Head Coach Mike Tomlin
(on the current state of the Ravens-Steelers rivalry)"I've got an insider's perspective, and so my perspective is probably a little bit more consistent than those on the outside, in that we've got respect for those guys – players and coaches. We've got respect for how they do their business and their intensions, and I really think the intensity of the rivalry is based on that respect. Because we know, regardless of circumstance, we should anticipate their best, and they should anticipate ours."
(on potentially clinching a playoff bid in Baltimore)"No, that's irrelevant to us. We're just focused on meeting this week's challenge, and that's to play well enough to win, not to worry about what goes on outside our stadium or any of that type of things that are side notes, or footnotes if you will, relative to the central challenge." *(Reporter: "So, you're saying it wouldn't feel any better to do it here in Baltimore?") *"It'd be tough. It'd be difficult for me to care less about the location."
(on WR Jacoby Jones returning to Baltimore)"He's coming." *(Reporter: "Has he given you a hard time about the sideline incident ever?") *"No, no. Jacoby is a football lover. We don't have any history in that regard. I think over the course of time, he has gotten to know me, and I think that may have eliminated any questions he may have had about that incident."
QB Ben Roethlisberger
(on if Baltimore's down year is an isolated incident or if the Ravens have fallen behind in the division)"No, I think they've had the injury bug pretty bad, and it's one of those seasons for them that you've got to deal with a lot of injuries to a lot of key positions and players. This is still a big game; it's the AFC North. It's big for us. They beat us here at our place. So, we're not looking at this as ... You've got to throw records out the window when you play AFC North football."
(on balancing a rivalry and a playoff push entering Week 16)"[We've] got to win. We've been playing every game as a playoff game for the last few weeks now. So, we're going to continue to do that, because this is a big game for us."
(on Ravens' 2015 Pro Bowlers G Marshal Yanda and P Sam Koch)"[They are] great football players; that's what Baltimore is and those guys especially. [They are] just consummate [pros] who have been doing it for a long time."
(on playing at M&T Bank Stadium)
"It's a very hostile place. This will be the first time that I can remember in a while playing a 1 o'clock game there. It always seems to be a prime time game. To go for a 1 o'clock game is going to be different, but I still expect it to be hostile and crazy."
(on what he sees from Baltimore now as compared to Week 4)
"They beat us here so there is a lot of focus going into this game. They have some different guys who have filled in, but did a great job. They have some high motor guys up front, in the secondary, doing different looks, mixing things up. It's not going to be easy trying to identify who is coming, who is not, where is someone lining up. We have a lot of film study to do."
WR/RS Jacoby Jones
(on the rivalry)
"I never really feed into it, but when I played for the Ravens I knew it was going to be a tough, physical game. I always tightened up my chin strap, and my shoulder pads. Now being on this side, I see why it's so tough and such a crazy rivalry."
CB Antwon Blake
(on the rivalry)
"To put it in simple terms, there is no love lost when we play each other. No matter what the record, guys come ready to play. Both teams will be ready this Sunday."
DE Cameron Heyward
(on the rivalry)
"I think it's the best rivalry in football. It's a hard-hitting, physical game that the mentally tough always win. It doesn't matter how it starts; it's how you finish. You have to wrap your mind around playing four quarters and more."
LB Ryan Shazier
(on the rivalry)
"It's a big-time rivalry. It doesn't matter what the records are. It doesn't matter what is going on. Both of the teams are going to bring everything they have. It's one of the biggest rivalries in the NFL."
