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Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers is the best rivalry in the NFL. It might be the best rivalry in all of professional sports. Even though the Ravens haven't started the season out the way they have wanted and the Steelers are dealing with a significant injury with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, those two situations can't change the fact that when these two teams collide, two mammoth tanks collide and only one will stand.
Since 2000, the Ravens and the Steelers have played 30 times with each having 15 wins. The AFC North division is the only division in the NFL since the 1994 season to have two teams (Ravens and Steelers) with two Super Bowl trophies.
History shows @Ravens & @steelers are darn near identical in so many ways. pic.twitter.com/Qr8181Pgs1
— Patrick Gleason (@PMGleason) September 30, 2015
The Ravens and the Steelers are also the only division rivals in the NFL since 1996 that have at least 14 playoff wins each. Everything about the two teams are so even. They are almost a carbon copy of each other. So it's no surprise that the Ravens and the Steelers have been among the NFL's elite teams.
Most wins in #NFL since 2000 (including playoffs) Patriots 199 wins Colts 173 wins Steelers 168 wins Packers 163 wins Ravens 159 wins
— Wola (@WolaWriteMore) September 30, 2015
Both teams currently have Super Bowl winning quarterbacks. Both teams in the last 15 years have won a Super Bowl with two different head coaches.
Both teams have had at least two players win defensive player of the year award since 2000. To take it a step further, the Ravens and the Steelers are the only teams in NFL history to have three players win defensive player of the year while playing on the same roster.
Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Terrell Suggs all have won defensive player of the year awards while playing together for the Ravens.
Joe Greene, Mel Blount and Jack Lambert all have won defensive player of the year awards while playing together for the Steelers.
Both teams also currently run a 3-4 defense.
From the fans standpoint, Ravens fans used to chant fan favorite former tight end Todd Heap's name every time he made a catch, " HEEEAAAPPP."
Steelers fans currently use a similar chant after their tight end Heath Miller makes a catch, "HEEEAAATTTHHH."
The Ravens and the Steelers do not like each other. At least one fight will break out during the game when these two teams collide in week 4. But they do respect each other as is clear when looking at the similarities.