Steelers Players Say Ravens Are Bigger Rivals Than Bengals

Last season's AFC Wild Card Game would lead some to believe the Cincinnati Bengals are the Pittsburgh Steelers' biggest rivals in the AFC North.  

That's not the case, according to two Steelers players. That distinction goes to the Baltimore Ravens.

"I can't call it," said Steelers wide receiver Markus Wheaton, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. "If I had to pick, Ravens. They got us last year. You want to get the win. That's more important [than the theatrics]."

The theatrics Wheaton referred to are the closing moments in last year's Jan. 9 playoff game in Cincinnati, which the Steelers won 18-16. The Bengals were moments away from winning their first playoff game in 25 years, but head-scratching penalties by defensive back Adam Jones and linebacker Vontaze Burfict put the Steelers in position for a game-winning field goal.

While the Bengals and Steelers have playoff history, Pittsburgh defensive tackle Stephon Tuitt feels the history between the two championship-winning teams in Baltimore and Pittsburgh takes precedence.

"I'd still say the Ravens," Tuitt said, per Fowler. "We've got to beat them. We beat Cincinnati. We have to beat the Ravens. It's been like that every time [with them]. That's not going to be a focal point—we're taking one game at a time, but especially with those two teams we have to beat them in the division."

The Ravens went 5-11 last year, their worst record since 2007, but two of those wins came against the Steelers. Pittsburgh got the last laugh, however, making it to the divisional round.

Those losses to Baltimore clearly sting. The Steelers and Ravens have won championships this century, so it makes sense why some Pittsburgh players would feel this way. The Bengals still need to prove they can win a playoff game before Pittsburgh puts them in the same class as the Ravens.