Steelers, Ravens battle for first place in North

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens have only been playing against each other since 1996, the first year the Ravens came into existence. Considering the rage that is always associated with their bi-annual meetings, though, it feels like the oldest rivalry in the NFL.

Pittsburgh and Baltimore will meet once again this Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium, with first place of the AFC North on the line. With the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns a combined 0-6 and going nowhere fast, this game could set the tone for what should be a two-team race moving forward.

Each team is looking to get back on the proverbial beam after what was an appalling Week 3. Pittsburgh went on the road and somehow lost to the Chicago Bears, falling 23-17 in overtime at Soldier Field. Not to be outdone, the Ravens flew all the way to London to be beaten 44-7 by the Jacksonville Jaguars in a game accurately reflected by the score.

So who has the advantage this week? Vegas has the Steelers laying a pair of points on the road, mostly because they have looked like the marginally better team to this juncture. It also has to be noted that Ben Roethlisberger, while inconsistent through three weeks, looks like a cross between Joe Montana and Dan Marino in comparison to Joe Flacco.

Roethlisberger ranks 12th in passing yardage with 741 to go with five touchdowns against one interception. Meanwhile, Flacco threw for 28 yards on 8-of-18 passing with a pair of interceptions against Jacksonville. You know it’s a bad day at the office when the other team scores more points than you have passing yards. For the year, Flacco is sitting on 366 yards with three scores and four picks. Yikes.

Still, it would be foolhardy to think the Ravens, and Flacco, aren’t ready to give the favored Steelers their best game. Rivalries always bring out the best in teams, and while Baltimore’s offense is poor, the defense is anything but. After being embarrassed by the Jaguars, you can bet on a tough day for Roethlisberger and Co.

But will it be enough? Pittsburgh is also coming off a rough outing and Le’Veon Bell, who held out throughout August, has yet to break out. Could this be the week that Bell finally busts out and helps the Steelers get on track for the first time this year?

Whoever wins gets a leg up at the quarter pole in the AFC North, while the loser has to get things corrected before allowing a freefall.