Steelers vs. Browns, Week 8: Knee Jerk Reactions to the Steelers 15-10 win over the Browns

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

1st Quarter

• After the bye week I am itching for some Steelers football. Let's get this going.
• Browns will receive the first half kickoff. The Steelers finally won a coin toss and deferred.
• Am I allowed to say that after two plays I'm already not happy with the defense?
• There's the Baker Mayfield we're all used to and love.
• Was hoping for some defensive wrinkles this week. Looks like they're playing the standard vanilla.
• Seeing no pressure from up front with a lot of zone behind it.
• That would have been an easy touchdown had Baker not thrown that ball a little high.
• Heyward and Watt combined for the sack on third down forcing Cleveland into a field goal try. Browns 3, Steelers 0. For the record Joe Haden was not offsides.
• Muuuuttthhh!
• Big third down for the Steelers. Would be nice to convert this long third.
• Pass was broken up but didn't matter because it was going to be short of the first down anyway.
• Defense learns nothing and gives up 11 on a screen
• This is going to be a long day if the secondary keeps leaving guys that wide open.
• End of the first quarter, Browns 3, Steelers 0.

2nd Quarter

• Browns go for it on 4th and 1 and get nowhere close.
• Claypool makes the catch on a third down. Nice to see him getting involved now.
• Grandpa Strong got a little too strong with that hold.
• That was a cheap shot by the Cleveland safety.
• Next play they flag what's is going to be Cleveland and then the referees pick it up. Kind of bogus if you ask me.
• Boswell on to attempt to field goal. Steelers 3, Browns 3.
• 3rd down and 10, the receiver was open for a first down but Baker threw it behind him. There's a surprise.
• Where was the face mask call on that tackle of Najee. We're so quick to throw flags against the Steelers but apparently the Browns can do whatever they want.
• Wormly getting credit for the sack on first down. Nice to see some pressure.
• Cleveland does absolutely nothing and will give it back to the Steelers.
• Nice run Najee.
• For the second time in the game the Steelers try this misdirection toss and for the second time in this game it loses yards. I think Matt Canada should scrap that one.
• 3rd down and 9 and Diontae Johnson catches the ball for 10.
• Nice gain by Claypool on the reverse.
• Why are they constantly trying to block Myles Garrett one-on-one?
• That was the stupidest fake field goal I have ever seen. And now Boswell is down on the field hurt. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
• That should have actually been a flag as the guy lowered his head and put it under Boswell's chin. Way to throw a flag there refs. For guys that sure are hanky happy they weren't on that play.
• Now the defense is going to play soft zone let Cleveland go down and score points and will be behind at halftime.
• Watt with a sack!
• At the half, Steelers 3 Browns 3. But I'm not sure we'll have Chris Boswell for the second half of this game.

3rd Quarter

• So the Steelers took all that wonderful momentum they got at the end of the first half (sarcasm) and turn it into a three and out.
• Not only did the Steelers give up a huge run on the first play but the defense gets called for a hold as well add on five more. Looking at the replay that was another totally bogus call by the refs.
• Defense being shredded. This game's going to get out of hand and I'm going to point back to one play (yes I am still bitter about it).
• That second and goal run from the 10 was way too easy for a touchdown. That guy wasn't even touched. I know it's early but I feel like game over. Browns 10, Steelers 3.
• Boswell has been officially ruled out with a concussion.
• 3rd down and 8, the Steelers dump it to Benny Snail who comes up short.
• Steelers go for it on 4th and 1 and it is awfully close, but Najee does make the first down.
• Steelers have methodically moved it down to about the 10-yard line.
• Najee!!! For the touchdown. Steelers decide to go for two here. Great play with Ben running it up the middle except Kendrick Green was called for the hold for the second time in the game.
• Steelers now going for two from the 12-yard line. I don't anticipate this to work. Not only does Cleveland get pressure but the throw was going to go to Deonte Johnson behind the line of scrimmage, so it was going nowhere. Browns 10, Steelers 9.
• Wow, Tony Romo finally says something I can agree with. Saying that the Steelers should be chipping Miles Garrett with somebody.
• It has been a long, long time since I have been this pissed off at the Steelers while watching a game.
• Big Press with the kickoff that goes out of bounds.
• 3rd down and 12 for the Browns— if we need a T.J. Watt sighting it would be now.
• T.J. Watt was chipped so was nowhere close on that now it's 4th down of one for the Browns and they are going to go for it.
• Brown's actually decided to just try to draw the Steelers offside and take the penalty.
• End of the third quarter. Browns 10, Steelers 9.

4th Quarter

• Steelers with a big third and five hand the ball to Najee, who gets the first down. The offensive line is playing better and better in the run game.
• There's the refs throwing another flag on was a very weak holding call on Dotson.
• How about a first and 20 play going for 24 to Zack Gentry. That's getting it all back and then some.
• Here we go again it's 4th and goal, and the Steelers can't kick it so they're going for it.
• Touchdown MUTH!
• Steelers go for two but do not convert. Steelers 15, Browns 10.
• Steelers come out in zone, getting no pressure and give up a long pass to the tight end.
• Steelers get the Browns to a third down. Need a big pass rush here.
• There was an easy call for a hold on that Baker Mayfield scramble and the refs did not throw it. Robert Spillane was being blatantly held to get Baker to the outside.
• Fumble, fumble, fumble! Recovered by the Steelers.
• On second down Diontae Johnson lets the ball go through his hands and off his face mask. You have to come up with those catches.
• Diontae now comes up short on a third down play so after the wonderful defensive play the offense goes three and out and will give it back to the Browns.
• Let's give up a big run to start it off for the Browns. How about another blatant hold on Wormly on that run?
• Steelers give up another first down. Getting really nervous.
• Got lucky there is Landry dropped that ball.
• Steelers have to burn a timeout on defense there. Now they only have one left. That could come back to really hurt.
• Hey I got a great idea... now the referees are throwing a flag on Alex Highsmith on what looks to be another very questionable call. I hate that the referees are injecting themselves into this game in all the wrong ways.
• We need T.J. Watt here. Brown's completed but short.
• Two-minute warning and Cleveland faces a 4th and 12.
• Wow, I can't believe it. The defense held and the referees did not throw a flag to give it to Cleveland.
• Diontae with a big catch and run. He even stayed in bounds to keep the clock moving forcing Cleveland to take a time out.
• 3-2-1 win. I don't think I've ever been so pissed off at a Steelers victory in my life. Final score Steelers 15, Browns 10.

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 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 9 next Monday night against the Bears. Taking the whole family to that game next week (we are all Steeler fans, but we know one of the Bears players personally from our time at William & Mary). I guess I will have to find someone else to handle the knee jerk reactions next week since I will be in the ‘Burgh. CAN’T WAIT!!!!!