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Knee jerk reactions after the Steelers Week 17 win over Cleveland

With no time to rationally think, one BTSC writer offers up his immediate thoughts from the Steelers matchup against the Browns.

NFL: Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers Philip G. Pavely-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 guys dressed as Steelers and the Browns play each other because somebody bought a ticket, 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.

First Quarter

  • Matt Feiler is pulling and making blocks subbing for DeCastro, but Rosie Nix is blowing out holes.
  • Stevan Ridley looks like he really wants to break one.
  • That touchdown was all DHB. He turned a five-to-seven yard loss or a possible turnover into a gorgeous TD run.
  • Matakevich and the Steeler defense look fired up. Four more sacks and they break the 1994 team record of 55.
  • There's the Landry we all know so well.
  • Here's what I love about Boswell, he wasn't celebrating the field goal. He was cheering for the neutral-zone infraction.
  • Even though they took points off of the board, that goal line stand by Cleveland is fine. Let's get a safety.

Second Quarter

  • I think that was a blocked punt by Dirty Red. He loves playing the Browns.
  • Adam Archueta is wrong. Matakevich is not a Pro Bowler. You can make a case that he should be.
  • Nice TD from Jones to JuJu. It may be the opponent's ineptitude, but Landry looks better than I've ever seen him.
  • JuJu didn't get flagged for the snowball? I'm kind of surprised.
  • I disagree with the Archuleta again. That long pass play to Gordon was more on Mitchell than Haden. He signaled to him to pick up No. 12.
  • I'll applaud Duke Johnson every time he touches the ball. Glad he was the Brown that scored.
  • That face mask by Schobert looked more to me like the five-yard variety than the fifteen. But I'll accept it.
  • Finney is too valuable to lose. Looks like Chris Hubbard is going to get the nod.
  • First snap from Hubbard was high. Every player matters.
  • Good for Ridley. Glad to see him score.
  • Defense just got plum beat on that play. It's becoming more apparent that the safeties or a major liability for this team. Well, Mitchell at least. I think safety is a high priority on draft day.
  • Not a fumble. Unless the Patriots are the opponent.
  • They really need to shut Cleveland down here. Can't let them get confident and stay in this.
  • Great catch by JuJu. He caught that ball with a dude draped all over them.
  • That turnover late in the half is all on Big Al.
  • Vince with number four. I want them to break that record.

Third Quarter

  • They are letting this team gain momentum. They are most definitely in the danger zone.
  • Mass confusion by the secondary. This won't fly in the playoffs.
  • JuJu...No words.
  • Great block by Fitz Tussaint to make that TD happen.
  • L.T. Walton impresses me. Gotta love those late rounders from Central Michigan.
  • L.J. Fort just crushed Kizer to tie the sack record.
  • Oh Hilton!
  • I feel bad for Landry Jones with these bad snaps. Actually I feel bad for Hubbard as well.

Fourth Quarter

  • Alualu with the record 56th sack.
  • I'm glad to see the Browns turnover, but I wish it was by anybody other than Duke Johnson. His tributes to Ryan Shazier are classy.
  • Gay actually threw a haymaker at that ball.
  • JuJu and Martavis look great with more responsibilities. Imagine when they are all together again.
  • The Steelers third down defense is awful today.
  • The reason the Steeler defensive backs aren't receivers...they can't catch.
  • As I wrote that, Sean Davis did. Great assist by Artie Burns for plastering Kizer.
  • They need to start taking it under center.
  • Gonna blow it. Don't care if it's a meaningless game.
  • How does Coleman drop that ball? Good thing because I would have been livid because that was a sack which was averted because of a major hold by No. 70.

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