The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers rivalry is one of the NFL’s most iconic, but recent history hasn’t been kind to Baltimore. The Steelers have won eight of the last nine matchups, including an 18-16 nail-biter earlier this season where the Ravens quite literally fumbled away their chances.
With the AFC North title hanging in the balance, Saturday’s showdown at M&T Bank Stadium is shaping up to be a season-defining moment for both teams.
For Baltimore, this game is about flipping the narrative on a rivalry that’s become increasingly one-sided. The Ravens have the momentum after a dominant win over the New York Giants, but they’ll need to execute flawlessly to overcome the Steelers, who lead the NFL in turnover margin (+18). A mistake-free game is non-negotiable.
Enter former NFL lineman A.Q. Shipley, who didn’t mince words when asked for his thoughts on the game. Shipley isn’t just picking the Ravens to win—he’s predicting total domination.
Former Super Bowl champion A.Q. Shipley has choice words for Ravens vs. Steelers game
During a Ravens-Steelers preview on the Clean Pocket Podcast, A.Q. Shipley made some comments that are sure to ruffle a few Terrible Towels.
Fast forward to the 14:00 minute mark and we promise you won't be disappointed. Shipley gave his blunt assessment of the Steelers’ offense and their chances against Baltimore. “The Ravens are gonna beat the s*** out of the Pittsburgh Steelers in this game,” Shipley said. “I have not been a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers' offense all year. That same offense showed up again last week.”
When Shipley declared, “The Ravens are gonna beat the s*** out of the Pittsburgh Steelers,” he wasn’t just making a prediction—he was staking a claim in one of the NFL’s most heated rivalries. And it wasn’t just a soundbite for effect. Shipley doubled down, taking aim at Pittsburgh’s offense, calling their line “average at best” and their quarterback play unreliable.
He didn’t hold back, tearing into the Steelers’ offensive line and quarterback Russell Wilson with pinpoint criticism: “I think their offensive line is average at best. I think Russell is average at best,” he said before landing the knockout punch, “Can he make some plays? Sure. Can he throw a moon ball up and somebody makes a play for him? Sure. Do I think it’s gonna happen this weekend? Absolutely not.”
Shipley’s words don’t just raise the stakes; they pile onto the already sky-high pressure for both teams. The Ravens, desperate to break an eight-loss-in-nine-games skid against their bitter rivals, now carry the weight of proving Shipley right.
On the other sideline, don’t think for a second that Pittsburgh isn’t hearing this loud and clear. If the Ravens fail to deliver on Shipley’s brash forecast, it could become yet another humiliation in a rivalry that’s felt painfully lopsided for Baltimore in recent years.
The absence of Steelers wide receiver George Pickens, who’s been ruled out with a hamstring injury, is a huge break for Baltimore’s defense. Without their top target, Russell Wilson will have to lean on Calvin Austin III and Darnell Washington, a far less intimidating group. But the Ravens can’t rely solely on Pittsburgh’s shortcomings—they need to play a clean, disciplined game.
Shipley’s prediction isn’t just fiery—it’s daring Baltimore to play their best. Whether they rise to the occasion or fall short will determine if his words become prophecy or punchline.
However, this game isn’t about predictions—it’s about execution. If the Ravens clean up the mistakes that have plagued them in this matchup, they’ll finally put Pittsburgh in their rearview mirror and keep their AFC North title hopes alive. If not, it’s just another chapter in a rivalry that’s been all Steelers lately.