After an absolute classic battle for an AFC North division title, you might just be surprised at what Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco said to Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger when they met at midfield at the conclusion of Sunday’s game.
“Hey go get ‘em, man, go win it,” Flacco said.
Those were the short but strong words the Ravens quarterback said to his rival. The Ravens playoff chances were extinguished when Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown capped off a huge game winning drive by stretching past three defenders over the goal line.
Roethlisberger has always said there is mutual respect between Flacco and himself. I have a feeling not all of the Ravens would like to see Roethlisberger raise his third Lombardi trophy, but Flacco probably isn’t one of them.
Pittsburgh versus Baltimore has become one of the most-watched games when they face off twice each year, as many of them are nationally televised. Sunday’s game went back and forth and ended with overcoming joy on one sideline and instant depression on the other side.
It looked like the Ravens had a good chance at securing the victory after they rushed for a touchdown with just 1:18 left in the game. But you can imagine that there were whispers on the Baltimore sideline that pondered if they might have just scored too quickly. An odd thing to think about, but Roethlisberger has been known to be a clutch player and lives for the big moment.
While having wrapped up the division before the last week in the regular season, it looks like at least Flacco would be fine if a different AFC North team kept winning. As for Roethlisberger, he also has a great deal of respect for the Ravens.
“A lot of respect when it’s over,” Roethlisberger said about games against the Ravens during his Tuesday interview on 93.7 The Fan. “I think everyone just kind of takes it deep breath, like, wow, that was battle. You went to battle against a foe that you really respect, that fights hard, that’s physical. And it’s like afterwards everyone is just so exhausted. Obviously, you’re so excited you won the North, but you’re just so exhausted and you’re walking across the field and everyone’s just looking and shaking hands and hugging and saying, ‘great battle, awesome, lot of respect, look forward to next year.'”
