The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers delivered another instant classic in their long-standing rivalry on Sunday, with Pittsburgh eking out an 18-16 win. Despite not scoring a single touchdown, the Steelers leaned on their defense and kicker Chris Boswell’s six field goals to secure the victory.
It was an ugly, hard-fought game, exactly what you’d expect when these two AFC North heavyweights clash.
In his first game against the Ravens since leaving Baltimore to join the Steelers, Patrick Queen played a significant role in the outcome. He led the Steelers with 10 tackles, including one for a loss, and recovered a fumble in the second quarter that set up an important field goal by Boswell.
The win moved Pittsburgh to 8-2 on the season, extending their lead in the division standings. For Queen, it was the ultimate “prove-it” moment against the team that decided he wasn’t worth a second contract.
Mike Tomlin’s cheeky response after Patrick Queen’s dominance
After the game, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin didn’t hold back when asked about Queen’s impact. “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, man,” Tomlin said with a grin. “I’m glad he’s on our team.” It was a not-so-subtle jab at Baltimore for letting Queen hit free agency and perfectly encapsulates this rivalry's heated nature.
#Steelers HC Mike Tomlin on Patrick Queen: "One man's trash, is another man's treasure. I'm glad he's on our team." pic.twitter.com/S4aTXHQB0I
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 18, 2024
Queen’s path to Pittsburgh was fueled by frustration.
After four years with the Ravens and a Pro Bowl nod in 2023, Queen was not offered a contract extension, with Baltimore choosing instead to pay Roquan Smith. That decision clearly didn’t sit well with Queen, who signed a three-year, $41 million deal with the Steelers this past offseason.
In the lead-up to Sunday’s game, Queen admitted he felt slighted by Baltimore’s decision. “I wasn’t wanted back,” Queen said earlier in the week. “It’s upsetting, but it’s a business, and I’m just here to do my job for Pittsburgh now.”
Tomlin didn’t just talk about Queen’s value after the game, he showed it during it. The coach selected Queen as one of the Steelers’ captains for the coin toss, a symbolic move that sent a clear message to the Ravens. Queen later called it “an honor” and said it added extra fuel to his performance.
Queen’s standout showing and Tomlin’s sharp words ensure this storyline won’t fade anytime soon. With another matchup looming in Week 18, the rivalry just got a little spicier. For the Ravens, this loss is painful for multiple reasons. Not only did it set them back in the AFC North standings, but it also highlighted what they lost with Queen.