Steelers vs. Broncos, Week 5: Knee Jerk Reactions to the Steelers 27-19 win over the Broncos

Knee-jerk Reactions are immediate responses to a situation without taking the time to analyze the situation. That’s something as sports fans that we typically do. Especially if you are a full blood Yinzer, or even just a part Yinzer, who am I fooling it’s more like if you are a Steeler fan in general. As is the custom, I compile my knee-jerk thoughts and publish them immediately after each Steelers game (my son Kyle might have a few things to say as well). It’s my version of running my mouth first and apologizing later. So with that being said, I’m going to employ that philosophy here during Week 5 of the 2021 NFL Season. Let’s get this going, HERE......WE......GO!!!

1st Quarter

• A gorgeous 74 degree game. I wish I was there. Wait a minute... I am! Therefore, I must hand the ball off to the originator of Knee Jerk, Bryan Anthony Davis.
• Thanks, Big Bro! Glad to be back for a week.
• Good Gravy! It seems like every week this team opens the game on offense. Not a big fan of that.
• Nice return by Ray-Ray. But what’s this, a flag? Of course it is.
• No. 22 running strong to start this game.
• Man! If Chase Claypool stays in bounds. He’s gone like Julia Roberts in Runaway Bride. I wish my starter wife saw that movie.
• Bennie Snell needs cut now. Dropping a pass is unforgiveable when you haven’t done anything positive all season.
• I hate going for it all on 3rd and short. It rarely works. But it did there. That was absolutely gorgeous there. 7-0 Men of Steel.
• That was actually pretty good coverage by Kyle Fuller at first. But Diontae Johnson got great separation there.
• Ben loves Diontae Johnson and the fans should too. To No. 7’s, DJ18 is kind of becoming his No. 84.

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• The crowd made a difference there for the delay of game. This needs to be a “get right” game for Steeler Nation too.
• With this series, you kind of get the feeling that the defense is getting real tired of hearing how amazing that the Denver defense is.
• This second drive is huge for the Steelers. points here and this offense can work on the running game. Dictate!
• BR=BR. Call Ben Roethlisberger “Betsy Ross”. Because he just thread that needle.
• Mike Purcell made a huge play on that deflected pass and would have made another if it wasn’t for the big stick by Ray Ray.
• Did they work on third down conversions all week? That’s what I’m talkin’ bout.
• Chuks with a false start. He disappoints me like I used to disappoint my parents by bringing home Ds on my report card.
• This second possession needs to end in six points. Not for the sake of this game, but to establish a run game. It’s everything that we’ve said that we need to see.
• I like Kalen Ballage better than Harris, but that run is a testament to how good Najee is.
• Uggh! You gotta protect your quarterback.
• No. 7 is going to take blame there, but
• Ben looks hurt. He’s grabbing his ribs. But then again, he turned the ball over. It’s kind of his M.O. to grimace and highlight pain after a fumble or interception.
• A tackle behind the line of scrimmage just show’s how amazing Trent Jordan Watt is.
• Play action works, see? Nice battling by Zach Gentry. Misters 3rd and 5th getting busy today.
• End of Quarter. Steelers 7, Broncos 3.

2nd Quarter

• Najee is a battler. I think the first 100-yard game could come if they can maintain the lead.
• That 21-yard gain helps. Wait for flags, though, What? None? Color me shocked.
• The backups aren’t getting it done, running or catching. Unfortunately, It’s Najee or nothing.
• Ben not on target there. Bahhhhhhh!
• Boz to the rescue. 10-3 Steelers.
• Big dropped pass by the birthday boy, Courtland Sutton. I love how Terrell Edmunds celebrates after he got beat on the play. You do you, Fe’Derius.
• Decent punt return by Denver. Next to Princess Diana and For Hire, Diontae is my favorite Spencer. Love me some Diontae Spencer. Never should have let that dude go.
• Just because it worked on 3rd and 1 last time, doesn’t mean you have to do it every time.
• Defense is swarming. Nice. Minkah is becoming another heart of the defense. No. 39 is a perennial.
• Ouch! That’s why everybody loved Javonte Williams in the draft. 49 yards.
• Somebody else other than the Steelers called for a dumb penalty other than the black and gold is a shocker.
• Devin Bush Jr.!!!!!!! Denver not loving that draft day trade at this particular juncture.
• Going from the one and then losing 17 yards on consecutive plays is ridiculous.
• Give James Pierre a hug for saving the touchdown on the Javonte Williams run. Holding them to a field goal is huge. Steelers 10, Yonkos 6.
• JuJu just got walloped. I might be jumping the gun here, but he’s going to miss some time.
• Chuks. I’m so done with that guy! Done, I tell you. D-O-N-E!!!!!!!
• Ben almost gave up a long pick-six there. He’s gotta clean that up.
• Third down. C’mon. Missed opportunities like crazy.
• That might be a gift flag on Kyle Fuller. No, good call. I’m surprised that the officials called that.
• Najee!!!!! I love that cool customer. Steelers 17, Broncos 6.

Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images

• Just gave up two plays worth a chunk of yards. They are going to let them roll on down the field and score.
• But at least they tackled. Way to hold on, James Pierre.
• Arthur Maulet is quietly becoming a very important part of this defense. Great signing that No. 35 was. Two big plays in a row.
• Teddy B. looks jittery. The defense is in his melon.
• Garrett Bolles got penalized again. I’ve got a buddy that’s a Broncos Backer, he can’t stand that cat.
• Forced a punt. I’m glad I spoke too soon.
• Big Ben with two timeouts and 1:34. Let’s Gooooooooooo! Could put away the game with a touchdown here.
• C’mon Kendrick. Stay at home. But the broadcast crew kind of stuck up for him there on the ineligible-man-down-field call. So, I’ll let the rookie play the Nell Carter card... and that’s, Gimme a Break.
• That run by Ballage, again, shows how badly Najee Harris needs to stay healthy. Drafting Harris seems even smarter now.
• I would have liked them to show a little more urgency on that possession. Don’t take your foot off of the gas. At Halftime, Steelers 17-6.

3rd Quarter

• The Steelers might not escape this game without Diontae Spencer burning them.
• In fairness to the Steelers ST unit, they did flag Denver for a hold on the return.
• Courtland Sutton is quietly having a nice game.
• Alex Highsmith is oh-so close.
• Again, Teddy is just getting the ball away,
• Heyward = Heart
• That’s huge to get the ball back without giving up points to start the half.
• Najee with the 100-yard game after the 17-yard dash.
• A three-yard run from a backup? I’ll take it!
• After the Dotson hold, gotta get those yards back.
• And Ben is using the middle of the field for the first down to Claypool. Where has that been?
• Ben is getting dinged up. If the Steelers score a touchdown here, I’d go to the bullpen.
• Cody White, c’mon man!!!!! Catch those balls.
• Muth is becoming a high-percentage option.
• The bad news is that Chris Boswell just had a 50-yard field goal negated, the good news is that it’s due to a 15-yard leverage penalty on the defense. Sorry Boz, But we’ll take it.
• Yeah, Chase Claypool loves playing Denver. Sweet pass by Ben for the score and great effort by No. 11. Steelers 24, Denver 6.

Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

• Mondeaux with a spin move and an athletic sack. Nice, Henry.
• The Broncos are definitely going to go for it on fourth down.
• They don’t get it off in time.

4th Quarter

• Joe Schobert with the tackle, but it’s coming down to a measurement, I think they got it.
• The fans don’t like it, but Patrick got it clean. No need to challenge the spot.
• They are going to capitalize. I can feel it.
• Monster hit by Minkah.
• Reports are that Mason Rudolph is warming up. If they score a touchdown, that would be a mistake. That is unless Ben is hurt.
• JuJu is out for the game and now Devin Bush is as well.
• Watt is worth the money.
• Nobody was near Kendall Hinton. Crap! Steelers 24, Broncos 13.
• Najee is back. Thank goodness.
• Najee is holding on to his calf. Oh no!
• Positive yards for Benny Snell? Wow! I must be dehydrated and hallucinating.
• These injuries are mounting up and could cost them. Defense needs a stop.
• Big Press with the huge 62-yard punt. Somewhere Jeff Hartman is smiling.
• Just found out that Harvin III is a gifted piano player. Thanks for the nugget, Fox.
• James Pierre just got torched. Courtland Sutton with the score. Paul Simon’s “Slip, Sliding Away” is playing in my head.
• They can not blow this.
• At least the 2PC failed. 24-19 Steelers.
• Without Najee, you can’t rely too heavy on the run.
• Thank you, Diontae Johnson. That’s huge. Keep it going.
• In field goal range is good, but score a TD and wrap this puppy up.
• Snell ran better in this possession, but can’t get it done.
• Boswell converts from 43-out and the Steelers lead 27-19.
• 2:29 remains for Denver with no timeouts, Defense has got to hold.
• Big first down for Tim Patrick near midfield. This is scaring me.
• This is where you need T.J. to come up big.
• Good defense by James Pierre on that shot in the end zone, but you need to catch that.
• How in the world are you letting Kendall Hinton burn you?
• Terrell Edmunds with another big play near the end of a Denver game.
• Bang!!!! James Pierre with the big pick in the end zone.
• Final Score: Steelers 27, Denver 19

There you have it, BAD’s knee jerks. What were your thoughts? Be sure to get your opinions heard in the comment section below. Now time for me to process it, do some quick analyzing for the Scho Bro Show, and then put it behind me as the Steelers move on to Week 6 against the Seahawks. I’ll be back next week. CAN’T WAIT!!!!!