Bengals Fan Rate Your Hate, Part 3: AFC North

We’re breaking out the pitchforks in the lead up to training camp. Specifically, we’re going division by division to find out which teams you, Cincinnati Bengals fans, hate the most. This will all lead up to one giant hate feast to crown a “winner” as the team Bengals fans hate most. After starting with the AFC East and then the AFC South, this time it’s the one and only AFC North. With plenty of games played during the division’s existence, there is enough bad blood and memories to go around for a lifetime.

So, which AFC North team do you hate the most?

Cleveland Browns

Since coming back into the league in 1999, the Browns have been the quintessential poster child of what not to do with a football franchise. Countless quarterbacks have cycled through the revolving door of starters since then, and liquor sales in Cleveland have skyrocketed due to relentless demand for brown paper bags. The Bengals lead the head to head series all time 48-39 and have won the last five games in a row. The Bengals also outscored the Browns 152-40 in those last five games. The Browns did thoroughly beat down the Bengals during a Thursday night game in 2014, but in recent memory that’s the only victory of value the Browns have against the Bengals. I know the Battle of Ohio is a big deal to the NFL every time these two teams play, but you almost pity Cleveland for how bad they’ve been. Almost.

Baltimore Ravens

The Cleveland Browns 1.0 Baltimore Ravens have had a decent amount of success since making the exodus from Browns country and finding a home in the harbor. With two Super Bowl trophies in their short history, the Ravens have been one of the most successful football franchises of the 21st century. That said, the all time series between these two teams is deadlocked at 21-21. Fortunately for the Who Dey faithful, the Bengals have won six of the last seven games played against Baltimore. While being an AFC North opponent, Ravens games are usually not too over the top aside from some occasional division-rival smack talk. As respectful as the rivalry may be, Baltimore’s serious success in such a short period may make them the envy of many Bengals fans, and draw the ire of plenty more.

Pittsburgh Steelers

OH BOY.

I don’t have to tell you anything you don’t already know, so instead of me giving you factual information and statistics, I’m just going to list off a few of the first things that come to my mind.

1. Kimo von Oelhoffen in the 2005 wild card game.
2. Ryan Shazier leading into Giovani Bernard with his head.
3. Joey “Jerry” Porter.
4. That stupid rag they insist on twirling above their heads.
5. THE ANNOYING SONGS THAT NEVER END.

I could honestly do an entire series of reasons to hate the Steelers, but I don’t want to live my life that way. Let’s just get to the poll. You know what to do.

Rate Your Hate Series:

Part 1: AFC East

Part 2: AFC South

Part 4: AFC West

Part 5: NFC North