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Been waiting all week for the weekend.
Welcome back to BTSC’s Friday night open thread:
- It’s Ravens week! There’s no better rivalry in sports in my opinion. Since relocating from Cleveland and becoming the Ravens in 1996, the Steelers and Ravens have squared off 60 times, including the playoffs. The Steelers lead the series 35-25. You’ve likely heard the Steelers have gone 7-1 over the previous eight games, but zoom out a little further and the Steelers have gone 11-5 over th last 16 games in the rivalry dating back to 2016. The Steelers have been the Raven’s kryptonite in recent years.
Let’s hear your predictions for Sunday’s game! Score, statlines, moments you think will happen, hit us with whatever you got.
2. There have been 27 players who have played at least one regular season game for both the Steelers and the Ravens. How many of them can you name? I’ll share the full list in the comments later this evening.
3. There have been so many classic moments in the Steelers-Ravens rivalry. I’m going to highlight a few below, but please share your favorite rivalry memories in the comments!
The 2008 season was a magical one for Steelers fans. The Steelers would win Super Bowl XLIII and sweep the Ravens in three games that year. The Steelers won the first game in September on a field goal in overtime. The Steelers locked up the AFC North title in the December game against Baltimore thanks to a touchdown to Santonio Holmes with 43 seconds remaining and a William Gay interception in the endzone. Which leads us to the AFC Championship game:
It’s #NationalHairDay, so it’s only right we drop a Troy Polamalu highlight.
Jan. 18, 2009: The @steelers safety sealed a Super Bowl berth with a pick-six in the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship Game. @tpolamalu pic.twitter.com/UqieIVvmz4
— NFL Legacy (@NFLLegacy) October 1, 2018
Another moment in a game that wasn’t so close came the previous season. The Steelers dominated the Ravens on Monday Night Football and we had the James Harrison breakout game.
November 5, 2007 at Heinz Field. James Harrison had 10 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 6 QB hits, 3 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 INT. The most memorable moment of the game was Deebo’s tackle against Ravens safety Ed Reed. The Steelers won this game 38-7. pic.twitter.com/0Z6emjxXNR
— Billy Hartford (@CamHeywardFan) May 4, 2024
Lastly, sticking with the rule of three, I’ll go with the “Immaculate Extension.” Week 16 in 2016, this touchdown with nine seconds remaining clinched the AFC North for the Steelers and avenged a loss to the Ravens earlier in the season.
December 25, 2016: “The Immaculate Extension.” Antonio Brown (@AB84) reaches the ball over the goal line to give the Steelers a 31–27 win over the Ravens & the AFC North title. pic.twitter.com/AdzD2rLjyf
— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) December 25, 2020
4. I wanted to share this interview Russ did with ESPN’s Hannah Storm for anyone who hasn’t seen it. Gives some insight into how he ended up a Steeler and how he dealt with injury adversity to start this season, and his confidence that he could still play winning football after a tough stint in Denver.
5. Song of the Week: “Crosshairs” – DANGERDOOM (MF DOOM & Danger Mouse)
The Steelers have the Ravens and the AFC North lead in their crosshairs. Here we go Steelers, here we go!