The Pittsburgh Steelers actually have a reputation as one of the best-run franchises in the NFL – actually. Because right now, things are going haywire for the Steelers. Both on and off the field.

Munich/Pittsburgh – The mood in Pittsburgh is at rock bottom. The Steelers, next to the New England Patriots the most successful AFC team of the past two decades, are currently last in the AFC North, which is actually dominated by Pittsburgh.

Yet the Steelers, so proud, are swinging from one curious performance to the next. While they were saved by a questionable taunting call on their third try against the Chicago Bears in week nine, they suffered an embarrassing 16:16 loss to the Detroit Lions in week ten.

A spectacular 37:41 at the Los Angeles Chargers was followed by a 10:41 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. After the bye week in week seven, the Steelers stand at a 2-2-1 record with wins over dysfunctional Cleveland Browns (15-10) and the very Bears.

Mike Tomlin is pissed: “Shut up and deliver “

Head coach Mike Tomlin is correspondingly frustrated. “We can’t go on like this and expect it to turn out differently on its own,” the Steelers’ head coach said at a media roundtable on Tuesday.

He also announced changes. What those are, however, he left open. “We’ll see on Sunday then, won’t we? It won’t be anything dramatic but hopefully with significant success,” the 49-year-old said.

“It’s now time to shut up and deliver,” Tomlin also struck a harsh tone, “What we’re talking about here has no meaning. What matters is what we show on the turf on Sunday.” In Week 13, the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Baltimore Ravens in an important divisional duel.

Roethlisberger on duty

One of the announced changes could involve quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. The 39-year-old is presumably playing the final season of his career and therefore rarely practices regularly.

“Some need physical training, some need mental training and some just need to recover,” but Tomlin avoided naming names. Roethlisberger usually doesn’t train at all on Wednesdays, only on a limited basis on Thursdays and only fully in the final training session on Fridays.

“Big Ben” had a horrible day in week twelve, against the Bengals he threw two interceptions, one of which was a pick six. All those yards (263) and the touchdown came when the game had long been decided.

Music at practice? “He plays receiver, I do the practice. “

In his mini-round-robin, Tomlin also addressed his receiver Chase Claypool. He had suggested the day before that a little music during practice would make it more fun. “It makes it more fun and also faster,” the wide receiver said.

This suggestion did not meet with much approval from his coach. “Claypool plays wide receiver and I let him do that. That’s what I decide how we approach practice for,” Tomlin said, somewhat annoyed.

You get the feeling that not everyone at the tradition-rich franchise understands the gravity of the situation yet. With a record of 5-5-1, the Pittsburgh Steelers are at the bottom of the AFC North. If they lose to the Baltimore Ravens, the division title is virtually gone.

Since Mike Tomlin took over as head coach in Pennsylvania, the Steelers have never had more losses than wins in a season.

He will do everything he can to keep it that way.