The Steelers are tired of being an NFL punchline. Offensive tackle Broderick Jones clarified one thing for Mike Tomlin‘s roster. The team’s playoff drought stops now. He’s calling on his teammates to step up.

Jones isn’t pulling punches. Speaking to the Steelers’ media, he bluntly pointed to accountability. “Got to put it on us as players,” he said when asked about the team’s slow starts. “And have that chip on our shoulder to come out and just want to do it.” For Jones, it’s not about history. It’s about making sure the Ravens don’t get to write the Steelers’ next chapter.

The Steelers have managed to get to the playoffs after losing four straight games. That streak was capped by a 19-17 against the Bengals. And it doesn’t sit well with Jones. He insists the team must stay united, focusing on all 11 players syncing up on every play. And the stakes couldn’t be higher for Mike Tomlin, as he carries the weight of five postseason losses in a row.

Meanwhile, Tomlin refuses to pass the blame to his team. “My story, not this collective’s story,” he said about the playoff drought. “Many of these guys involved do not tote those bags… that’s not something I’m going to project on the collective.”

When asked about the coach’s comments, Jones reiterated his point about accountability. “It’s definitely on all of us. It’s not just one single person. At the end of the day, we’re a team.” However, recent performances haven’t inspired much hope.

The Steelers haven’t scored more than 17 points in their last four games and have allowed at least 27 in three. That kind of imbalance leaves no room for mistakes against Baltimore. Jones knows the Ravens are no easy target. But his confidence in the Steelers’ ability to “defy the odds” keeps the locker room focused.

Broderick Jones takes aims at the Ravens

For Jones, facing the Ravens isn’t just another game. It’s personal. “I still got a bad taste in my mouth from last game,” he admitted. The Steelers faced a blowout 34-17 loss in their last trip to Baltimore. But Jones sees this rematch as a shot at redemption. Meanwhile, the Ravens come in riding high with a four-game winning streak.

Led by Lamar Jackson, Baltimore has found consistency the Steelers can only envy. Still, Jones sees the matchup as an opportunity. “I’m glad we get to play them again. I just want to go out there and do what I can [to] help my team win,” he said. And Mike Tomlin echoes this sentiment, emphasizing preparation and execution.

“It’s about this week,” he said. “We’re playing someone that we’re highly familiar with.” He focuses on restoring the team’s identity and proving they belong in the postseason. Meanwhile, Jones’s challenge to his teammates has set the tone for the locker room. Now, it’s on the team to rise to the occasion.

The underdog label fits. But for Pittsburgh, this is more than an uphill battle. Steelers Nation knows this rivalry well, and the stakes have never been higher. If Pittsburgh wants to erase years of playoff disappointment, this game against the Ravens is where it starts.