Terrell Suggs: Ravens ready for battle

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Round 3 of Ravens versus Steelers is Saturday. Pro Bowl linebacker Terrell Suggs said it's more like "World War III" to the Ravens.

On Sunday, after the Ravens beat the Kansas City Chiefs 30-7 in an AFC wild-card game, Suggs said that the divisional-round matchup between the Ravens and Steelers is "personal between the two cities, Baltimore and Pittsburgh."

“

This is World War III to us. This is definitely Armageddon.

” -- Terrell Suggs

When asked to expound on his comment in an interview with "ESPN First Take" on Monday, Suggs said that for the Ravens, the matchup is taking on biblical proportions.

"This is World War III to us. This is definitely Armageddon," Suggs said.

The Ravens and Steelers split the two regular-season games in their bitter rivalry this season with Baltimore winning on the road 17-14 in Week 4 -- Pittsburgh's first loss -- and the Steelers winning at Baltimore 13-10 in Week 13 -- the Ravens' only loss at home this season.

Suggs said the "whole football world" is looking forward to seeing another "smashmouth" battle between the two teams.

"We're like modern-day gladiators," he said.

Both teams finished 12-4 but the Steelers won the AFC North thanks to a better division record.

"We're very evenly matched. Two physical, fast, outstanding defenses," Suggs said. "Two very poised quarterbacks, except their quarterback [Ben Roethlisberger] may have an edge since he's got two rings, but we're working on getting Joe [Flacco] his first one this year."

Saturday's winner will advance to the AFC Championship Game against either the New England Patriots or New York Jets, who play on Sunday.

The Ravens are 7-3 all-time on the road in the playoffs and won't be intimidated playing in Pittsburgh for a second time this season.

"We're looking forward to walking into Heinz Field with a certain swagger," Suggs said.

Suggs said that swagger comes from the leadership of Baltimore's two longtime defensive stalwarts -- Ray Lewis and Ed Reed.

"When we get on the road we get the feeling it's us against the world. We've got the whole city of Baltimore behind us, but at that moment they're not there with us," Suggs said. "It's just us guys. Us 53 men. We're just trying to get a Super Bowl ring."

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