Steelers vs. Browns, Week 8: Knee Jerk Reactions to the Steelers’ 33-18 victory over Cleveland

After a successful bye week and an emotional day of senseless tragedy, the Steelers needed to make a statement after tying Cleveland to start 2018, As always, I make my snap judgements as the game goes along. If you want to know how my emotions fluctuated throughout the day, 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

• I’m pleased that the organization honored the Squirrel Hill victims before the game.

Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images

• Duke Johnson Jr. is a Brown I admire. He’d make a good Steeler.
• Nice blitz by Bud Dupree.
• Third down will tell you early who this defense is.
• Yeah, I don’t love that answer.
• Love the throwback numbers, but they took a while to notice.
• Did not know, Matt Feiler was known as “the anchor”. Who gave him that name?
• Hate the play call on third down. It’ll be 10-0 soon.
• Too many penalty calls already. On both teams.
• Knew the pick was coming. Offense looks stale early.
• Chubb is a definite load.

Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

• Chickillo is oh-so-close two plays in a row.
• Steeler first quarter football continues to be abysmal.
• How is Berry still here?
• Amazing escape from Mayfield. He’s fun to watch, but not against Pittsburgh.

Quarter 2

• Hilton makes a huge difference on defense.
• Ben isn’t right early.
• I have a feeling we’re going to see a lot of Justin Hunter today.
• Ben to AB. Now that was pure beauty.
• That Hyde trade could make the Browns so much better, just because of the expanded opportunities for Chubb.
• Mike Hilton is becoming one of the most important players on the defense.
• At the same moment I was arguing with my buddy that Joe Haden is still a difference maker, he makes an exceptional pick.

Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

• Foster led the way for Conner. Good redemption.
• Nice stretch by Hunter.
• This one should be overturned.
• Are Ben and Randy Fichtner calling sneaks just to spite Todd Haley.
• JuJu just had to play defense there. He’s better than Artie.
• Like AB, JuJu looks so natural catching the ball.
• How did they spend all of those timeouts?
• Gutsy play calling, I love it,
• Ben just threw a bullet to No. 84. Could have gone terribly wrong if he didn’t. Nice execution by No. 7.

Quarter 3

• If AB doesn’t slow down, he’s going all the way.
• Bell is not the only one that can catch the ball out of the slot.
• But maybe not Switzer.
• Don’t want it to be, but that was a fumble on Ridley to me.
• That is an opportunity lost with that fumble.
• Can’t stop playing. There is too much time and too light of a lead.
• Safety. Bud was going to just crush Mayfield. Baker was anticipating the sack by dipping down.
• Shades of Barry Foster in 1990. Unacceptable to let that ball free on the free kick.
• If they lose this game, blame it on right here.
• Blatant PI by Edmunds.
• Falling apart.
• Conner isn’t giving up He’s running with heart and pride.
• Toe Tap Tony!
• That was huge. James Feakin’ Conner!

Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Quarter 4

• Boswell could be back to normal now.
• The defense has stepped up again. Tuitt seems to have arrived.
• Too bad Mayfield’s knees were down, that would have been a fun and much needed turnover for the defense.
• Good to see Watt back in the game.
• The driving rain could hamper the Browns in their comeback bid.
• Good move bringing in Samuels. No need to see Conner the rest of the game.
• Conner is amazing.
• Not happy about the Browns scoring, but they came close to my 34-20 prediction.
• Good win.

...

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 knee jerks on in the comments section.