The Steelers head into divisional play this week when they host the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday.
It will be the first AFC North game for the 7-2 Steelers, and a battle to stay on top of the division against the 7-3 Ravens.
These two teams are no strangers to each other, and Raven's Coach John Harbaugh knows what to expect.
"If you want to win the division, you have to win division games, so that's the deal," said Harbaugh, whose team is 2-1 in division play this year. "They have had a great season. They've done a great job against the people they've played against, and they've found ways to win [in] different kinds of ways."
The Ravens have weighed in on this week's game, including talking about the strong defense, Russell Wilson and connecting with old friends.
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Head Coach Jim Harbaugh on quarterback Lamar Jackson's passer rating being lower vs. the Steelers than any other team;
"They have played well against us, and we haven't played well against them, in that sense, as far as moving the ball and scoring points and all that. This is a new game. We don't live in the past. We're moving forward. We don't live in the past game. We don't live in the past record. None of that matters.
"It's the next game. No matter what happens, you get ready for the next football game in the National Football League.
"But we'll look at it scientifically. You go back and watch all the games and try to make sure that we are doing the things that we need to do to win this particular game."
Receiver Rashod Bateman on facing the Steelers:
"It's just another game. We know the task at hand. We know what's at stake. We just have to go play football."
Tight end Mark Andrews on what stands out about the Ravens and Steelers when they face each other:
"It's a game of a lot of tradition – a lot of great games, a lot of close games and two teams that fight against each other. It's an exciting one. It's one of the best rivalries around."
Quarterback Lamar Jackson on Mike Tomlin calling him 'Mr. Jackson' and if he appreciates that respect:
"I appreciate that, coming from a coach (with) all the success he's had. But when we're on that field, it's a different ballgame. That's with any opponent, though, not just the Steelers. My mindset is totally different when I'm out there, regardless; I'm trying to win. But I appreciate it, though. I appreciate it."
Harbaugh on the Steelers and Ravens separating themselves from the rest of the division and if Sunday's game could determine the division winner:
"If you want to win the division, you have to win division games, so that's the deal. They have had a great season. They've done a great job against the people they've played against, and they've found ways to win [in] different kinds of ways.
"Defense has been very consistent. Obviously, it starts with the pass rush for them and the run defense. That's where they start, and then you have to deal with that. Then, obviously, I think their safeties and their corners do a great job of triggering versus the run and getting up there and making tackles, and then, they're very aggressive in coverage.
"And you know what? Every year for the last 17 years, that's what you could say about Pittsburgh's defense. They take on that personality, and it goes all the way back. Mike (Tomlin) has done a great job with that. He's a defensive coach, and all respect for that. Then, you go back to Coach (Bill) Cowher, and you go back to Coach (Chuck) Noll. It's all in the same vein – the consistency with that.
"Offensively, they've done a great job with the two different quarterbacks. Now, they have Russell (Wilson) back. I have a lot of respect for Russ and what he does well. I think they're leaning into his skillset, and they have some receivers that match that up a little bit. Offensive line continues to grow, and they have two really good backs. That's who they are right now."
Receiver Diontae Johnson on if it's weird to be on the other side of the Steelers-Ravens rivalry:
"Yes, it is. Just being back in that stadium, where it all started, it's going to be different. I actually have never been in the away locker room, so that's going to be different for me, but I'm ready to get back there, just to see the good people that I made relationships with, but other than that, it's a big moment for me."
Bateman on what makes games against the Steelers so tough:
"I just know that it means a lot to the organization, to the division, to the conference. We also know that it's a rivalry. It means something to the fans. So, there's a lot to play for, whether it's the division, whether it's for the fans or our community. So, there's definitely a lot to play for."
Jackson on the Steelers defense:
"Those guys are flying around. They're getting after it, creating turnovers, explosive plays for the defense. Their front seven is amazing. Just an all-around great defense, from what I see on film."
Running back Derrick Henry on if he's heard 'You're not a Raven until you beat the Steelers' in the locker room:
"Yes, I've heard it. It's something that they've had going here for a while, and I guess I'm not going to be a Raven until we get the W."
Harbaugh on if he changes his speech this week to the players with it being a big AFC North game:
"It doesn't change in this sense, as I tell them that every week. Every game is a big game, and that's the thing in this league I think is really important to understand. The more games you win, the better your position is. It's not like basketball or baseball, where you play all those games, or hockey. You only play 17 regular season games – soon to be 18 – but that's not that many. In terms of what they mean, every game is really, super important.
"And then when you play in your division, they kind of become twice as important, because you give your division rival a loss, so it separates you, really, in one-and-a-half games, at least. So, that's just something that we really just have to understand, but we always do. That's why we say division games are so important.
"Pittsburgh is 7-2, so that becomes part of the equation, for sure. But in the end, that's not what matters. What matters is how we play. We go in there and execute, we go in there and play the brand of football that we're used to playing, that we know that we're going to play, and then we let the chips fly."
Cornerback Tre-Davious White on what he sees from Russell Wilson leading the Steelers offense:
"I haven't gotten to watch the Steelers too much when they were with Justin Fields, so I don't know what the difference between he and Russell Wilson is in the offense, but what I do know is the Steelers are a hard-nosed group that's always been historic. I had an opportunity to play them a couple times when I was with Buffalo, so I already know what the Steelers are about. They're about playing tough defense, running the ball and then making big plays on the outside. So, with any team, on defense, if you limit big-time plays and limit explosives, you'll have a chance."
Johnson on if he still talks to his Steelers teammates:
"All the time. All the time. I talk to George (Pickens), Calvin (Austin III), pretty much the offensive guys or defensive guys that I was close with that I keep in touch with here and there.
"I talk to T.J. Watt a little bit, Cam Heyward, George Pickens, Calvin Austin, Najee (Harris) a little bit, Cam Sutton – pretty much the guys that I was there with. We kind of have a good relationship, so I kind of keep in touch with everybody."
Andrews on former Ravens Patrick Queen and DeShon Elliott being on the other sideline:
"Two guys that I have nothing but great things to say about. Were incredible teammates, guys that you can go to. They're both playing really good ball, and it will be a fun matchup against both those guys."
Bateman on the challenges the Steelers will throw at him:
"I would just say everywhere. Respect to them. They're good in all areas. In the backend, linebackers and up front. But like we always say week in and week out, we just have to come out and do our job and see what happens."
Jackson on going against linebacker Patrick Queen:
"It will be different. It's not practice anymore, with 'PQ.'. But it will be different. It will be different, because it's game action, not just practice, now, so it will be different."
Harbaugh on how he has seen Wilson elevate the Steelers offense:
"He's making plays in the passing game for them. He's done a good job in the boots, the play action, drop-back passes. He's using the full depth of the field. He's always been known for throwing the 'Russell Wilson deep ball,' so he does that. He gets out and runs around, scrambles around, makes some throws, makes a couple runs here and there, so he's kind of doing what he's always done, and that's always impressive."
Johnson on his favorite moment in the Steelers-Ravens rivalry:
"I remember one game when the Ravens came to [the Steelers] in 2021. I had a good game that game. I had two touchdowns. That's what I remember."
Bateman on what he thinks of the Steelers-Ravens rivalry:
"The last one we had, and we didn't win, so we just need to go win this one."
Andrews on the challenges the Steelers defense brings:
"They play incredibly hard, they're well coached, and they have a lot of great players. There are a lot of great matchups all throughout the game, really."
