Steelers vs. Raiders, Week 2: Knee Jerk Reactions to the Steelers’ 26-17 loss to the Raiders

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

1st Quarter

• Raiders win the tossing defer, Steelers to receive the kickoff.
• Steelers face their first third down of the game, this needs to be converted.
• Pass complete to JuJu Smith-Schuster for the first down pick up. Offense has a little bit of rhythm to start.
• Second and 11, the throw only goes as far as the line of scrimmage. The Steelers have to throw the ball down the field more.
• Is anyone surprised that Ebron didn't make that catch?
• The defense is already playing without Devin Bush and Joe Haden, and now Tyson Alualu is down on the grass. Not good.
• Defense holds Raiders to punt. That's two decent returns already for Ray-Ray McCloud. But he follows it up with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, so not so good.
• Najee Harris with a big run up the middle. Let's see some more of that.
• Third down and 10, Roethlisberger under pressure just heaves one up and ends up being an interception. That was an extremely poor decision by Ben. And a poor job by Diontae Johnson not finishing his route to try to make a play on the ball.
• WATT! Strip sack! But Raiders won the scrum.
• Raiders convert the interception into three points. Raiders 3, Steelers 0.
• That stiff arm by Najee looked very Vanimal-like.
• Benny Snell snails his way back to the line of scrimmage.
• Steelers got lucky on that third and eight. Throwing three yards behind the line of scrimmage and JuJu was able to make somebody miss and pick up the first.
• End of the first. Raiders 3, Steelers 0.

2nd Quarter

• Ben throws deep for Claypool, but the Raiders player made a nice play to knock it away.
• Steelers go for it on 4th down, but the pass falls incomplete. Of all the times I would have thought the Steelers would be looking for short routes on 4th and 4 they were looking for more intermediate routes there.
• I could not believe they flagged Spillane for that hit on Carr. He led with his shoulder and Carr was a running back.
• Pierre looked terrible on that play.
• The defense stiffens and holds the Raiders to a field goal. Raider 6, Steelers 0.
• Open up with a nice pass to Diontae, followed by a beautiful run by Najee. Let's keep it going offense.
• Big play over the top to Diontae on third down. Love it. 1st and goal Steelers.
• JuJu with the run for the touchdown! Steeler 7, Raiders 6.
• Was nice to see the Steelers not go another entire first half without a score.
• Defense is now getting picked apart by Derek Carr.
• Justin Layne wasn't able to keep the receiver from powering through for the first down on a third downplay. He needs to drive harder and keep him from making that first.
• Just came in T.J. Watt is questionable to return with a groin injury. With Alualu now out, the defense is running shy on bodies.
• Raiders convert a fourth and one and now have a first and goal. Not feeling good about this.
• Pierre looked like he was burned badly on that touchdown throw, but got bailed out by a penalty on the Raiders.
• Raiders go from second and goal on the two, to having several penalties and settling for a 41-yard field goal. Raiders 9, Steeler 7.
• That's the half. Raiders 9, Steeler 7. I hope the defense is actually able to make some adjustments with all the people they've lost for this game.

3rd Quarter

• The defensive given up a few yards to start the third quarter, but has a chance to get off the field here with a third long. Need to hold.
• Defense holds forces a punt. Let's get down the field and retake the lead here.
• Muuuuttthhh. Converts the 3rd down.
• The problem with Ben is that when he holds the ball, he really holds it for a long time.
• On 3rd down and 12 the Steelers throw the ball three yards. Not going to convert that way.
• Thicc Kicc with a 58 yard punt. Nice.
• The Raiders aren't even trying to run the football, but the Steelers are allowing them to throw for seven or eight yards on every play.
• Ingram! First sack with the Steelers.
• On a third down and nine, they give up a 20-yard pass. I'm really starting to question whether the Steelers have enough to win this game.
• Pierre looking bad again in the secondary. This guy was to make a huge jump in year two and we are really missing Joe Haden today.
• Raiders throw for a touchdown. I hate to say it right now but you might be able to stick a fork in this one. Raiders 16, Steeler 7.
• Seems like every time the Steelers start to get something going they shoot themselves in the foot.
• Pressley Harvin pins the Raiders inside the 5-yard line with his punt. If there's a time that the defense needed to come through it would be now.
• That first down swing pass by the Raiders was just too easy to get 12 yards.
• The Steelers are getting no pass rush, and are just dropping into soft zone and Derek Carr is picking it apart.
• End of three. Raider 16, Steeler 7.

4th Quarter

• Allowing the Raiders to complete short throws definitely doesn't work when you can't make a tackle.
• Cam Heyward knocks down the 3rd down pass to force a punt.
• Deep pass to Claypool! Then Ben drops the snap on the very next play.
• Najee!!! Touchdown!!! On the downside, Turner with a penalty after the play and gets ejected from the game.
• Raider 16, Steelers 14.
• Just heard Renegade before the kickoff.
• I'm so sick of seeing this soft zone right now from the Steelers defense.
• The defense needs to get off the field on this third down play.
• And instead they give up the huge play for a touchdown. Great call there Keith Butler. Raiders 23, Steelers 14. This one is done.
• And the Steelers go three and out and decide to punt. I like to call that wave the white flag, with the decision to punt on 4th and 1 down 9 points with less than 9 minutes to play.
• The defense then on the very first play lets the Raiders run for 11 yards, when everybody in the stadium knew it was going to be a run play.
• The offense has it back and has moved slowly down the field, where the Raiders seem content to let them take time off the clock.
• Sending Boswell out to try a 56-yard field goal to keep the Steelers in the game. Boswell goes right down the middle, to keep the Steelers in it. Raiders 23, Steelers 17.
• I called the throw on second down before the ball was even snapped. That should end it. Don't see the Steelers coming back from that one.
• Last week's win a lot of credit was given to the coaching staff on the play calling. I think I have to take this loss and put the same onus onto the coaching staff. They did not come with their best game today.
• Raiders tack on a field goal. Raiders 26, Steelers 17. 20 seconds to play.
• And on the last play of the game when we really should have just taken a knee to get out of there Diontae Johnson gets hurt. Bad call coaching staff. Raiders 26 Steelers 17.

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 3 at home. Bring on the Bungles! CAN’T WAIT!!!!!