Rival (noun) — a person or thing competing with another for the same objective or for superiority in the same field of activity.

The Steelers have had trouble beating the Baltimore Ravens recently, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the Ravens have been surpassed by the Cincinnati Bengals as Pittsburgh’s chief rival.

In fact, the losses to Baltimore do nothing but intensify a long-standing back-and-forth contest between the Ravens and Steelers.

That back-and-forth doesn’t exist against the Bengals: all that exists is a history of cheap hits and dirty play over the last few years. In fact, the Steelers have absolutely owned the Bengals since Mike Tomlin became Pittsburgh’s head coach in 2007:

Over a period of 20 games played through the regular season and playoffs, Mike Tomlin has a 15-5 record against Cincinnati.

Against the Ravens Tomlin’s record is one game under .500, at 10-11.

The Steelers haven’t fared well in recent encounters with the Ravens, however, that doesn’t mean Baltimore can dismiss Pittsburgh as it’s main rival either. The Steelers also owned a healthy 7-3 advantage over the Ravens during Tomlin’s early years as head coach, so Baltimore has essentially closed the gap.

That’s something you expect in a rivalry; something the Bengals have consistently come up short with against the Steelers.

Furthermore, Ben Roethlisberger has a 9-6 winning record against the Ravens since 2007 (Tomlin’s rookie year as coach) with multiple backups having played against Baltimore over the years, with the Steelers last road win against the Ravens being the only win by a backup QB (Charlie Batch).

When asked before the Steelers season opener whom Pittsburgh’s rival was, Cameron Heyward noted why it’s the Ravens:

Cam Heyward: Ravens, not Bengals, are Steelers' biggest rivals https://t.co/DNJyj2Ylel pic.twitter.com/S7xwnNcpjQ

— Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (@PittsburghPG) September 14, 2016

Yes, the Bengals have won some division championships, and have been in the playoff race over several of the last season. However, the Bengals are still chasing what the Steelers and Ravens both have: Lombardi Trophies.

In fact, the Bengals are still chasing a playoff win, having not won postseason game since 1991.

The Bengals shortcomings are why they cannot be considered a rival. When the Steelers and Ravens play, the games are primetime events with dire consequences on the line: a division title, playoff seeding, or a “loser goes home” playoff scenario.

Until the Bengals start winning games, meaningful games, or at the very least start winning any games against the Steelers, how could Pittsburgh even consider them as a rival? I don’t recall any memorable loss that the Steelers have suffered to Cincinnati over the last few years, let alone the Mike Tomlin era, or the even bigger picture: Marvin Lewis‘ struggles against the Steelers.

Bengals vs Steelers from two eras — the era between Sam Wyche and Marvin Lewis and the Marvin Lewis era. pic.twitter.com/ewxUCTUz3A

— Grumpy Middle-aged Sports Fan (Josh Kirkendall) (@Josh_Kirkendall) September 16, 2016

 

While the Steelers have lost 5 of their last 6 against the Ravens, they’ve won 6 of their last 7 against the Bengals. That would almost determine that one team owns the other, in either scenario, and a true rivalry no longer exists (like the Steelers and Browns). However, the Ravens have simply closed a gap, since the Steelers had the margin of victory in their favor over the earlier part of their rivalry. (And face it, Pittsburgh also owns an AFC Championship win over the Ravens as well.)

Those types of wins or losses simply do not exist in the world of Marvin Lewis, nor did they prior to Lewis’ arrival:

Bengals vs Steelers from two eras — the era between Sam Wyche and Marvin Lewis and the Marvin Lewis era. pic.twitter.com/ewxUCTUz3A

— Grumpy Middle-aged Sports Fan (Josh Kirkendall) (@Josh_Kirkendall) September 16, 2016

That’s why the Ravens are the Steelers chief, numero uno, Public Enemy #1, and not the Bengals.

However, that could change over the course of time, which starts this Sunday as the Steelers travel to Baltimore. Pittsburgh will attempt to win the Ravens house for the first time since 2012, and if Roethlisberger plays, his first time on the road since 2010.

That win would go a long way in extending what has been one of the more entertaining rivalries in professional sports over the last decade.