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Right from the start, the Ravens-Steelers series had some extra juice. On a wet December Sunday at Memorial Stadium in 1996, former Steeler Eric Green scored a Ravens touchdown and went Dancing With The Stars on Bill Cowher and the Steelers bench--it was the Ravens first win over the Black and Gold.

Pittsburgh fans might tell you that the Browns are their biggest rival and I wouldn't argue with that. The neighbors have been playing since the late 1930's when Hall Of Famer Johnny Blood (love that name) was coaching the Steelers.

Most players don't major in history, they care about the here and now, and Hines Ward and Bart Scott know the here and now is a Monday Night date.
More than anything, competition fuels a rivalry, and the Ravens and Steelers will play for first place Monday night and that's nothing new; since 2000 these two have owned the division.

Since 2000 The Ravens and Steelers have combined to win 2 Super Bowls, and since the AFC North was formed in 2001, they have won 6 of the 7 division titles and tied for the other (Steelers and Bengals went 11-5 in 2005).

For Baltimore fans the low point in the series came last year when Ben Roethlisberger threw five touchdown passes IN THE FIRST HALF! For a 35-0 second quarter lead (I'm not sure but I think trainer Bill Tessendorf played cornerback for awhile that night).

Monday night, they'll write the latest chapter in this series that the Steelers lead 14-10, and I don't think we'll need the ghosts of Joey Porter and James Trapp to remind John Harbaugh that this one is special.

I-Formation

-With Matt Millen out in Detroit, I wonder if a top NFL executive like Ron Wolf would even consider running the Lions. You have to wonder if there's an inherent flaw at the very top of the organization.

-I wonder how long it'll take Millen to land a TV gig, he was pretty good before he got himself into that Motor City Mess.

-I'm not surprised the Rams benched QB Mark Bulger for Trent Green. With Bulger leading the offense, the Rams went 28 possessions before they made it to the red zone--that's offensive!

-I wonder why Mike Tomlin tells the truth. The Steelers coach came right out and said Willie Parker and Casey Hampton won't play Monday Night. Doesn't he know you can't tell the fans and media the truth and still win? C'mon Mike, remember its smoke and mirrors and always list a hamstring injury as a thigh injury and you'll win every time.

-I wonder if Tom Brady is the genius and Bill Belichick is just a good coach.

-I give the Giants credit for suspending Plaxico Burress. Team imposed discipline often is reserved for fringe not Pro Bowl players.

-I suspect Brian Griese wasn't on a pitch count. The QB threw 67 passes for Tampa Bay in a win over the Bears Sunday. Think Gruden abandoned the run? The Bucs ran 22 consecutive pass plays in the last 7 minutes of the game.

-I wonder if Derek Anderson is sleeping well these nights.

-If the Browns tank I think Phil Savage's first call has to be Bill Cowher.

3 and out!
Scott