Steelers vs. Bills, Week 15: Knee-Jerk Reactions to the Steelers 17-10 loss to the Bills

The Steelers are back in the national spotlight, after securing a non-losing season last week in Arizona. Can they keep momentum going and get even closer to a playoff spot? The Bills will be a very tough opponent with a high-caliber defense. But you still have an unpolished quarterback. Will the magic of the Duck Dynasty continue or is the clock going to strike midnight on this Cinderella story?

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 real-time reactions during the Steelers’ quest to extend their record to 9-5 after starting off the season so poorly. Filling in for BAD this week will be Tony Defeo.

Quarter 1

• Carrie Underwood, what a way to start a game (I'm single, so those kinds of things move the needle for me).
• Heinz Field is rocking pre-game. De facto home playoff game, unless they get the fifth seed and host AFC title game.
• Steelers win toss, defer to second half.
• Defense on the field first. I like that.
• Dangerous pass by Josh Allen to start game. But gets Buffalo out from its own 10.
• Big swat by Watt!
• The neutral zone infraction is a scam. Why don't guys have a chance to get back?
• Big open field tackle by Mark Barron on third and five.
• Steelers begin first possession from their own 16.
• If the Steelers score a touchdown on their first offensive possession, I will do 7 Burpees.
• James Conner breaks off nice run. Welcome back.
• Great catch by Diontae Johnson to pick up first on third and eight.
• Dropped by Tevin Jones.
• Illegal motion by Devlin Hodges who went in motion in wildcat.
• Not a great throw by Duck. Intercepted. Kind of as good as a punt. Bills first and 10 at own 25.
• Big stop by the defense after Duck duck.
• Ben Roethlisberger kind of looks like Matt Patricia with beard and understandable weight gain.
• Not sure what's worse, Johnny Horton dropping a pass or catching one and losing yardage.
• Steelers go three and out, complete two straight passes for negative yards.
• Horrible punt by Jordan Berry, travels just 22 yards.
• Watt, Alualu, Williams? They all just sacked Allen.
• Big conversion by Bills on fourth and six.
• Steelers first two drives end in disaster. Bills begin the second quarter with a first and 10 from Pittsburgh 15.

Quarter 2

• Bills take advantage of poor punt. Drive 40 yards and score on Allen touchdown. Easy.
• Bills 6-0 when they score first.
• Steelers offense needs to show it can move the ball tonight.
• That's the way to answer. Washington with huge gain!
• Kerrith Whyte just has a burst.
• Offense seems to be taking one step forward and one step back so far.
• Boz with 49-yard field goal. He's back to his old self. 7-3, Bills.
• Bills offense looks good so far. Moving the ball well.
• Huge knock down of an Allen pass by Cam Heyward on third and eight.
• Let's see if this Steelers offense can sustain a drive.
• Quick three and out. Steelers offense just doesn't look capable against great Bills defense.
• Defense might need a pick/scoop and score.
• Devin Bush with the huge tackle to set up third and long.
• Dupree offsides on big sack.
• Costly.
• Left tackle false start. Looked like he also moved early on third down conversion.
• Big pick by Steven Nelson! Steelers set up shop at Bills. 20.
• Steelers catch huge break on phantom facemask call on Terrell and Trey's brother. First down at the 10 at the two-minute warning. Steelers get second half kickoff. A touchdown here would be huge.
• Wow. Costly fumble by Johnson in wildcat. Can't make those mistakes.
• Golden opportunity blown big time. Circle that fumble by Johnson. Steelers relying on too much inexperience on offense.
• To come away with no points is just inexcusable.
• Halftime, Bills 7, Steelers 3. They really blew a big opportunity. That may have been my least favorite play of the year.
• That’s the half.

Quarter 3

• Huge catch and run by Johnson to start second half. He fumbled. Thankfully, Jones was there for recovery.
• Zach Gentry with big first- down!
• Conner big run down to the 10!
• We've been here before. Let's see.
• Touchdown! Way to go, Conner on the touchdown on the catch out of the backfield. Huge after fumble at the end of the half. 10-7, Steelers.
• Complete to John Brown for 19 on third and 10.
• Could be a huge early timeout by Bills. Circled.
• Huge strip by T.J. Watt! Recovered by Mike Hilton.
• If I had a vote, Watt would get mine for DPOY.
• Duck has to be more aware. Fumble. Steelers recover.
• Hodges sacked on third and nine. Not one of Matt Feiler's best moments. Offense doesn't take advantage of turnover.
• Another below the line punt by Berry.
• Cam having a great year.
• Like I said, Cam.
• Cam, Cam, Cam, forces incomplete pass on third and 13.
• That was Cam's series. Heyward's home.
• Hodges with the sneak on third and short. Todd Haley would be impressed.
• Intercepted by Tre White. Bills set up shop at the Pittsburgh 20 Bad throw by Duck.
• Too many turnovers.
• Buffalo, third and two, trailing 10-7, as we head to the fourth.
• End of three.

Quarter 4

• That's my cornerback. Joe Haden!
• Third and goal from the 15. It looked like Frank Gore was going to pass, but the defense said, nope.
• T.J. Watt with the tackle for loss.
• Bills tie the game on field goal. Looks like Hodges may have to actually add to his story with a winning drive. Otherwise, people aren't going to have nice things to say about him. Let's see.
• When you see Tevin Jones going in motion, it gives you perspective.
• Another punt. Defense might have to pull this out with a big turnover. Although, it's already done so much.
• During the commerical break, let me just say that we haven't seen a Minkah in a while.
• They are playing Renegade.
• John Brown 40 yard catch to the Steelers 30.
• Damn, Bills fumble but recover.
• Tyler Kroft with the touchdown. Like I said, Duck may have to win one. 17-10, Bills with 7:55 to go. You can only ask so much of the defense.
• If Duck is a future legend, I guess that starts now.
• Uninspired three and out. Reality might be coming home to roost.
• Steelers force punt and take over at the 19 with 5:13. Could be last, best chance.
• Third and one. Let's see if that kind of thing remains a struggle.
• Wow! 32 yard connection to Washington.
• Second drop by Jones. Perspective.
• Third and 20.
• Fourth and seven at the two-minute warning. What to do? Kick a field goal or go for it?
• Going for it.
• Bills call timeout. Suspense is killing me.
• What is Duck? He might just be an undrafted free agent. Pick in the end zone. Third pick of the game.
• Steelers can stop the clock twice. Will likely have seconds left.
• Big holding call on third down against Bills. Stops clock with 1:40.
• Steelers get ball at 43 with 1:31. Let's see....
• Big facemask on Conner. First and 10 at Buffalo 37.
• Big call on Big Al.
• Intense.
• Fourth pick by Hodges ends it for the Steelers.
• That’s the game. Final score: Bills 17, Steelers 10.
• Steelers fall to 8-6. Still control their own destiny and can get into playoffs by winning final two games on the road.

Once again, I just shot first and I’ll apologize later. All reactions were in real time. Basically, it is the equivalent of watching me do the highlights if I hadn’t been bypassed by the major networks. Now time to watch it again and see what really happened. Make sure you get your voice heard in the comments below.