Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers: Two teams, but similar mindsets

The Baltimore Ravens season has been a disappointment to everyone. Back in training camp, there was talk about this team being a Super Bowl contender if they could stay healthy. As if the Football Gods could hear that, it rained injuries upon this team like none other. Looking back though, one of the shining moments of the year was beating an also injured Pittsburgh Steelers team with Michael Vick starting at quarterback.

The Ravens and Steelers rivalry is one where both sets of fans love to hate each other, despite the team identities being nearly identical for both cities. Both teams are the epitome of AFC North football. They will beat you up with the run game and go deep with the passing attack. Both teams have even faltered in recent years with regards to the defense, yet both have key players that they will build around to be dominant in no time. It's arguably some of the best football played in each season.

Even though the season hasn't gone as expected, fans can take joy in seeing another true football game and possibly even messing with the Steelers playoff hopes. If the Ravens were to win on Sunday, it would be a sweep of the Steelers as well as give teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals an opportunity to push Pittsburgh out of the playoffs completely.

If there is anything that either set of fans love, it's pointing out how bad the other team is. For the Ravens this season, the best they can hope for is that they can say "you didn't make it into the playoffs either," with a smug determination. If anything can make this terrible season better for most fans, it would be exactly that.