AFC North football is here. It feels like the first half of the season was almost a practice run and now it’s finally time for the real deal. Even with all the success and stacking W’s in the win column, these are the games that will ultimately decide the fate of the team as the postseason fast approaches.

As I prepared for this week’s article, I found several articles that point to Baltimore telling all their new players that they aren’t really a Raven until they have beaten the Steelers. Considering the last five years, that means there are a lot of chickens masquerading around in black paint pretending to be crows over Maryland way.

I could have sworn I’ve heard the Steelers say the same thing, but all of my searches could not find one example of that. Perhaps you also swear that you have heard that being said. Either my google machine is on the fritz, or it’s that weird Mandela effect where a large number of people share a memory of something that never actually happened. It sure feels like it was said, but it’s a telling statement that it does not show up. Pittsburgh doesn’t have to say that, because they have had extraordinary success against the Ravens that the rest of the league only wishes they could duplicate.

It would be fun though, if the Steelers gave out little hypocycloid mini-logo stickers for each win against Baltimore and the other AFC North teams, to signify how important they are. They do have a blank side of the helmet just begging for it. Imagine what a vet like Cam Heyward’s helmet would look like. It might be so heavy he would slightly lean that direction from the weight of all those stickers.

These division games certainly have more weight. The rivalry is real, but it has changed. The days of blunt force trauma games are becoming the ghosts of seasons past. I have no idea what the final outcome will be Sunday, but I expect a high scoring game from both teams. The Steelers seem to be more prepared to win that type of game now than ever, and with both teams having kickers that can hit from distance, crossing mid-field almost guarantees a shot at getting points.

Personally, I don’t subscribe to the idea that beating the Ravens is a requirement to be considered a real Steeler. Earning a roster spot is no easy task, and anyone on the team at this point of the season has given their blood, sweat, and tears and deserves to be there. It’s like boxing. If you are brave enough to lace up the gloves and make that walk into the ring, you are a fighter, win or lose.

Not having Alex Highsmith is a big blow, but this team has been overcoming huge injuries all season. I hope we don’t see a repeat of the Indy performance where the zone pass defense was picked apart, because Lamar Jackson has been excellent this season at finding those mid-level holes in the zone for big gains. I’m sure the defense will be showing some new looks in this game that they have been saving just for Baltimore.

I don’t expect the defense to shut down Baltimore’s offense, but if they can continue their habit of refusing to give up six points, the new look offense of the Steelers is more than capable of matching scores. Pittsburgh doesn’t have to give out hypocycloid mini-stickers to their players to be real Steelers, but maybe they can leave some rattle-cans of black spray paint in the visitor locker room for all those chickens that will need a fresh coat heading back to Baltimore without a win.