In the last meeting, Ravens cornerback Frank Walker spat in the face of punter Mitch Berger, according to Berger. Walker explained that it was an accident, calling it a "slobber moment."
Said Ward after Sunday's win over the Chargers: "It's not going to be a street fight. It's going to be a war."
This is one topic on which Ward and Scott - two of the biggest adversaries - both agree.
"It's two teams that try to impose their will on each other," Scott said. "Whenever you have two teams that are evenly matched, both sides are going to pay the price on the body. I look at it like [Miguel] Cotto and [Antonio] Margarito. Nobody is running or ducking or hiding from each other. We're going to stand in the middle of the ring, and we'll see who comes out on top."
Altercations, late hits and personal fouls have been a running theme in this rivalry.
Ravens linebacker Jarret Johnson made a costly mistake in the first meeting with a late hit on Ward. That personal foul jump-started the Steelers' rally.
In a series in which tempers can flare, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said his team won't keep its emotions "in check."
"But our emotions are going to be focused and directed at what needs to be done to win a football game," Harbaugh said. "Our guys are smart and disciplined. I think they'll be that way on Sunday."
This third meeting wasn't a surprise for the Ravens or the Steelers. The Ravens not only wanted another shot at the Steelers, but some players also predicted it after the second meeting.
"Some teams you know when you face them once or twice there is the possibility you'll have the opportunity to play them again, and the Steelers are one of those teams," wide receiver Derrick Mason said. "We just had to be patient, and our opportunity is here. We just have to take advantage of it."
With two road wins already in this season's playoffs, the sixth-seeded Ravens are not backing down from the challenge.
"You want to play the best, and I think they are the best right now," Scott said. "You want to test yourself. We look forward to it."
