Steelers vs. Broncos, Week 2: Knee Jerk Reactions after the Steelers 26-21 win over the Denver Broncos

Let’s get this Week 2 party started. I only wish it were December and Myron Cope was still with us. I always loved his ‘Deck the Broncos‘ version of Deck the Halls. I will say this, Heinz Field looks very odd without fans in it. I guess I will have to bring the noise all the way from my living room.

Nonetheless, a simple reminder, a knee jerk reaction is an immediate and unthinking, emotional reaction. It’s basically shooting first and apologizing later (forget that, I apologize for none of my emotion). I can safely say that’s a true definition of your’s truly and a good lot of Steelers’ Nation. Here’s my real-time (and possibly a little bit of my son Kyle’s) reactions during the Steelers’ chance at starting the 2020 season off with two straight wins.

Quarter 1

• Steelers to kick off. I like starting with the defense on the field.
• I hate giving up 20 yards on the first play.
• First third down of the game. I thought they were off the field but that was a very late flag.
• Pressure by Devin Bush on that third down to cause the incompletion. Thankfully the D gets off the field.
• Nice return by Diontae Johnson after running into his own guy. Bring out the offense.
• Diontae catches the punt but manages to fumble the handoff on the first play from scrimmage. Are you kidding me? At least he recovered it himself.
• Is anyone surprised that Randy Fichtner's offense went run, run, pass, punt on the first possession?
• The defensive line is getting blown off the ball right now. This is not looking good.
• Another big run. This defense better stiffen up.
• Got to hold on this third down.
• Watt and Dupree combined on the sack fumble recovered by the Steelers!!!!! Lock was not very secure with the football there.
• The Steelers need to turn that turnover into points.
• Kyle: "Hopefully this drive isn't the double R double P".
• Getting Ebron involved early. I like it.
• The Broncos knew we were going to run it there and James Conner still gets 12 yds.
• Big third down catch and run by JuJu. Keep that drive alive!
• James Conner touchdown!!! Turn that turnover into six.
• Lock out, headed to the locker room. Jeff Driskel in.
• Driskel made a nice completion, but he paid the price as Cam Heyward crushed him.
• The defense holds. Steelers have the ball back. Points here would be huge.
• How did the referees miss that face mask on Roethlisberger?
• That was a very ugly offensive series. And it looks like that will end the first quarter. 7-0 Steelers, but Broncos start in Steelers territory

Quarter 2

• They're picking on Edmunds. Shouldn't be a surprise there.
• Big sack by Mike Hilton followed up by a tackle for a loss by Heyward. Third and forever.
• Hilton with another big play to foil a screen.
• Gave up a field goal, how will the offense respond.
• Diontae Johnson made up for that holding penalty with a nice play on first and 16.
• Drive stalls. At least Denver starts at their own 10-yard line this time.
• Had them third and long deep in their own territory, rush four and give up the first down. Geez Louise.....help the offense out would ya!!!
• A sack on third down. Wish we would have done that on the last 3rd down.
• A flag on the return I can't believe it!!!! Didn't need it. Take a return TD off the board. Really the zebras see that and call it but miss the face mask earlier on Ben?
• Ben to Claypool, deep route for the touchdown!!!!!!!!
• Wow, turn around and Joe Haden gives up the big pass play.
• Watt with pressure, Tyson Alualu finishes off the sack.
• 58-yard field goal attempt no good. Steelers still hold a 14-3 lead and get the ball back in good field position.
• When will Fichtner ever learn that a second and 18 draw play doesn't fool anybody and leaves them with 3rd and 16.
• Nine yards on 3rd down is great, except they needed 16.
• Joe Haden with a pick off the tipped pass. Steelers in business under 2 minutes to play in the first half.
• Third and one at the two yard line and they lose a yard. A touchdown could have been huge here, instead Boswell trots out. 17-3 Steelers.
• WATT!!!!
• 17-3 good guys at the half. Steelers receive the second half kick off.

Quarter 3

• Great return by Ray-Ray McCloud. Good starting field position.
• After an initial first down, offense loses yardage on the next two plays.
• Ben gets all day to throw on third down, and then throws a pick. The turnover streak continues.
• Is this an instant replay? Third and eight the Steelers rush four and give up a first down.
• Give up another third down completion. Go ahead and tack on a horse collar tackle. Steelers are imploding.
• Lucky to hold them to three there. 17 to 6 Steelers.
• A drop on first down, 2-yard pass on second down, leaves third and 8.
• A neutral zone infraction and a quick pass to Samuels complete for the first down.
• A couple more completions and now Ben is looking to be in a rhythm.
• Third and two pass was a telegraphed play, Denver had it snuffed out easily.
• Go for it on 4th down. That play didn't look pretty, couldn't tell if Ebron was held like he was claiming. Turnover on downs.
• And now the defense is letting them drive the ball. I am feeling a little less confident right now.
• Stupid penalty by Hilton there.
• Very next play give up a touchdown. I don't know if the Steelers can win this game or not.
• Two-point conversion good. Devin Bush cannot cover Noah Fant. If that issue isn't fixed, the Steelers will lose.
• Steelers 17 Broncos 14. End of three.

Quarter 4

• Somebody get me some Tums or something. I am really nervous about this one.
• Steelers have got to stop throwing passes five yards behind the line iof scrimmage. You cannot gain enough yards that way.
• Lucky play there quick reaction by JuJu.
• Third down and nine, let's throw it for seven yards.
• Thank God JuJu converts that forth down.
• Touchdown Diontae Johnson. Boy did they need that one.
• Defense did its job there. Held them deep. The offense will get the ball back in decent field position.
• Dropped the punt snap, got a safety and the Steelers get the ball back. Steelers 26 Broncos 14.
• Offense gets the ball back on the Broncos side of midfield.
• Handed off to Benny Snell and he fumbles it. Broncos recover in decent field position.
• Every time I think the Steelers have a chance to put it away, somebody messes it up.
• Get them with first and 20, and Joe Haden gives up 19 yards.
• There's another flag for pass interference. Devin Bush is not having a good day.
• Third down and seven. Soft zone. Give up 15 yards.
• Steelers give up a touchdown on a pass to the RB. The Steelers just refuse to put this game away.
• Another ball batted down at the line of scrimmage. Ben has had several of those today.
• Diontae Johnson drops the third down pass.
• Now is the time for the defense. If they don't step up here this could turn into a loss.
• 10 yard run on first down. As dominant is the defense looked last week they are not looking anything like it this week.
• Penalties are killing the secondary.
• Still picking on Devin Bush.
• Sack by Terrell Edmunds on the blitz on the 4th down play! Steelers take over.
• Big run by James Conner there. That should put the nail in the coffin.
• I love victory formation when the Steelers are the ones in the victory formation. Three, two, one, win! That wasn't pretty, but it still goes into the W column.

Once again, I just fired off what was going through my head at the time. All reactions were in real time. Basically, it is the equivalent of watching the game with me, you just don’t have to go to another room because I am screaming at the television. Now time process it, some quick analyzing for the Scho Bro Show, and then put it behind me as we move toward Week 3. Make sure you get your voice heard in the comments below.