The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens are bitter rivals in the AFC North, setting up an epic matchup in the wild-card round on Saturday at 8 p.m.
The Steelers and Ravens have battled four times in the postseason, with Baltimore prevailing over Pittsburgh in the most recent matchup — 30-17, on the road as underdogs, behind Joe Flacco’s two touchdown passes. The Steelers own a 3-1 all-time edge in the series. Let’s take a look at the rivalry’s history.
Ravens vs. Steelers: January 4, 2015
The last time these two teams squared off in the playoffs was January 4, 2015, in a wild-card game dominated by Baltimore. Quarterback Joe Flacco went 18-of-29 and threw for 259 yards along with two touchdowns, hitting Torrey Smith for an 11-yard score in the third quarter, then slinging a 21-yard touchdown toss to Crockett Gilmore in the fourth quarter.
It marked the first time the Ravens had won a road playoff game in Pittsburgh. The loss was also the fourth-biggest win by a road team in Steelers’ postseason history. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger went 31-of-45 for 334 yards, with two interceptions and one touchdown for the Steelers in defeat.
Meanwhile, No. 6-seeded Baltimore would go on to lose to the New England Patriots, 35-31, in the divisional round. Tom Brady, in what would become a recurring theme, eventually guided the Patriots to the Super Bowl title.
Ravens vs. Steelers: January 11, 2011
This one came down to the wire as the No. 2-seeded Steelers pulled it out thanks to the fourth-quarter heroics of Ben Roethlisberger in this divisional-round game. The future Hall of Famer heaved a perfect bomb down the right sideline where Antonio Brown hauled it in for a 58-yard catch. A few plays later, Rashard Mendenhall put the Steelers up 31-24 with a two-yard scoring run. The Steelers outscored the Ravens 24-3 in the second half and walked away victorious.
Pittsburgh defeated the New York Jets 24-19 in the AFC Championship Game, then advanced to the Super Bowl only to fall in the title game. The Steelers lost to the Green Bay Packers 31-25 in a back-and-forth affair that merits consideration as one of the most entertaining Super Bowls in recent NFL history.
Ravens vs. Steelers: January 8, 2009
Another epic matchup between Joe Flacco and Ben Roethlisberger saw its share of ups and downs in the AFC Championship Game. The highlight-reel play came with 13:58 showing in the second quarter when Roethlisberger threw it off his back foot to Santonio Holmes, who ducked and weaved his way for a 65-yard touchdown.
Troy Polamalu secured a Super Bowl trip for the No. 2-seeded Steelers following an impromptu 40-yard interception return for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter. The Steelers would never trail in this one, walking away with a wild 23-14 victory and a date with destiny.
Two weeks later, Pittsburgh drew the Arizona Cardinals in the Super Bowl no one expected. The see-saw teetered for four quarters until Holmes put the Superman cape on, leaping out of the end zone and keeping both feet inbounds — the most famous toe drag in Super Bowl history — on a six-yard scoring strike that provided the final margin of victory. The Steelers won 27-23.
Ravens vs. Steelers: January 20, 2002
The No. 5-seeded Ravens entered this divisional round showdown as the defending Super Bowl champions, something the No. 1-seeded Steelers took personally and wasted no time reminding the world that they ruled the AFC. Kordell Stewart threw for 154 yards, with one touchdown and one interception, while rushing for another 30 yards. The Steelers took a 20-3 lead into the halftime locker room and never trailed. Pittsburgh beat Baltimore 27-10.
Ravens quarterback Elvis Grbac chucked three interceptions and lost his starting job in the offseason. Jamal Lewis — a third-year backup running back, with little fanfare — broke off an 88-yard punt return to provide Baltimore’s lone touchdown. Lewis would go on to become the Ravens’ all-time leading rusher with 7,801 yards.
Meanwhile, the Steelers lost to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots 24-17 in the AFC Championship Game that year. That win launched the Patriots into the Super Bowl, starting their dynasty under Bill Belichick thanks to an improbable 20-17 win over the heavily favored St. Louis Rams.