Thoughts From Heinz Field, Section 235-236

There are many points to make about this week's Monday Night Football matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. The history is only a decade long, but the rivalry has been intense.

First, these teams are archrivals with arguably the most physical matchups between any other two teams in the entire NFL. How is this possible? Considering the Ravens haven't been around that long? Let's not forget, this team was the Cleveland Browns team the Steelers have always had a mutual hatred with. You can put a purple Jersey over a Brown uniform, that won't change the level of intensity these teams have shared for decades.

Both teams also represent the AFC North's two previous champions, with the Steelers holding 2004's title compiling a 15-1 regular season record. This, from a 6-10 team in 2003 that fell in love with a pass-oriented offense led by quarterback Tommy "Gun" Maddox's arm.

Ironically, in the second week of last season, it was the Baltimore Ravens to knock Maddox out for the season to injury in a 30-17 pounding in Baltimore.

During the same game that Maddox was injured, the Ravens lost Todd Heap for a majority of the season by a controversial cheap by Steelers linebacker Joey Porter.

Without Maddox, the Steelers offense was forced to dedicate itself to the run, and count on the instincts and poise of a 22-year-old rookie quarterback. With these ingredients mixed with the number one overall defense in the NFL, the Steelers marched to homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.

Big Ben Roethlisberger rolled to an undefeated regular season, and in his career has only lost to the back-to-back Super Bowl champion New England Patriots — compiling a 17-0 record in the process.

Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens went on to lose their last five games on the road. An optimistic Brian Billick (who has been speculated to be fighting for his own job) points to how difficult of a stretch with a real reason to see a light. "They were against the four divisional round AFC teams and the NFC Super Bowl representative. I don't know that anybody has had to do that before," said Billick.

Well, with offseason additions to beef up the consistently below-average receiving corps, the Ravens went out and picked up a veteran Pro Bowl receiver in Derrick Mason and used their number one draft pick on Mark Clayton, a WR from Oklahoma.

Injuries, a team that doesn't appear to support the coach any longer, and contract issues for several key Ravens players have caused an unexpected 2-4 record for a team that at season's start, was predicted by some to win the AFC North, and even the Super Bowl.

That hasn't panned out, Boller was hurt in a third quarter injury during a Week 1 loss to the Colts, and the Ravens are suffering. The offense is dead last in the NFL in points per game with 11.5. Jamal Lewis appears to be protecting himself to prevent injury in a contract year, the offensive line is a mess, and the quarterback was inconsistent even with Boller.

Anthony Wright, former Steelers third string quarterback, and Kordell Stewart return to a city in which the latter lead two teams to home AFC championship game losses. Wright will get the start, a chance for a little payback for the team that gave him his NFL opportunity.

Regardless of record, a Ravens vs. Steelers game is worth the price of your ticket considering how competitive these teams are against each other. There is a mutual respect and hatred.

The 2003 season finale, which if one game establishes the intensity of this rivalry, this is it. The teams fought a physical fight in the final game that meant nothing for Baltimore (they had already made the playoffs) and nothing for the Steelers (couldn't have made the playoffs even with a victory). But this game meant everything to the players.

Traditionally, starters will be rested in such a meaningless game to keep the starters healthy for the playoffs, but the Ravens played their starters deep into the game and used them to aide in a 13-10 overtime win. Later, Billick mentioned the importance of going into the playoffs on a winning note.

A Monday Night Football game in the Steel City against the archrival Ravens.

Celebrating Myron Cope's career as the Steelers' radio broadcaster for 35 years and inventor of the "terrible towel."

On Halloween.

Priceless, or as Cope would say, "double yoi!"

Comments and Conversation

October 29, 2005

frank:

GO STEELERS !!!!!!

October 29, 2005

Mark Pruitt:

Kevin, Todd Heap was hurt before Joey Porter hit him. He limped up to the line, and Joey knocked him off of his feet on the snap.

The Ravens thought it was a cheap shot because Todd was obviously hurt, and just trying to line up to get the play off on time. Joey said Todd could have been faking, so he played the down like he was 100% healthy.

October 30, 2005

Kevin Ferra:

Mark,

After re-reading what I wrote, I appreciate tha clarification because I was not trying to imply Porter caused the injury.

Thanks for reading. Check out the Skiny on Sports to hear about “The Kurse of Kordell” a Halloween Special getting ready for the Steelers vs Ravens Monday night game!

http://skinnyonsports.podshow.com

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