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 Preseason Week One game against the Texans. Let’s get this going, HERE……WE……GO!!!

1st Quarter

• It’s been a long wait, but the Steelers are finally back on the football field to play against another National Football League team. A lot has changed for the Steelers since the last time they took the field. An all new quarterback room, Diontae Johnson no longer with the team, and a whole bunch of new draft picks and free agents.
• The Steelers will receive the opening kickoff. Time to see what this new-fangled kickoff looks like.
• Plumlee returns the kick. Gets across the 20.
• On the first play Fields escapes pressure gets the ball out to Najee who gains 15 yards.
• Pickens for 16 yards. Good start.
• Fields fumbles the next snap. Those of the kinds of mistakes that should not be made in preseason football.
• Muth with a short gain on 3rd and long. Steelers punt.
• Payton Wilson makes a tackle for a loss on the first play.
• The Steelers hold to a three and out. We will get to see the offense again.
• Why in the world did Quez Watkins fair catch that punt. It was returnable.
• The Steelers fumble another snap. Not good from Justin Fields.
• On third down and four Fields is sacked. Steelers to punt. The offensive line did not look good on that series.
• There appeared to be half a million penalties on the punt. Apparently there was just one though, as Dez Fitzpatrick went out of bounds on his own while covering the punt.
• Nick Herbig breaks free and blows up that play. Almost had a sack.
• On the very next play Stroud hits Tank Dell for a touchdown. Poor tackling in the Steeler secondary. Texans 7, Steelers 0.
• Steelers get flagged for holding on the kickoff. Danny Smith’s crew has not started well as they’ve been hit for a couple of penalties.
• A nice run from Najee and a pass to Pickens nets the Steelers the first down.
• Van Jefferson open in the mid-range down the field.
• Tough running by Jaylen Warren.
• On third down Fields is sacked for the third time.
• Benton went off hurt. Don’t like that.
• Porter too handsy on that throw, the yellow hanky flies.
• End of the first quarter. Texan 7, Steelers 0.

2nd Quarter

• Montravius Adams with the sack on third down. Texans punt.
• A nice run by Jonathan Ward.
• Justin Fields now out of the game. Was not all that impressed by him tonight.
• Steelers visit the Red zone.
• Steelers pick up a first down. First and goal Steelers.
• The Steelers run it three straight times and do not make it into the end zone.
• The Steelers will go for it on 4th and goal. Calvin Austin was all alone in the end zone but the pass was too high.
• Adams swats down the 3rd down pass. Texans to punt
• Watkins muffs this punt and the Texans recover. Watkins is probably going to be cut soon. He has been terrible back there.
• DeMarvin Leal with a sack.
• Texans complete a 3rd and long and now have a 1st and goal.
• Texans run it in on the next play. Texans 14, Steelers 0.
• Not much happened before the Steelers punt it back to the Texans.
• Texans out to midfield.
• A couple more completions and the Texans give themselves a chance at points before the half.
• Texans add a field goal. Texans 17, Steelers 0.
• That was a very sloppy first half by the Steelers. If I were coach Tomlin I would be raising my voice a bit at the half.

3rd Quarter

• A couple of first downs and the Texans are in Steelers territory.
• 3rd and 10, can the defense get off the field? Tipped and almost picked off.
• Nice play by Kyle Allen to escape and get the ball to Calvin Austin.
• On first down Connor Heyward gets called for holding so the Steelers will now face a first in 20.
• Steelers find their way to the Red Zone.
• On 3rd and long Kyle Allen scrambles and slides for a first down. First and goal Steelers.
• Heyward with the TD catch. Texans 17, Steelers 6 after Wright misses the extra point.
• After the Texans get a couple of first downs the Steelers get them to third down and eight. The pass was complete but short of the first down.
• The Texans hit a 51-yard field goal. Texans 20, Steelers 6.
• That’s the end of the third quarter. One to go in the Steelers opening preseason game.

4th Quarter

• Big pass from Kyle Allen to Scotty Miller for 35 yards.
• A nice run by Daijun Edwards and the Steelers are set up with a first and gold.
• Edwards with a touchdown run.
• Steelers go for two and the run comes up short. Texans 20, Steelers 12.
• Cory Trice with a nice tackle in the flat.
• 3rd and long and the Steelers soft zone gives up the first.
• Jeremiah Moon comes up with the sack on 2nd and 10.
• Third down and 16, and luckily the Texans are short of the first down by about a yard.
• Texans are going for it on 4th and 1. It is complete for a first down. What really killed the Steelers was giving up so many yards on third down.
• The Texans are forced into a field goal try, and they miss it. The score remains Texans 20, Steelers 12.
• Kyle Allen was sacked and fumbled the ball, but luckily the Steelers recovered.
• Steelers facing a third and 20, let’s make that a third and 25 after a false start. The Steelers were looking to come out and play a clean game, and came nowhere close to doing that.
• Steelers facing 4th and 21 at the 2-minute warning. It looks like they’re going to go ahead and punt the ball away.
• The Steelers use a couple of timeouts and get the Texans to 3rd down. Nice tackle by Kyron Johnson there.
• Kyron Johnson again with a nice play and will force a punt.
• A couple of completions get the Steelers near midfield.
• Allen throws an interception and that will end it.
• Sloppy football gives the Steelers a lot to work on next week
• Final score Texans 20, Steelers 12.

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 on to week 2 of the preseason and the Buffalo Bills. Make sure you get your voice heard in the comments below.