The Steelers have a key AFC North matchup this week when they take on the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Both teams head into the game with identical 6-6 records, and first place in the AFC North on the line.
"We're all focused now on the Steelers coming up," said Coach John Harbaugh. "I think when you step back and look at it, after the first third of the season, our goal was to fight our way, play our way back into contention and position to compete for the AFC North, and we've done that.
"So, here we are in the last third of the season with that objective and that challenge in front of us…to go win the AFC North, which starts on Sunday. So, that's where we're at, and that's what our focus will be."
The Ravens weighed in on the Steelers, from quarterback Aaron Rodgers, to the run game to the rivalry.
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Coach John Harbaugh on his impression of the 2025 Steelers:
"My impression is that's the team we have to beat this week, and whatever they are as we're studying, and however we need to attack them, we're going to put the best plan together that we can and play the best football we can on Sunday. That's my impression. That's how I think about it."
Harbaugh on what he is seeing from the Steelers:
"I see a Steelers team that's very physical. I just see a Steelers team. A well-coached team, very physical on both sides of the ball. I think they make a point, they always have, to play that kind of football, and they're doing it on both sides of the football. A very downhill, aggressive run game, but they attack you from sideline to sideline.
"They have a lot of really good runners, guys that they can toss it to, hand it to, throw it to, screen it to, any kind of different way you want, check it down to. They get them the ball, and then they can catch it and they can run and make yards, that's what they do. So, all those things are at a premium, in terms of defending those types of plays.
"A quarterback that knows exactly what he's doing and where he wants to go with the ball. A big, physical offensive line. Just a typical Steelers mentality. And they have a reputation and an identity that they've had for many years. Say the same thing about their defense, big, physical front, fast and active linebackers, downhill-playing safeties and sticky coverage guys that are very aggressive, handsy and active, both in press and when they play off, so kind of what you would expect to see."
Linebacker Roquan Smith on his anticipation for the game:
"Very excited about the game. I know that it's going to be a very physical game, and I embrace the physicality. So, very excited about that, and I know we are as well. It's going to be a great matchup, and excited about it."
Harbaugh on if he has to tell the players about the magnitude of the game:
"No, no. It's business really, right now. We're just trying to focus on the job at hand and trying to do the preparation the right way and be prepared to play the game the best way we can. There's a lot of work that goes into it, a lot of study and a lot of physical work on the field, too, so we're just trying to get everything right and get focused on the things that are going to make a difference in the game."
Smith on if physicality is what defines the rivalry:
"Yes, I think this rivalry, well before I was born because, shoot, the Ravens were '96? So, yes, it's been going on for a while. I remember watching it growing up as a kid, even though in Georgia you would see the Ravens versus the Steelers, whether that was in the playoffs, or whether that was in the regular season, it's always been one of those matchups that you just know is going to always be a tough, physical game. It is always going to be chippy.
"So, you look forward to those matchups, and I'm just excited about the opportunity, excited to be playing here and excited about the matchup with these guys."
Wide receiver Rashod Bateman on the mindset of playing the Steelers:
"It's just another game, and we'll just do what we need to do to get where we want at the end of the day."
Harbaugh on the Steelers focusing on stopping the run and how do you stay with your plan when you know that:
"That's what the game is for. Of course they are going to do everything they can to play the best defense they can, just like our defense will against them. And then how are they going to go about attacking our defense? We're going to go about attacking their defense the best way we can. And really, at the end of the day, it's going to be execution. It's going to be operation, execution and playmaking, all the things that it always boils down to."
Cornerback Marlon Humphrey on if this game feels any different than other games against the Steelers in the past:
"Honestly, no. But when I look at it, it is a little different. I don't know, it's weird. I am not on social media, so maybe I'm on ESPN a little bit too much, and I guess the AFC North is the 'mid,' so I feel like that's not normal.
"But it is two teams that kind of literally can control their own narrative, as far as this game goes. But I think it's a great opportunity. We want Ravens versus Steelers rivalries with just how they've competed over the years. I think there's no better stage than two teams that are just trying to get right, so I think it'll be a great game."
Harbaugh on how it affects the defense if Aaron Rodgers can't take snaps under center:
"Well, we'll see. We don't know that he is not going to be able to do that, so we'll have to prepare for his ability to do that. He didn't do it in the last game with the hand issue, but you just don't know. So, we'll have to just organize our defense accordingly. Certain plays they can run, whether they're under center or not. It changes the dynamic a little bit with the play-action stuff and the boots and things like that. But they still can run play-actions and boots if they're not under center, but we wouldn't say, we wouldn't discount the fact that he could very easily show up under center, too. So, we have to be ready for that as well."
Smith on Rodgers being with the Steelers:
"I have a great deal of respect for the guy. You don't play, what, 20-plus years in this league if you're not one of the most talented people that's played the game. So, I have a great deal of respect for him, but at the end of the day, it's more so about us and what we do. So, we just have to go out and impose our will and play our brand of football. That's what it's just going to come down to, and I have a great deal of respect, but it's not about that."
Harbaugh on how he describes the rivalry:
"It's a great rivalry. It's great to be a part of it. It's an honor to coach in it. It has been an honor to coach in it all these times. We respect the (Steelers) organization very much, and the coaches, Coach (Mike) Tomlin, the team and everybody.
"You know you're going up against a very worthy opponent. We understand that, and that's why it's such a great thing to be a part of. I'm sure someday we'll have a lot more time to reminisce about it than we do right now. So, that's really about all I can say about it at this point, because what it's going to be like on Sunday is going to depend on how well we play. If we play really well, then it's going to be great, and if we don't, it's not going to be so great. And that's kind of what I'm thinking about."
Smith on how important it will be to slow the Steelers ground game:
"I have a lot of respect for No. 30 (Jaylen Warren) and No. 14 (Kenneth Gainwell) as well, but at the end of the day, we're physical as well. That's what we pride ourselves on. So, it's about physical meets physical and who's more physical? That's what it boils down to, and that's what it's going to be at M&T Bank Stadium.
"So, if you love physicality, tune in. If you don't, don't tune in, and I'm all about it. So, I'll make sure I'm ready, and I know I will be."
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