The Renegade: Who is the Steelers Top Rival?

Who is the Steelers top rival? The answer to this question has changed with time and maybe even between seasons, but here we attempt to answer the question for the 2019 Steelers by giving the top arguments for the Ravens, Bengals, Patriots, and Browns, and then choosing our top rival.... Here we go!

Baltimore Ravens

It seems like every time the Steelers play the Ravens that there is something big on the line and the stakes are always big. These two teams have played some of the most physical games we have ever seen (did Willis McGahee ever play after 2008 AFC Championship Game?). That being said, many of the big personalities involved in the rivalry are retired or with other teams, especially with Flacco and Suggs on new teams. The last of this rivalry's peak are Ben, Tomlin, and Harbaugh; and because of that we're not sure if it is still THE definitive Steeler rivalry. But, when the Steelers schedule comes out every season, fans always circle the games against the Ravens and it seems like these games are always in primetime...except this upcoming season for the first time in a long time. In summary, this match up is always brutal but may be dissolving.

 

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Cincinnati Bengals

The Steelers vs. Raven is always physical, just like the Steelers vs. Bengals is always dirty. Over the past ten seasons, there have been so many injuries and dirty hits in this match up that it is almost not fun to watch. From the circus that was the 2016 Wild Card Game to Shazier's injury, these games never end well. Thankfully, Burfict and Pacman Jones are gone, plus the Bungals are going to be a dumpster fire this year, so these games MIGHT start to be a little cleaner.

post-gazette.com

New England Patriots

If your definition of a rival is a team you always struggle to beat, then the Patriots are definitely #1. If it was not for the Patriots, the Steelers may currently have 9 Lombardi trophies. Usually rivals are in the same division, but the Steelers play the Patriots pretty much every year making this one of the top games on the schedule each season. And lets be honest, the Patriots have no rivals in the AFC East.

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Cleveland Browns

During our lifetime (we were born in 1995-96), the Steelers have dominated this matchup, so we do not consider it a rival; however, many older fans always tell us about the Cleveland vs. Pittsburgh rivalries in the 1990s and we hope this starts to become a rivalry again with the Browns starting to become competitive. As the team in closest proximity to Pittsburgh, this would be a great rivalry. With the Steelers still a successful team and being set up for a stable future, combined with the hype machine fueling the Browns, they could become the top rival in a matter of a few season.

post-gazette.com

Overall Top Rival: Baltimore Ravens

The Patriots are a close second behind the Ravens, but the physicality of the Steelers vs. Ravens match up and the high stakes that seem to be a part of every game puts the Ravens as the Steelers top rival!

Who do you think is the Steeler's top rival? Let us know and thanks for reading!

Here We Go Steelers!

-Aaron and Ryan, TGYK