Steelers vs. Packers, Week 4: Knee Jerk Reactions to the Steelers’ 27-17 loss to the Packers

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 4 of the 2021 NFL Season. Let’s get this going, HERE......WE......GO!!!

1st Quarter

• It looks like the Packers won the toss and elected to defer. I don't know KDKA wanted to watch the Jets game for a little too long.
• Even though I was calling it before the ball was snapped, Najee takes one up the middle for a first down and then some. That's what I like to see.
• JuJu Smith-Schuster slides into second base almost for a first down.
• Pittsburgh pushing the ball down the field lets keep this going please.
• Offsides on the defense doesn't matter. Touchdown Diontae Johnson! That's the first time they've scored a touchdown on their first drive since they played the Titans last year.
• Congratulations to Ben Roethlisberger on number 400. It’s actually 401 because Jesse James caught that ball.
• Sutton just got outmatched by Davante Adams. Don't do that again.
• Green Bay moving down the field but on a second and three the Steelers hold them at the line. Big third down here.
• Devin Bush coming in to get the sack on third down. That's huge. Wasn't even touched!
• Packers take a delay-of-game and the Steelers decline the yardage.
• Steelers pinned inside the five. Let's please get some yardage this drive.
• Come on Ben he don't catch with his feet. It would have been a good yardage gain.
• Stokes getting a little handsy with JuJu. Big Press coming out.
• Holding sets Green Bay back across midfield.
• That's going to be close on a 3rd and 3, but they get it.
• Minkah almost coming up with the pick, would have been HUGE!
• That's one thing I don't want to see. Rogers rolling out and almost hitting a wide open receiver.
• End of first quarter Steelers up 7-0.

2nd Quarter

• One play into the second quarter in the Packers are 1st and goal on the 8.
• And they let Rogers run for a touchdown from the 5. Score tied 7 - 7
• I love that Najee can push the pile for 4 yards.
• Ben's arm hit as he throws and the ball goes to Green Bay within the 25. Did you know we have a very young offensive line?
• Illegal Block in the back takes Green Bay back to around the 35. Hold them here.
• Aaaand they get 6 the next play.
• Rodgers pass to Cobb for a Green Bay touchdown on a 3rd and 10. Score is now 14-7 Green Bay
• Najee runs for 8 on first down. Take a shot down field now.
• Late flag comes in to take it back to 1st and 20.
• Offside penalty declined. Steelers have 3rd and 2 instead of 2nd and 7.
• Ebron gets the first down. Had to throw it right in his gut to make sure it was secured.
• Grandpa Strong gets a big chunk of yards!
• Ben barely throws over JuJu and it would have been an easy touchdown.
• Been overthrows Washington on 3rd and 12, Boz out to kick. It clanks the left upright, but goes through.
• Kick team puts the Packers on the 16. And then Aaron Jones runs it up past the 30.
• Now Green Bay is running through the Steelers like they're a wet paper bag.
• Hold them on this third down and make them kick a field goal to keep it within a touchdown.
• I don't even know what just happened there. Jones lets it slip out of his hands and Schobert ends up with it but it was out of bounds.
• Joe Haden jumps offsides to take away the blocked field goal for a touchdown. The worst part is he didn't even touch the football. Or actually jump offsides.
• Crosby makes the field goal. Packers 17, Steelers 10

3rd Quarter

• Green Bay starts the drive at the 25.
• 25 yards on a 3rd and 7 is not good.
• Let's see where the ball is spotted. It's going to be close but I think they got the first down. And Heyward is down, not good, not good.
• Weak zone and the Packers get near the 10. A roughing-the-passer puts the ball near the 5.
• Does T.J. get credit for the sack of he accidentally tripped Rodger?
• At least it was only 3 again.
• Ray-Ray takes it up towards the 23, but the Steelers start near the 12 because of the holding penalty. They can't be doing that stuff and expect to win.
• Back-to-back passes to Harris gets a first.
• Over throw to JuJu again. Also would have been a touchdown.
• Joe Haden with a beautiful whiff on Adams to start the drive.
• Followed by a 25-yard run by A.J. Dillon. C'mon man.
• The "elite" defense gives up a touchdown. Now it’s 24-10.
• Najee getting some yards on the pitch.
• Oh look there's a surprise: Ben overthrows another receiver downfield. If this wasn't a theme the Steelers might be winning this game.
• Oh look, Ben overthrew Dionte.
• At least the Steelers are going for it here on 4th and 4. Holy cow! Why do the Steelers throw it behind the line of scrimmage on fourth down with a game on the line basically? I don't know if it was the play call or the read by Ben.
• First play for Green Bay is a pass inside the 40.
• T.J. gets a fumble recovery. The offense needs to show up now, I don't know if it will.
• Back-to-back first downs to Freiermith and Washington.
• End of the 3rd. 27-10 not the good guys.

4th Quarter

• Diontae Johnson could have had the first down but decides to run to yards backwards and gets maybe two yards. Never mind...0 YARDS!
• T.J. gave the Steelers a second chance, do something on offense. I bet they motion a WR, and run it opposite of where he goes.
• D.J. gets a false start going for it on 4th down. Now it’s 4th and 9.
• And the Steelers are punting.
• Green Bay goes 3 and out.
• Najee barely gets the 3rd and 3.
• Ben goes down for a loss of 6 yards. Did you know we have a young O-line?
• An incompletion on 3rd down leaves them with a 4th and 5.
• Aaand a throw one yard past the line of scrimmage puts the game out of reach.
• Green Bay is running all over the field and running a bunch of clock.
• Steelers get the ball after a turnover on downs. Don't do anything stupid to get someone injured.
• Washington with a big catch.
• PI puts them at the one-yard line and Najee dives over for the TD.
• Not going for the onside kick is risky. Timeout Pittsburgh.
• No gain on the run, timeout.
• Blown coverage gives the Packers an easy first down.
• Packers run the clock to the 2 minute warning.
• Ben throws a pick when it wasn't necessary. Ben can't make throws most guys can. At least he got 400 TDs.
• Packers take a knee. That’s a 27-17 final.

There you have it, my knee jerks. What were your thoughts? Be sure to get your opinions heard in the comment section below. Now time to process it, some quick analyzing for the Scho Bro Show, and then put it behind me as the Steelers move on to Week 5 back at home against the Broncos, CAN’T WAIT!!!!!