The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals had a really contentious rivalry in the mid-2010s before the latter pretty much tanked right off a cliff to the point where they were in the position to draft Joe Burrow this year.
Headed by Vontaze Burfict, that was a rivalry that you don’t want—one that lacks respect. It also lacked competitiveness, since the Steelers always won. That is what has always been different about the much more long-standing rivalry Pittsburgh has shared with the Baltimore Ravens.
As they find themselves on the eve of a pivotal game that would see the winner told hold of the lead in the AFC North, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh offered some reflections on his years of battles with the Steelers and head coach Mike Tomlin.