Former Ravens defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson calls the Baltimore-Pittsburgh rivalry unlike any other.
The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers rivalry is arguably the hardest-hitting, most physical and contentious battle in the NFL. Each year there’s a new wrinkle added, be it a big hit, a comment made or a painful loss.
According to former Ravens defensive backs coach turned Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, who joined the “Green Light with Chris Long” podcast, it’s unlike any other.
“The Baltimore-Pittsburgh rivalry is something I’ve never seen before. And I’ve been in multiple divisions,” Wilson said. “I’ve been in the old-school black-and-blue division with the Chicago Bears, being in the division with Philly and Dallas and everything. The Pittsburgh-Baltimore rivalry is totally different. The first thing they say, you’re not a true Raven until you beat the Steelers. I mean, that’s huge. It doesn’t matter how good the team is, what your record is, when you line up against the Steelers or Baltimore, it is a bloodbath. I mean, it’s old-school football, and I love it.”
Wilson would know a thing or two about NFL rivalries, as he’s coached in some of the most historical and contentious divisions. Wilson has coached or worked in the NFC North (Chicago Bears) in the NFC West (St. Louis Rams), AFC East (New York Jets), NFC East (Philadelphia Eagles). And yet, the top of Wilson’s list reigns the AFC North, with the Ravens-Steelers rivalry.