Knee jerk reactions from the Steelers Week 13 near disaster in Cincinnati

A knee jerk reaction is common for most people, especially sports fans. Of course, I like to shoot first and apologize later. In this series, I like to record my immediate emotional reaction. I have those often. I know you in Steeler Nation do too. After we have a chance to review things, we tend to alter our mindset. While watching the Steelers and the Bengals on MNF, I recorded my initial thoughts in real time with no time to reconsider them. Take these in. As always, I welcome you to weigh in.

1st Quarter

• Tone's toe looks okay.
• Not a great start with Rosie Nix offside. Is Burfict in his head?
• Ugh. Interception. This could be Jacksonville all over.
• Don't agree with the penalty solely on Bell. Completely instigated by Burfict.
• What is Gruden smoking? Burfict instigated. That isn't "just walking away".
• Speechless. Outcome doesn't really matter now. Praying for Shazier.
• Vince Williams’ tears sum it all up perfectly.
• A.J. Green just slapped Coty Sensabaugh out of the way. How is that still a TD?

2cd Quarter

• Their heads are out of this game completely. I can't fault that.
• Gruden kills me. Schuster-Smith? This is why I'm a Collinsworth guy.
• Dalton looks phenomenal.
• I love camera shots on Marvin Lewis. He always looks constipated.
• Burns has upped his game. Sensabaugh has not.
• Great field goal drive to end the half.

3rd Quarter

• A Cam Sutton sighting? This is his chance to shine.
• If Artie was a little bit closer. It could have been six the other way.
• Defense came out fired up. This is a key drive. A TD gets them back in the game.
• AB could have really changed the game holding onto the ball there. I thought it was closer to a catch than not. But you can't call it.
• Wow! Scratch the last comment. Le’Veon Bell with an amazing TD. Don't think I've ever seen a defense stop like that.
• I'm a WWE geek. Funny celebration.
• Enthused by the score. But still in a fog. Hard to enjoy this game. Thinking about Shazier.
• Oh no! Can't lose Dirty Red too.
• Holding call is huge. But doesn't excuse the secondary.
• How weak was that holding call? Kind of looked like one to me. Not egregious, but still a hold.

4th Quarter

• Sutton is struggling.
• Gay needs to take over. He's had pick-sixes in Cincy before. Good time to get the record.
• Great return by Bryant. Horrendous call on the hold on Wilcox. But at least it looks like the team has a kick returner now.
• Eli Rogers is a liability at this point.
• Don't have a problem with the challenge. A.J. Green thought it was a catch.
• Who is Randall Gay?
• Bud Dupree stopped too on a potential sack. What is up?
• Great guts on fourth down call.
• AB can't drop balls like that.
• Wow! That was a tackle on JuJu. This is ridiculous.
• Third and 23. This could be the window.
• Rogers scares me on punt returns.
• JuJu's penalty was warranted. But que the Cincinnati fans who think their players are persecuted angels.
• JuJu could be suspended for that play.
• This game can't afford overtime. This game is ugly. Someone might die.
• Bud came up big there.
• What a comeback

As always, it is now time to rewatch highlights and pen my apologies. Thanks for indulging this jerk's patella ponderings.