clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

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

With no time to rationally think, one BTSC writer offers up his immediate thoughts from the Steelers effort against the jungle dwellers of Queen City.

NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

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.