The idiom “a knee jerk reaction” means that you respond to something in an equally unthinking way. That’s something as sports fans that we typically do, and if it’s in an unthinking way then I definitely qualify. Knee jerks apply 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 (if at all). So with that being said, it’s time to react to the Steelers Week 8 matchup against the Jags. Let’s get this going, HERE……WE……GO!!!

1st Quarter

• Steelers receive the opening kickoff. And for the first time I’ve seen a fair catch made on the kickoff.
• Diontae was open, Pickett slightly overthrew it.
• A sack of Pickett leads to third down in 15. Looks like a three and out coming for the offense. I was correct. Why should they start things any differently.
• Big Press then shanks to punt for 35 yards. Typical awful start.
• Boy is that ever a late flag there throwing on James Pierre. That is way way way late. I also didn’t see much to draw the flag to begin with. I guess we’ll pick up the officiating where it left off last week too.
• The defense holds to a field goal try. It’s good Jaggos 3, Steelers 0.
• Looks like we’re calling out the Mack Canada special. Double R double P. We finished the double R part already.
• And after what should have been an interception returned for a touchdown, the Steelers have now completing the double P part of Canada’s offense.
• How can I talk much about the offense in this article when they spend so little time on the field?
• The Steelers get a sack, but Minkah is down on the field holding a hamstring. Probably all we will see from him today.
• The defense holds to a FG try again. Good again. Jaggos 6, Steelers 0.
• Anybody surprised that after 8 yards on first down the Steelers would go to a slow developing run play that gets nothing? That seems to be the deal every time the Steelers gain seven or eight yards on first down.
• And because of that the Steelers will go three and out for the third straight possession. This is absolutely insane. How is this allowed to continue week in and week out?
• How do they call that roughing the passer? He hits him as soon as he’s letting go of the ball shoulder into gut textbook tackle. What is the rule! The NFL is almost unwatchable at this point.
• FUMBLE!!!!  Alexander causes it, Holcomb receivers it.
• That reverse to Austin goes nowhere. Again I don’t think we can call it a trick play if it doesn’t trick anybody.
• Thank God that the first quarter is over for this offense. Jags 6, Steelers 0.

2nd Quarter

• If the play last series for the Steelers was roughing the passer, then why was the first play of the second quarter not roughing the passer on the Jaguars?
• You know what could have been another one on the very second play. Instead the Steelers go three and out and will punt.
• On that long pass I do not know how they get away with the hold they do on T.J. Watt.
• The defense is starting to look tired. And they should be tired because the offense stays on the field for about 45 seconds each possession and then gives the ball back.
• Kazee with the interception in the endzone. He decides to bring it out and steps out of bounds inside the 5-yard line. I’d like to get upset with him, but with the lack of yards being put up with the offense I can’t blame him for trying to make something happen.
• The Steelers are running these very slow running plays. Last week they were running some that were quick hitters. Where are those?
• Finally a first down. About time.
• Then a PI penalty. Another first down after that. Wow, life from the offense.
• Another first down to get a first and goal.
• That little shovel played at Connor Hayward on second and goal is never going to work. Not when all the defense is jammed up right in front of the goal line. It’s just a stupid call.
• Incomplete on third down. So with a first and goal the Steelers really only gave themselves one shot at the end zone based on the play calls.
• Boswell knocks through the field goal. Jags 6, Steelers 3.
• The third and seven the Steelers hold but they throw a holding flag on James Pierre. I love how the referees can come up with flags at opportune times.
• The defense makes a nice play on 3rd & 2 to force a fourth down. The Jaguars knock through another field goal. Jags 9, Steelers 3.
• Great, now Kenny is down.
• And the refs figure out how to screw the Steeler some more by calling offsides on the field goal try on the offensive team.
• Back it up in Boz will be trying from even deeper. This is from 61 yards.
• And instead of the Steelers being down three at the half the refs have made sure they are down six.
• Jaguars 9, Steelers 3.

3rd Quarter

• Methodical drive to start the first half for the Jaguars. They are in the Pittsburgh territory.
• Bad angle on the run play by Kwan Alexander gives up a 9-yard run to the running back.
• Fumble!!!! Steelers recover! It’s under review so I’m sure the refs will find a way to screw the Steelers.
• Wow, the ruling on the field stands. The Steelers do get the ball.
• Trubisky in at quarterback for the Steelers. Not a fan.
• Nothing like lining up with an extra offensive lineman and running for zero yards.
• Trubisky too late on the read and delivers late to Connor Hayward. Incomplete.
• Trubisky is sacked, why not have the offense start out the second half the same way they do the first half. Let’s go 3 & out after the turnover. No rest for the defense.
• Elandon Roberts with a sack after Watt pressure.
• Steelers hold to a 3 & out.
• After picking up one first down, Trubisky was lucky his next pass was not picked off. Again the ball was late getting there.
• George Pickens almost makes another miraculous catch, but on replay it was obvious he did not. Steelers to punt.
• Hey there’s a Pressley Harvin 29-yd punt. That got a lot of boo birds.
• I don’t know what the secondary was thinking on that past play to Travis Etienne. Kazee played that terrible.
• Jaguars go for two and make it. Jags 17, Steelers 3. I think without Kenny Pickett this game is over.
• How is that play kept alive? And Trubisky somehow finds Diontae for a first down.
• Pickens for the TD. Trubisky to Pickens just doesn’t roll off the tongue the same way. Jags 17, Steelers 10.
• Diontae was injured on the TD to Pickens.
• End of the third. Jags 17, Steelers 10.

4th Quarter

• The defense has had chances to get off the field and have been unable to do so.
• The Steelers defense looks like they were running in cement on that run play.
• T.J. Watt!!!! With the sack on 3rd & 10.
• Diontae is able to go.
• A free play results in a Trubisky sack, that won’t actually be a Trubisky sack, but Dan Moore was injured on the play.
• Najee not running with the same violence he was last week.
• There is the Mitchell Trubisky we all know with an interception deep down the middle of the field, throwing into triple coverage.
• The completions are just too easy for the Jaguars. Why can’t the Steelers complete passes as easily as they allow them to be completed?
• The Steelers pass defense is about as weak as any I have ever seen. Jags in the red zone.
• Jags kick a field goal to pretty much seal it. Jags 20, Steelers 10.
• Four yards a play when you’re down 10 points with four minutes to go is not going to get it done.
• The very short plays are starting to draw the boo birds.
• Trubisky playing right into the Jacksonville strategy.
• Nice block Dan Moore…..(sarcasm).
• Steelers having to go for it on 4th down and 16. That play wasn’t going to be anywhere close to a first down even if it was made.
• That will be the ball game. That was not a good effort from the Steelers on either side of the football today.
• Although the defense can’t take as much blame, they still gave up passing yardage and running yardage way too easily. The only thing that begins to bail them out were the turnovers that they created.
• The Steelers had 12 drives in the game. Five ended in 3 and out, a five plays and punt, a field goal, a missed field goal, the touchdown drive, an interception, a turnover on downs, and end of the game. Not good enough on offense.
• Here on the Steelers last possession they’re just getting sloppy. Diontae Johnson did not get set before the ball was snapped.
• Fitting the Trubisky would be intercepted on the last play of the game.
• Final score Jacksonville 20, Steelers 10.

Once again, I just fired off what was going through my head at the time. All reactions were in real time. Basically, it is the equivalent of watching the game with a me and Kyle, you just don’t have to go to another room because of my screaming at the television (sometimes Kyle leaves the room). Now time to process it, some quick analyzing for the Scho Bro Show, and then put it behind me as we move toward a quick turnaround week for Week 9 and the Titans. Make sure you get your voice heard in the comments below.