m not there.”

However, the Hall of Fame tight end also said, “I do know, because of the way we both run the football and play good defense…that makes for a good rivalry.”

"Yeah, I think in a lot of ways you could say that. It’s a pretty intense rivalry, no question about it,” said Steelers President Art Rooney II, adding, “It’s different, no question about it,” in regards to Cleveland not being the team referred to when the word rivalry comes up.

“We still have our moments against the Browns, but because the teams have been so competitive over the last decade, this rivalry has gotten pretty intense.”

In two straight years at Heinz Field, Flacco has make last minute heroics against the Steelers defense.

"We are 6-2, we beat Pittsburgh two times and we put ourselves in a good position to win the division,” said Flacco of the victory.

The Ravens are now tied in the AFC North with the Cincinnati Bengals, who are also 6-2 overall. With the 23-20 victory the Ravens have positioned themselves as a serious threat to hold home field advantage come playoff time. 

The Steelers (6-3) travel to Cincinnati in Week 10 to take on those up start Bengals and the young rookie tandem of quarterback Andy Dalton and receiver A.J. Green.

“Cincinnati is balling,” said defensive back Ike Taylor, adding “We're on the outside looking in, it’s that plain and simple.” 

So the best rivalry in football continues between the Baltimore Ravens, descendants of the Cleveland Browns.