'Not A Raven!' Baltimore vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Rivalry Means More to Patrick Queen

The rivalry between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens is a heated one. They're division rivals, yes, but there always seems to be more than that between the two teams. And for one Raven, it means so much more.

The rivalry between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens is a heated one. They're division rivals, yes, but there always seems to be more than that between the two teams. And for one Raven, it means so much more.

Baltimore linebacker Patrick Queen says he had a run-in with Steelers coach Mike Tomlin during his rookie season with the Ravens, and he takes each game personally when the two teams meet.

“Any time you join this organization and they talk about this game, it’s the game that defines you and makes you a Raven,” Queen said. “When I was on their sideline my rookie year, Mike Tomlin was looking at me, yelling at me, ‘You’re not a Raven. You’re not a Raven. You’re not supposed to be there. You’re not one of them.’ So every time I play them there’s something personal.

“I don’t care if he was joking. I don’t care if he was serious. At the end of the day, I’m on your sideline and you’re telling me I’m not a Raven. That’s kind of disrespectful,” Queen said.

What's unacceptable to Queen is that in six games he's played against the Steelers, the Ravens are 1-5. Queen describes that as "unacceptable" and he's personally motivated to change that on Sunday.

The matchup in Pittsburgh between the 3-1 Ravens and 2-2 Steelers will mean a lot to both teams, with Baltimore holding a one-game lead in the AFC North. Pittsburgh seems to be questioning everything right now after an embarrassing 30-6 loss to the Houston Texans last week. Offensive coordinator Matt Canada has come under fire, as has the play of quarterback Kenny Pickett.

The Ravens have two division wins already over Cleveland and Cincinnati and hope to get another on Sunday in Pittsburgh.