Despite rule changes, Steelers and Ravens expect more brutality

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

Ben Roethlisberger and Terrell Suggs have spent well over a decade staring across the line of scrimmage, the longtime Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback and the relentless Baltimore Ravens linebacker both knowing they will meet multiple times, often in violent fashion.

Their collisions — much like the rivalry between their two teams — have been memorable. So has the back and forth between the two.

And while the NFL appears to be in the midst of an identity crisis of sorts as it tries to legislate some of the brutality out of the game — particularly when it comes to how defenders can (and can’t) hit quarterbacks — Roethlisberger doesn’t expect much to change tonight when the Steelers (1-1-1) host the Ravens (2-1).

It will be physical. It will be tight. And at no time will Suggs or any of his teammates yell “I’m sorry” at Roethlisberger before hitting him as the microphones caught Tampa Bay’s Gerald McCoy doing during Pittsburgh’s victory last Monday.

“I don’t think you ever [get] an apology from a Raven,” Roethlisberger said with a laugh.

No apologies are necessary while playing what Steelers coach Mike Tomlin calls “AFC North football,” code he uses to describe a series built on respectful fierceness.

“We’ve been going at it with these guys it seems like forever now,” Tomlin said before adding, “you learn not to go into this game with any preconceived notion.”

Good idea. The reality is both sides have evolved. Baltimore’s previous two visits to Heinz Field have ended dramatically.

Antonio Brown’s “Immaculate Extension” in the final seconds secured a division title for the Steelers on Christmas night in 2016.

Chris Boswell’s late field goal capped a wild 39-38 Pittsburgh victory last December.

“They’ve turned into little mini-shootouts, and they’ve been a lot of fun to be a part of,” Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco said.

The Steelers and the 36-year-old Roethlisberger remain one of the NFL’s most dynamic offenses even with All-Pro running back Le’Veon Bell’s extended absence while waiting to sign his franchise tender.

It’s a group the Ravens appear to be ready to join thanks in part to a revitalized Flacco. Pittsburgh is the NFL’s seventh-highest scoring team through three weeks. Baltimore is fifth.

The nature of the rivalry may have changed through the years. The edge that emerges when they face each other has not.

“That’s why we enjoy playing a physical game against these guys,” Flacco said. “We have to make sure they feel like that, because it’s more than just winning and losing a game. It’s beating a division opponent up a little bit, so they still have to feel the effects the next week.”

PRIME-TIME PLAYERS

It’s hardly surprising the Steelers shook off a winless start by thriving under the lights in Tampa.

Pittsburgh seems to save its best for national showcases. Roethlisberger is 21-3 in regular season night games at Heinz Field. The Steelers have won nine straight appearances Sunday night, seven at home.

NO SMITH

This will be Baltimore’s final game without cornerback Jimmy Smith, who’s serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancers.

Smith has long been an integral part of the Ravens defense, but they’ve done just fine without him. Over three games, Baltimore has allowed a total of just nine points after halftime.

Maybe, but the Steelers offer a significant step up in class. While Brown remains as effective as ever, he’s hardly the only option at Roethlisberger’s disposal. While Brown is averaging a pedestrian 8.8 yards per grab, four of his teammates — including second-year wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster — are averaging 13 yards per catch or more.