The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens are no strangers to high-stakes divisional matchups – and their meeting on Sunday marks the latest edition.

Although Pittsburgh (7-2) comes in with a one-game lead over Baltimore (7-3), ESPN Analytics gives the Ravens a 63% chance to win the AFC North heading into Sunday. A win would increase their chances to 80%, but a loss would drop their chances to 36%, while the Steelers’ chances would increase to 63%. However, if the Steelers lose, their chances drop to 20%.

Numbers aside, few players can appreciate the weight of this game better than Patrick Queen, DeShon Elliott and Diontae Johnson. The three players have each switched sides in the rivalry and will face their former teams for the first time this weekend.

Queen, a first-round pick of the Ravens in 2020, said Baltimore did not offer him a contract in free agency, which led him to sign with the Steelers.

Still, he played down the idea that he would bring “something extra” against his former team.

“I don’t think it’s that big of a deal,” Queen said. “I think the outside picture makes it bigger than it is. For me personally, it’s like any situation that someone in my shoes would feel a certain way, but I don’t think it has to be that way to be.” everything more, everything extra.”

Meanwhile, Elliott, the Ravens’ sixth-round pick in the 2018 NFL draft and current Steelers safety, didn’t shy away from talking about the matchup on his former teammate’s podcast.

“Defensively, I don’t know what you guys have going on there. It has nothing to do with me,” Elliott said on Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey’s “Punch Line.” “But the stat sheet says y’all are No. 1 in run defense. But it says, I think, y’all are 32nd in pass defense.”

Johnson, who was drafted by the Steelers in the third round in 2019, was traded to the Carolina Panthers in the offseason before being sent to Baltimore in October.

Besides noting how strange it will be to step into the visiting locker room — a place he’s never been — Johnson remained calm and collected about the game.

“Just being back in that stadium where it all started, it will be different,” Johnson said. “I’ve actually never been in the locker room (in Pittsburgh), so that will be different for me, but I’m ready to get back there just to see the good people that I’ve built a relationship with, But beyond that is a big moment for me.”

Next Sunday, the trio will join the ranks of top players who have played for and against the Ravens and Steelers.

Rod Woodson (Steelers 1987-96, Ravens 1998-2001)

Woodson was selected 10th overall by Pittsburgh in the 1987 draft and established himself as one of the greatest defensive backs in NFL history during his Steelers tenure. He earned six Pro Bowls and was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1993.

He reached the playoffs six times in Pittsburgh and played in Super Bowl XXX after undergoing reconstructive knee surgery, although the Steelers lost to the Dallas Cowboys.

Woodson then had a one-year stint with the San Francisco 49ers before joining Baltimore in 1997. He said he should be recognized as a Steeler.

“My first 10 years in Pittsburgh really defined my career,” Woodson said. “I spent four years in Baltimore and got a Super Bowl ring. I’m very happy and proud to be a Baltimore Raven, but Pittsburgh gave me the opportunity to get into the league in 1987. Unfortunately, we never got a Super Bowl won.”

With Pittsburgh, Woodson won 1-1 against the Ravens. During his Ravens years, he went 4-4 against the Steelers, including helping Baltimore’s historic 2000 defense win the Super Bowl.

He chose to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a Steeler in 2009, but is also the first Ravens player to be inducted into Canton.

Mike Wallace (Steelers 2009-12, Ravens 2016-17)

Wallace was drafted by Pittsburgh in the third round (84th overall) in 2009 and quickly became one of the NFL’s top threats with the Steelers. During those years, he posted a 3-5 record against Baltimore and scored several memorable touchdowns in the rivalry. After stints with the Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings, Wallace returned to the AFC North.

“It feels good to be back in the rivalry. Obviously I’m on the other side now, but it’s still the best rivalry in football so no matter which side you’re on, it’s going to be a great game. ” to play in,” Wallace said. “…A lot of hate. However, there is always respect.”

During his time with Baltimore, he went 1-3 against his former team, but not without catching a 95-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco at M&T Bank Stadium.

“It meant everything to play for the Steelers. I got to play for the pinnacle of NFL teams. Coach Tomlin was the best coach I ever had at any level. The most real coach, true coach… .Once you start playing for other teams, there’s nothing like playing for the Steelers,” Wallace said in 2021. “I can promise you that, people aren’t going to want to hear this; .

LJ Fort (Steelers 2015-18, Ravens 2019-21)

Fort’s NFL journey started in the AFC North, but not with the Ravens or Steelers. Signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2012, he eventually ended up in Pittsburgh, where he became a reliable special teams player and backup linebacker.

During his time in black and gold, Fort went 4-1 against Baltimore. Later, with the Ravens, he went 2-2 against his former team, providing valuable depth on defense and special teams. He played exclusively on special teams during Baltimore’s 26–23 overtime win at Pittsburgh on October 6, 2019.

Excluding offseason and practice squad stints, Fort played for five teams over seven seasons, with only Baltimore and Pittsburgh being multi-year stays.

Chris Wormley (Ravens 2017-19, 2024-present; Steelers 2020-22)

Selected by Baltimore in the third round (74th overall) of the 2017 draft, Wormley spent his first three seasons with the Ravens before being traded to Pittsburgh – marking a rare direct trade between the rivals.

While with the Steelers, he posted a 3-1 record against Baltimore. In his first stint as a Raven, Wormley won 3-2 against Pittsburgh. He signed with Baltimore’s practice squad in September.

Arthur Maulet (Steelers 2021-2022, Ravens 2023-present)

Maulet, a member of the Elliott referenced secondary, was on the other side of this rivalry during his time with the Steelers.

“I’m not a Raven yet,” Maulet told reporters this week, acknowledging his 0-2 record against his former team last season. “I want to be a Raven.”

This story contains reporting from ESPN’s Brooke Pryor.