Steelers vs. Bengals, Week 6: Knee Jerk Reactions to Steelers’ 28-21 win in Cincinnati

As Week Five was exhilarating and fostered hope of a turnaround for the Steelers in 2018, I drank the Kool-Aid and finally picked the Steelers. But it is the Bengals, and they still scare me. So I should just shut my trap and react as the game develops. If you want to know how my emotions fluctuated throughout the evening, keep on reading.

Nonetheless, a simple reminder, a knee jerk reaction is an immediate and unthinking, emotional reaction. It’s basically shooting first and apologizing later. I can safely say that’s a true definition of your’s truly and a good lot of Steeler Nation. Here’s my real-time reactions during the Steelers’ most recent quest for redemption.

Quarter 1

• Nice to see Ryan Shazier in the defensive pregame huddle.

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• I’m not a fan of receiving the kick when winning the coin flip.
• The offense must be sponsored by McDonald’s. If Vance is going to catch three balls every drive, they could put the golden arch on his name plate...I wouldn’t care.

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• That shove by Burfict really could have been called. They’re starting early.
• JuJu doesn’t usually miss those catches. That was on him. Nice throw by a Ben.
• Dré Kirkpatrick is a punk. This is going to get ugly.
• AJ Green missed one too. He still scares me. Don’t expect that too much.
• I’m not accustomed to a three-and-out on the first drive. That’s a habit that I’d like to see get started.
• The Orange Stormtrooper is not very imaginative. If that guy went to prom, I’dbe stunned.
• Sometimes I wish Ben would just take off more.
• The Cincy defense looks fired up. They are going to be tough to penetrate.
• You could here the Boo-Berrys all the way from Pittsburgh after that 36-yard dud.
• It’s inexcusable to give a team that good of field position.
• Haden is getting physical with No. 18, but he’s still giving him chances.
• That dropped pick but Joe will haunt the Steelers.
• Losing Watt would be bad.
• Just saw it on that Boyd TD.
• Huge run by James Conner. If he gets going, the whole unit will.
• X-Man sighting. Two weeks running.

Quarter 2

• Nice physicality by both the line and Conner on the TD.
• Terrible camera work on that pass to Mixon
• Mixon is benefiting from the attention being paid to the receivers.
• It looked at first like Hilton was getting beaten, but Mike broke up that pass to Boyd on third down very nicely.
• Does Ben want to get picked? I haven’t seen this many tips since my table waiting days.
• I admire the gumption, but Mike Tomlin never wins spot challenges. But it’s only a time out.
• 65 yard punt? Give credit where it’s due. Nice punt.
• There’s something majestic and polite about Javon Hargrave’s “reeling in” sack celebration.
• These drops are giving Pittsburgh life.
• Vance McDonald may be one if the most physical YAC receiver ever to don a Steeler uni.
• AB is getting mauled by Kirkpatrick. Love to see him get a big score.
• That could be a TD by JuJu. I think it won’t get overturned. But either way, it was gorgeous.

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• Combat catch by JuJu. Was almost a pick.
• CBS calling for a QB sneak. I think it’s got to be Conner time.
• This two-minute defense is equivalent of gifting points.
• Need to buckle down and hold them to three.
• That drive was disgusting. No excuse to let them waltz down the field.
• Pitt or not, I don’t like Tyler Boyd anymore. He’s a fantastic receiver though.

Quarter 3

• They always have trouble with Alex Ericson.
• That’s why I’m not a fan of deferring the kick to the second half.
• Bostic with the big break-up.
• Watt bit on the hard count, but nice redemption on the third down stop.
• That play to Grimble on third down was pretty sweet.
• AB could be hurt.
• AB is not happy about coming out.
• Good coverage by Kirkpatrick. That was a sure score.
• Burfict is headhunting. Why do announcers defend this thug?
• Guess AB is fine.
• Connor is special.

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• Why not a challenge on that play? That is going to cost them.
• That was holding. JJ would have pulled that in.
• We are all going to rue not challenging.
• Don’t kick it to Ericson.
• On second thought, Nix cracked him. I’m a huge Rosie fan.
• Great combat running by Conner.
• Two long snapper penalties. Kameron Canaday needs to be anonymous.
• That broken play could have been a killer. Steelers are lucky that Corey Glenn got called for the hold

Quarter 4

• Giving way to much cushion to these receivers,
• Getting nervous.
• Tackle by Tuitt. Kind of forgot he was still on the team. I wish I was joking.
• Right when I rip on him, he gets a sack. Nice job, Stephon.
• That tip by Haden was scary, but No. 18 was out of bounds. Wouldn’t have been disastrous. I still yelped though.
• A TD would be nice here. But won’t happen. They seem to rely on the drama. It’s almost like the Steelers have a deal with local cardiologists.
• Huge run on first down by Conner was courtesy of Pouncey and DeCastro.
• AB came up ABsolutely huge.

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• Brown wide open on the pass to James.
• JuJu huge awareness. Wanted the TD though.
• Come on defense. It’s all on the line here.
• Keep thinking about the non-challenge. That could bite us.
• Scared of a flag there. Just could coverage by Joe.
• Yep. Artie Burns can’t give you a full game.
• VinnyVidiVici on the downfield pass coverage.
• Sutton isn’t much better.
• Ugggh! At least there’s time on the clock.
• Time to find out what you’re made of. A little dramatic, but this is the season.
• If they are who we want them to be, Boswell nails one at the gun. But it isn’t going to be easy.
• Wasted time there.
• Definitely a hold.
• I want to adopt JuJu.
• Wow! My celebration just scared my dogs and made my daughter laugh and label me as “wierd”.
• I think I hurt my back and pulled a hammy on the “In yo face! in yo face!” portion of my celebration.
• Dont forget Erickson.
• Que the escalator evacuation...aka the ESCA-LOSER.

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So...now as I replay the game more and more in my head, my perceptions and maybe my prescriptions will alter. But for now, you just got a glimpse of the first thoughts that popped in my mind while I was watching this game. Feel free to get your commentus maximus on in the section below.