Knee jerk reactions from the Steelers’ Week 16 win over the Texans

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 Texans renew acquaintances, 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

• Vance McDonald could be Jason Witten if he could stay healthy.
• They look relaxed and in control early on.
• I would have loved to have seen J.J. Watt play in this game.
• Love Mrs. Watt's sweatshirt.

2nd Quarter

• Feeling comfortable, but this run defense won't survive a team like Jacksonville.
• Le'Veon needs to hold on to balls.
• Martavis Bryant is playing like a WR1.
• Where is Deandre Hopkins?
• Wow. That's why Haden is so crucial to the Steelers.

3rd and 4th Quarter

• Mike Hilton is a gift that keeps on giving. That third sack may be a record.
• Vince Williams needs to be okay. That would be a big loss.
• Thought that was a terrible pass by Ben, but Eli was blatantly held.
• Rogers is going to break one soon. He looks great returning punts.
• We might see Braxton Miller or Bill O'Brien at quarterback soon.
• Almost the fourth quarter, need to score here and bring in Landry Jones and Stevan Ridley.
• Didn't really think that was a TD by Bell, but on further review...good call.
• That was a snow ball fight?
• Amazing catch by Hopkins.
• Why are Bell and Ben still in?
• Gotta love JuJu. Gets better every week.
• And now he scores.
• That celebration was pretty funny.
• Ridley looks pretty good as a backup.
• For once, a Steelers game that doesn’t give me cardiac arrest

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