When the NFL Calendar comes out each year, the first thing most Ravens fans check is the dates of the two games against Pittsburgh. Every game in a 16 game NFL season is vitally important, but that divisional rivalry stands above. The fact that both teams are currently annual playoff contenders, only adds to stoke the fires hotter.
I don’t think there is much sense in down playing how important the Week 1 September 11th Opener against the Steelers is for Baltimore. If the Ravens were facing anyone else, what you would logically say is that the outcome of that game only means so much when you have 15 additional regular season games to go. Win or lose the Opener, that point of view will remain accurate. However, it would be a mistake to dismiss the 11th as just another game.
The Ravens have been to the Playoffs in three consecutive seasons, and have won four Playoff games, with each of them coming on the road. If the Ravens did not lose that December game at-home to the Steelers, the rubber match in the Playoffs could have been at M&T Bank Stadium. Instead, as we know, the Ravens had to travel back to Pittsburgh, and for the second time in three years had their season end at Heinz Field.
I understand by my own example above, Pittsburgh showed just last year that one of these teams could overcome an early loss on their own field to the other. If Baltimore loses the Opener, I won’t launch into hyperbole mode and announce the season as over. I will state the obvious truth. You will be a game behind in the division, and have put yourself into a position where winning in Pittsburgh November 6th becomes a requirement. You don’t want to be in that position. After being called the ‘Steelers little Brother’ by more than one NFL Analyst this off-season, you also don’t want to be in position of having lost three consecutive games against your Rival.
The Ravens are always a confident bunch. Clearly their confidence will be higher if they feel like the ‘King of the Hill.’ For that to happen, Baltimore needs to punch their bully in the mouth and defend their home field. A lot of people are going to point the finger at Joe Flacco and say he needs to match Roethlisberger play for play in the 4th Quarter. I won’t disagree with that analysis, but I will say it is also important that Coach Harbaugh and his Coordinators are not out-coached by Coach Tomlin, and the Steelers’ staff.
The other thing to watch is all of the new players in prominent roles for Baltimore. There is roster turnover every season, but there will be large number of players than usual experiencing this rivalry first hand for the first time. You often hear NFL Rookies talk about how the speed of the game is different between College and the Pros. You often hear NFL Veterans talk about the difference in hitting between the Regular Season and the Playoffs. Similarly, you also hear many players playing in the Baltimore / Pittsburgh game for the first time – speak of how different the intensity is on the field between these teams. Watching how the new blood reacts, will be interesting. My hope is that the improved athleticism of the Baltimore roster makes a noticeable difference on the field.
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.