Steelers vs. Bengals, Week 3: Knee Jerk Reactions to the Steelers’ 24-10 loss to the Bengals

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

1st Quarter

• Bengals win the toss and defer, Steelers received the first half kickoff.
• Steelers start with a 4-yard run, but swiftly follow that up with a formation penalty. They can't afford those kinds of mistakes.
• Third and five, instead of going for the first Ben throws long towards James Washington. Another scoreless first drive.
• Steelers should have had a sack on third down but three different guys missed him. Luckily they stopped Burrow short of the first. Tack a holding call on to that play and the Steelers will get another shot to get at him on third down.
• Finally bust Najee out for a decent run and Green just called for a hold.
• The wide receivers need to look to cut the ball back inside. Juju had a chance at four or five more yards but instead wanted to try to break outside, got nothing more, and was limited to three yards.
• Now a penalty on Claypool for an illegal pick. This offense can't afford all the penalties as they struggle enough as it is.
• On third down and 23 the Steelers throw the ball 2 yards behind the line of scrimmage to get back to the line of scrimmage. I do not understand the offensive play calling at all.
• There's the kind of play the Steelers needed. Contested pass knocked up in the air and picked off by Trey Edmonds.
• Steelers return the favor on third and eight by getting Ben creamed and the ball is picked off by one of the Bengals lineman.
• The Steelers offense continues to show that it is 100% inept.
• Bengals are now moving the ball, and are in scoring position. The defense had them in a third and eight but couldn't get off the field.
• Poor tackling by the Steelers defense gives up a touchdown. Steelers give up the score after the turnover. Bengals 7, Steelers 0.
• On first down Ben has to hold it, hold it, hold it, and is eventually sacked.
• The offense is totally telegraphs its running plays. On the motion I knew it was going to be a run and I knew where the run was going and so did the Bengals.
• End of the first. Bengals 7, Steelers 0.

2nd Quarter

• Ben rolls right on third and pump fakes a pass back into the middle and is able to run for the first down. That was savvy.
• The offense continues to look totally out of sync.
• I wish our offensive line could block like the Bengals just did for that 29-yard run.
• That will not go down as a sack, but Burrow is held to one or two yards on third down.
• Muth, with a first down.
• Ben goes back and holds the ball for 35 seconds and gets sacked.
• JuJu gained 16 yards on second and 15. There was some hard running after that catch.
• Every time Najee gets a good run the Steelers get flagged for holding.
• Finally Najee runs for 20 yards and there's not a flag on the play.
• The Steelers actually have a drive going here.
• Najee takes the pass and goes inside the 5-yard line.
• MUUUUTTTHHH!!! With the TD! Steelers 7, Bengals 7.
• Melvin Ingram gets flagged for roughing the passer call. Or was it simply just touching the quarterback? Either way, it gives yards and stops the clock.
• Another completion and the Bengals are already in field goal range. Talk about nothing going correct here. Also made me questions why the Steelers took that time out when they had plenty of time to huddle and run a play earlier.
• And there's a touchdown. Everything the Steelers just gained on their drive, was given back by the defense in a matter of seconds. Bengals 14, Steelers 7. And the Bengals get the ball to start the second half......not good.
• After looking to make plays on the first two plays of this drive, the Steelers decide to live in their fears and just run a draw on third down.
• That's the half. Bengals 14, Steelers 7.

3rd Quarter

• Two plays for Cincinnati to start the half and two first downs given up.
• Make that three plays and three first downs.
• Sometimes the Bengals are still the Bengals, as they rushed to the line of scrimmage and hurry up and ended up having to take a time out because they almost ran the play clock out.
• The defense finally stiffens and holds the Bengals to a field goal. Bengals 17, Steelers 7.
• On 3rd and 4 Ben steps up and throws the ball three yards right to somebody from Cincinnati. A second interception on the day for Ben.
• Not only is the offense terrible, but now it keeps putting the defense in terrible situations.
• The Bengals already with first and goal. Burrow gets all day to throw and we won't see second and goal after that throw. Bengals 24, Steelers 7.
• I think it's safe to say that this game is basically over.
• Nothing going right for the Steelers today as Boswell even misses a field goal.
• The defense goes three and out. Ray-Ray falls down before fielding the punt, add on the fact the Steelers were holding on the play and the offense will start way deep in their own territory.
• You know it's bad when I turn to Kyle and say "and this will be a run right up the middle", and that's exactly what the Steelers do.
• Boooooo! I am not there to boo the offense, so I will from here.
• End of three. I can't believe I have to sit through another quarter someone please put me out of my misery. Bengals 24, Steeler 7.

4th Quarter

• A bit of a drive going, but using valuable time to do it.
• Ray-Ray was stripped of the ball, and somehow around four Bengals was able to get it back.
• Steelers get called for blocking before the pass. The offense just can't get out of their own way today.
• Roethlisberger now sacked. He's been getting time today but just can't find anyone to get the ball to.
• Now a false start. After being first and goal on the three the Steelers are just imploding. Second and goal at the 21.
• Steelers end up settling for a field goal. Bengals 24, Steelers 10.
• Bengals go three and out again. Offense is going to have to move it a lot quicker this time.
• That might have been Ebron's first target of the day, and believe it or not he dropped it.
• Ben overthrows a wide open James Washington. That would have been a touchdown.
• Claypool's been a bit gimpy and after a big catch and has to come off.
• Kendrick Green is down on the field, and he looks like he's in a lot of pain. Luckily he walks off under his own power.
• Ben given time again but takes another sack.
• Steelers have 4th and 10 on the 11 yard line. Kyle has a bet that the pass goes for 2 yards. And the Steelers throw a swing pass to Najee 2 yards behind the line of scrimmage. That was awful.
• As much as it pains me to say it steal our fans are probably headed to the esca-losers.
• Kyle says he wants Josh Dobbs calling plays next week, because at least he's really smart.
• The Steelers actually get the ball back and on second, third, and fourth down passes are dropped and the game is now over.
• The sack streak comes to an end.
• The only good thing I can say about this game, is at least it's over. Bengals 24, Steelers 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 to process it, some quick analyzing for the Scho Bro Show, and then put it behind me as the Steelers move on to Week 4 on the possibly already frozen tundra in Green Bay. Bring on the Pack! CAN’T WAIT!!!!!