OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens know the routine when they play in Pittsburgh, from Steelers fans throwing stuff at the team bus to the awkward dinners the night before the game.

"Folks [are] just looking at us like, 'Man, I hope you just bomb it tomorrow,'" wide receiver Torrey Smith said. "It’s a serious environment. That’s why you’re here, to play a team like Pittsburgh up there, a crowd that hates you, really a city that truly hates you."

In what has become one of the top rivalries in the NFL, Ravens players thrive on being hated in Pittsburgh, and the results back that up. Since 2010, the Ravens are 3-1 at Heinz Field (.750), and 14-18 (.435) everywhere else on the road.

The Ravens won three straight regular-season games at Heinz (2010, '11 and '12), and they nearly won their fourth in a row there last season. Joe Flacco's 1-yard touchdown throw to Dallas Clark tied the game at 16 with 1:58 remaining. But Shaun Suisham's 42-yard field goal -- which was set up by Michael Huff failing to contain Emmanuel Sanders on a 44-yard kickoff return -- won the game as time expired.

"I love it because they put so much energy into hating you," said linebacker Terrell Suggs, who is known to yell back at fans. "You obviously are doing something [right], so it’s kind of flattering. I take it as a sign of respect.”

There are 17 players on the Ravens' 53-man roster who have never been a part of this rivalry for a game in Pittsburgh. Smith's advice, especially to the younger players, is that you can't let the emotions surrounding this game affect you.

"At the end of the day when you get on the field, it’s football," Smith said. "It’s a great, disciplined, physical football team. And we know we have to play physical ball to go out there and beat them. It’s going to be tough. And they’re hot right now, too.”