Pittsburgh Steelers Appear to Be Embracing Baltimore Ravens’ Blueprint as Rivalry Evolves Into Tactical Chess Match for AFC North Supremacy
The Baltimore Ravens’ biggest rival may be taking a page out of their playbook. For decades, the Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers have defined what it means to play physical, old-school football in the AFC North. Their rivalry has been built on bruising defenses, relentless run games, and a mutual disdain that only adds fuel to every clash between the two franchises. But now, as the NFL enters a more nuanced, scheme-driven era, it appears the Steelers are beginning to shift their identity—mirroring some of the very tactical strategies that have made the Ravens successful in recent seasons.
What makes this transformation so intriguing is how it reflects a growing sense of urgency in Pittsburgh. The Steelers haven’t been true contenders in several years, and while Mike Tomlin’s consistent coaching has kept them above water, they’ve lagged behind Baltimore when it comes to offensive innovation and roster flexibility. Now, the Steelers seem to be waking up to the realization that if they want to keep pace, they can no longer rely solely on tradition and toughness. They must evolve. And in doing so, they appear to be borrowing concepts directly from the Ravens’ modernized approach.
The first—and most obvious—example is in the way the Steelers are restructuring their offensive philosophy. After years of struggling with inconsistent quarterback play and a predictable offense, Pittsburgh brought in Arthur Smith as their new offensive coordinator. Smith, known for his time with the Titans and Falcons, has a strong background in play-action passing and power-run schemes that resemble the same foundational elements Baltimore has leaned on during Lamar Jackson’s reign.
But more than just schematics, it’s the personnel decisions that reveal the Steelers’ strategic pivot. Pittsburgh acquired Justin Fields this offseason, a move that raised eyebrows not only for its surprise but for its implication: the Steelers are exploring a dual-threat quarterback model. Fields, while not guaranteed the starting job over Russell Wilson, brings a level of mobility and explosiveness that the Ravens have capitalized on with Jackson for years. It’s clear the Steelers want to add a dynamic rushing element to their offense—something that has long been a staple of Baltimore’s success.
The Ravens have shown the NFL how devastating a mobile quarterback can be when paired with the right offensive line, a complementary run game, and vertical threats. Pittsburgh, perhaps reluctantly at first, seems to have taken note. Fields’ arrival suggests a desire to not only add mobility but to make defenses account for the quarterback as a legitimate run threat—a tactic Baltimore has used to stretch defenses thin and control tempo.
Then there’s the renewed emphasis on the run game. Baltimore’s identity has been shaped around a dominant rushing attack, even in the modern pass-heavy NFL. With backs like Mark Ingram, J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and now Derrick Henry, the Ravens have consistently ranked among the top rushing teams in the league. Pittsburgh, recognizing the importance of physicality and time-of-possession control, is investing further into Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, hoping to recreate a similar backfield tandem that can wear down defenses and control the pace of games.
Even Pittsburgh’s draft and free-agent acquisitions echo Baltimore’s roster-building approach. The Steelers prioritized strengthening their offensive and defensive lines in the 2024 draft, echoing the Ravens’ long-held philosophy that games are won in the trenches. Broderick Jones, their young tackle, has been tasked with anchoring a reshaped offensive line that’s built to move people off the ball—just as Baltimore has done year after year. On the other side, Pittsburgh continues to develop a defensive front that can match the Ravens’ physicality and disrupt mobile quarterbacks—something they’ve struggled with in recent matchups.
Defensively, the Steelers are also subtly adapting. While their traditional 3-4 base defense remains intact, they’ve begun to show more flexibility with personnel and pre-snap disguises. This mimics Baltimore’s defensive evolution under Mike Macdonald, who helped shape a unit capable of mixing pressures, coverages, and fronts to confuse even elite quarterbacks. The Ravens have built one of the league’s most adaptable and opportunistic defenses, and it appears Pittsburgh is finally recognizing that adaptability—not just toughness—is key in today’s NFL.
Culturally, the shift is happening too. The Ravens’ locker room has long been known for its leadership-driven approach, with veterans like Calais Campbell, Mark Andrews, and Ronnie Stanley setting the tone. Pittsburgh is now emphasizing similar values. The retention of players like Cameron Heyward and Minkah Fitzpatrick, combined with the addition of veteran leaders in free agency, indicates a desire to stabilize the locker room and build from within—another page straight from the Ravens’ organizational playbook.
Of course, no imitation is perfect, and Pittsburgh faces several challenges in executing this transition. For one, Lamar Jackson is a one-of-a-kind quarterback. His ability to break games open with his legs and arm cannot simply be copied by inserting Justin Fields or relying on Russell Wilson. The system in Baltimore works because it’s tailored around Jackson’s rare skill set and decision-making. Pittsburgh will need to do more than replicate the structure; they must find ways to innovate around their own personnel, or risk becoming a poor imitation of their rivals.
Then there’s the coaching question. John Harbaugh has provided consistent leadership for the Ravens for over 15 years, adjusting to league trends and embracing analytics in a way few head coaches have. Mike Tomlin is certainly cut from the same cloth in terms of leadership and longevity, but his willingness to embrace a full schematic shift remains a question. Can the Steelers truly commit to an identity that prioritizes versatility, deception, and explosive offensive design? That remains to be seen.
Still, the attempt to mirror Baltimore’s blueprint is a sign of respect—even if it’s unspoken. In many ways, the Ravens have become the standard for how to build a team in the AFC North. They draft well, develop talent, control the line of scrimmage, and embrace modern football while maintaining physicality. The Steelers, long resistant to changing their DNA, seem to finally realize that competing in this division now requires evolution—not just tradition.
As both teams prepare for their inevitable battles this season, the chess match will go beyond the field. It’s now a battle of ideologies as much as execution. The Ravens will look to continue asserting their dominance through their dynamic offense and swarming defense, while the Steelers aim to close the gap by implementing a system that resembles Baltimore’s proven approach.
Fans of both franchises know the stakes. These aren’t just games—they’re territorial wars. For decades, Baltimore and Pittsburgh have hated each other not just because they’re division rivals, but because they’ve fought for the same football identity. Now, as Pittsburgh begins to resemble its longtime nemesis more closely than ever before, the rivalry takes on a new dimension. It’s no longer just about who’s tougher. It’s about who’s smarter, faster, and more adaptable in the modern NFL.
Baltimore won’t take kindly to Pittsburgh creeping into their strategic domain. The Ravens have spent years crafting their hybrid model of smashmouth football blended with high-level innovation. If Pittsburgh begins to find success using similar tools, it could reignite the rivalry in ways that go beyond hits and penalties—it could become a cerebral battle between two franchises with championship aspirations.
As the 2025 season unfolds, eyes will be on how both teams execute their vision. Can Pittsburgh’s version of Baltimore’s playbook produce results? Or will the Ravens show why they’ve been the blueprint all along? One thing is certain: the stakes have never been higher, and the similarities have never been closer.
What was once a battle of contrasts is quickly becoming a mirror match. And in a rivalry as storied as this one, that only raises the intensity.
