In a pivotal AFC North matchup this Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers will defend their division lead against the Baltimore Ravens, renewing one of the NFL’s most intense and storied rivalries.
It sounds like a cliche, but you can truly throw out the records each and every time these two rivals square off.
Having said that, there’s no denying the intensity and excitement are even higher when both teams are legitimate contenders.
John Harbaugh and the Ravens are right in the thick of the playoff picture with their strong 7-3 record.
For Mike Tomlin and the Steelers, this season is going much better than what most people expected.
At 7-2, Pittsburgh currently leads the division and are getting surprisingly impressive quarterback play from Russell Wilson who looks five years younger.
Beyond the rivalry itself, the matchup features some added drama: two players who swapped teams last season will face their former teammates for the first time.
Baltimore’s roster now includes former Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson, while Pittsburgh gained inside linebacker Patrick Queen, a former Ravens starter.
It’s no secret that Johnson’s tenure in Pittsburgh wasn’t exactly smooth. As a matter of fact, it was filled with drama and frustration.
Tomlin, who’s one of the best motivational speakers the NFL has ever seen, is usually careful to not provide opponents with bulletin board material.
However, he may have done just that when asked how he is preparing to face Johnson.
“To be honest with you, I hadn’t thought a lot about it,” Tomlin said. “He’s not on a lot of their video, and so at this stage of the week, I don’t know that I’ve weighed what he might mean to the matchup.
“They got more significant pieces with larger roles that are occupying my attention at this part of the week.”
In fairness to Tomlin, there’s not one single thing he said that isn’t true. However, many Ravens fans have accused him of firing a low-blow at Johnson.
Johnson’s journey to Baltimore was a complex one. The Steelers initially traded him to the Carolina Panthers in the offseason, acquiring cornerback Donte Jackson in return.
Then, before the trade deadline, Carolina sent Johnson to Baltimore in exchange for a late-round draft pick. So far, Johnson has made just one catch for six yards across two games with the Ravens – a limited role that seems to justify Tomlin’s dismissive stance.
What are your thoughts on Tomlin’s comments? … Did he indeed take a shot at Johnson? Or was he merely speaking the truth?
More importantly, what are your thoughts on the matchup? … Who do you see winning???