If you are old enough you remember the 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers team, and their legendary playoff run. During that run we all remember the AFC Divisional win over Payton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. After the win, the game where leading up to the contest Joey Porter called the Colts “soft”, Bill Cowher advised the not to say anything anymore as they progress through the playoffs.

Porter, about to address the team, said, “Man, they shot me in Denver!”

It is unknown if Mike Tomlin had a similar message to his team ahead of their Week 11 game vs. the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday at Acrisure Stadium, but there has been a lot of extra motivation and talking heading into the game.

It all started Wednesday this week when inside linebacker Patrick Queen met with the media, and, as you can expect, was asked about his feelings playing his old team Sunday. Shockingly, Queen showed remorse over not being able to stay, but also added there is some extra motivation for him as he made it known the Ravens never offered him a contract this past offseason.

It was this reason why he said in his introductory press conference with the Steelers how he is happy to be somewhere where he feels wanted. Hear Queen talk about the upcoming game…

Steelers ILB Patrick Queen says it took him until the end of August/early September to get over his breakup with the Ravens, and that he hasn’t spoken to John Harbaugh or Eric DeCosta since signing in Pittsburgh

“I definitely did feel a type of way”pic.twitter.com/k1NzdmN5VS

— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) November 13, 2024

Queen was respectful to his former teammates and team, but DeShon Elliott, who also is a former Raven, didn’t hold back as much. This is just one clip from Elliott joining Marlon Humphries podcast this week. Throughout the podcast Elliott sent shots not just to the Ravens, but even the Miami Dolphins caught strays from Elliott during his podcast appearance.

My boy PQ ducking smokeeeeee @Patrickqueen_ 🤣@punchlinepod44 pic.twitter.com/VV69XZ2VHc

— Jack Settleman (@jacksettleman) November 13, 2024

It wasn’t just former Ravens who are now Steelers talking, former Steelers slot cornerback Arthur Maulet made it public he knows exactly what the Steelers will do when trying to slow down/contain Lamar Jackson. After all, he’s been in those meeting rooms when the Steelers are talking about how they plan on attacking the Ravens offense.

He spent 2021-22 with Pittsburgh, Ravens CB Arthur Maulet has a pretty good idea what Lamar Jackson might see from the Steelers Sunday. Added some humor saying, “When I was over there he (Lamar) was a little fat man.” Lamar has lost weight & throws way better now Maulet added. pic.twitter.com/9ea3vctfCl

— Morgan Adsit (@MorganAdsit) November 12, 2024

And then there’s Diontae Johnson. Mike Tomlin made waves on Tuesday when he was asked about Johnson and his play with Baltimore, and this was his response:

Mike Tomlin ROASTED former #Steelers WR Diontae Johnson when asked about facing him this week:

“They’ve got more significant pieces with larger roles that occupy my attention.”

😳😳😳pic.twitter.com/2gsKOBuHh8

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 12, 2024

In regards to Johnson’s own comments about returning to Pittsburgh, and the organization who drafted him, Johnson was respectful of what lies ahead. However, when asked questions about what he remembers most, he did tend to focus on what he did individually over what the team might have done during his tenure in Pittsburgh.

My main criticism of Diontae Johnson in a nutshell. Was asked in Baltimore his favorite Steelers-Ravens moment and it was individual achievement(s). Not Ben Roethlisberger’s last regular season game to squeeze into the playoffs, not the last-minute win there 1/1/23. Just two TDs. pic.twitter.com/WdP0txAMrf

— Brian Batko (@BrianBatko) November 12, 2024

Either way, this is a new era, and a new realm, of this Steelers vs. Ravens rivalry. There is more turnover between the two teams than usual, and more players who have worn both jerseys in their time in the league. I didn’t even mention Chris Wormley, who is on the Ravens rivalry and was drafted by Baltimore before being traded to the Steelers, or Jeremiah Moon who was drafted by the Ravens and was claimed off waivers by the Steelers this past year.

It’s a new era, and a new year, for the Steelers vs. Ravens rivalry…but don’t think new equates to bad. Buckle up for Sunday.

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the Ravens this Sunday in Week 11.