The AFC North always produced some of the NFL’s most physical games, but no matchup may have ever been more brutal than the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens of the mid-2000s. Both teams were defined by defenses that made any quarterback quiver, with strong rushing attacks always present on offense no matter who was in the backfield. It was always fireworks, but the rivalry may have reached its peak in 2008, as both teams had serious Super Bowl aspirations. The Steelers beat the Ravens three times that year on their journey to win Super Bowl 43, and it seems that level of intensity may have led to one former All-Pro fullback retiring early.
Former All-Pro Fullback Says Physical AFC North Battles Shortened His Career: ‘Took At Least Two Years Off’
