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 14 matchup against the Patriots. Let’s get this going, HERE……WE……GO!!!

1st Quarter

• I sit here on my couch waiting for the game to start, not all that excited, just hoping I don’t have to watch another crap fest like I did on Sunday.
• Steelers win the toss in defer to the second half. Defense will start on the field.
• And on the first play of the game T.J. Watt is down. Luckily he got up and walked off the field, but I actually worry that it could be a concussion.
• After a first down by the Patriots they throw it deep to who? JuJu Smith-Schuster. Not a great start for the defense.
• I’m not real thrilled with the Steelers defense already. As they give up a third and nine. Let’s pick up that third down conversion rate where we left off last week. Not!
• Patriots into the red zone. Ridiculous.
• And the Steelers give up and opening drive touchdown. Now they will play from behind. My guess is they will be behind the rest of the game. Patriots 7, Steelers 0.
• Trubisky runs for first, and then gets lucky on 3rd down and 6th that the Steelers get a pass interference call and not an interception.
• Well that toss to Jaylen Warren didn’t go anywhere. Another long third down for the Steelers.
• And Trubisky gets sacked. Boswell comes on and hits a 56-yard field goal. Patriots 7, Steelers 3.
• On third down and seven the Patriots get flagged for offensive pass interference. Can the Steelers now get off the field on third down?
• The defense does hold and forces a punt.
• Steelers quickly get to a third down and six. And the Steelers go three and out.
• The Steelers have this ability to make quarterbacks who are terrible look really good.
• The defense holds and forces the punt.
• The Steelers do manage to pick up a first down.
• That’s the end of the first quarter. Patriots 7, Steelers 3.

2nd Quarter

• Steelers start the second quarter facing third and ten.
• And under pressure Trubisky throws an interception. Patriots return it down to the 11-yard line. When your offense isn’t very good they cannot put the defense in these kinds of situations. That’s Trubisky for you.
• There were at least two Patriots closer to that pass than any Steeler.
• Alex Highsmith now down on the field.
• And to no surprise the Patriots throw it to a tight end for a touchdown. Put a bow on this game, it’s over in the second quarter. Patriots 14, Steelers 3.
• The Steelers are going to go back-to-back weeks losing to teams that only had two wins coming into the game against the Steelers.
• Najee loses 5 yards on first down. The offense looks terrible. Did somebody let Matt Canada sneak back into the stadium?
• On third and eight Trubisky throws falling backwards and nearly throws another interception. Lots of boos in the stadium.
• Defense holds to a three and out.
• Trubisky getting booed a lot.
• The Steelers get hit for an illegal formation, as it looks like the second week in a row Chuks reports as eligible but doesn’t cover the tackle. The Patriots decline it to get to 3rd down as the Steelers have been terrible on third down.
• Trubisky doesn’t even give Diontae Johnson a chance and the Steelers will punt again.
• Big Press shanks one. And the natives are restless.
• Third down and three and the Patriots hit JuJu Smith-Schuster for a huge play and are in scoring range.
• Very next play they hit a tight end again for a touchdown. The Steelers are a joke. Patriots 21, Steelers 3.
• Steelers are actually moving the ball. They are in New England territory and on the edge of scoring range.
• Diontae Johnson makes a really nice catch for a touchdown. That’s three on the season for him. Patriots 21, Steelers 10.
• The Steelers use a timeout on second down thinking about getting the ball back, but then basically give up an easy 15 yards on second down.
• Steelers get it to third down and seven. But to no one’s surprised they complete it to a tight end for a first down.
• Elandon Roberts gets home for a sack!
• Steelers now have the Patriots at third down and 21. What do we think completion to the tight end for 24 yards?
• Patriots are just milking the clock. Steelers won’t have much time left when they get it back.
• The Steelers just kneel on it and go to the half. Patriots 21, Steelers 10.

3rd Quarter

• That was not the greatest of plays on the kickoff as the returner let the ball bounce had to wait for it to come down. No wonder he didn’t make the 20.
• Steelers quickly to a third down and four.
• Muth converts the first down.
• Another trick play that doesn’t trick anyone and loses 7 yards.
• A great individual effort by Connor Heyward converts the third down and 10.
• Steelers face yet another third down. The Steelers constantly rely on all three downs to try to gain first downs, and they’re so bad on third down.
• And Trubisky get sacked. The Steelers needed to come away with points to start the second half but instead hold the ball for 7 minutes and get nothing. That’s rough when you’re down two scores. You’re basically doing the Patriots job for them.
• A 16-yard pass, and now Keeanu Benton is down on the field.
• Steelers get them to third and seven, can the defense find their way off the field?
• Cam Heyward gets home for the sack.
• Anyone else surprised the Steelers quickly get to a third down?
• And to no one’s surprise the Steelers don’t convert and go three and out. Uninspired football.
• Mykal Walker with the interception off the deflection. Maybe the Steelers could turn this into something.
• The Steelers offensive line does not look like they want to run block tonight.
• And again the Steelers quickly get to third down.
• Trubisky scrambles, and slides well short of the first down. He didn’t even try to get it.
• End of the third quarter. Patriots 21, Steelers 10.

4th Quarter

• Steelers decide not to kick the field goal and go forward on 4th down. This will be the ball game and they will not make it. Couldn’t even turn the Patriots turnover and good field position into any points.
• Defense holds to three and out, and the special teams blocks the punt to set the offense up in good position again.
• There’s a Mount Washington sighting.
• Muth draws a penalty in the end zone. First and goal on the one.
• Why try the trick play on first and goal?
• There we go- Trubisky sneaks it in. Steelers going for two. Complete to Muth. Patriots 21, Steelers 18.
• After a Styx national anthem, you just got a Renegade in the stadium. Let’s hope the defense can take advantage.
• And the defense gives up nine yards on the first play.
• Steelers gets them to third and 10. Got to get off the field.
• Gave up way too many yards, 4th and very short. The Patriots do send out the punt team.
• What was that play and where was Trubisky throwing it?
• On third and five, the Steelers gain 4. Steelers couldn’t make a quick decision and burn their second time out of the half.
• Steelers gamble on 4th down, and Trubisky sneaks it for a first.
• Another third down. You know we could try gaining 10 yards in two plays.
• Terrible looking play and Trubisky throws it away. Punt team comes on. Kuntz gets flagged for a false start, it really could have been an offsides. Call could have gone either way but of course goes against the Steelers.
• The defense holds to a three and out. They will give the offense a chance. Can the offense come through? My confidence is not real high.
• Steelers facing a third down and two near midfield. Please don’t take it to fourth down.
• Trubisky well off target. Steelers now face fourth and two.
• 4th down and two and the play is to throw it deep? That is so stupid. Steelers turn it over on downs.
• Offense continues to under perform.
• Having to burn those time outs earlier in the half comes back to bite the Steelers as well.
• And a 13-yard run by Zeke Elliott will end the ballgame. Patriots can go victory formation.
• They review the play and rule it short.
• Steelers hold and the Patriots will punt with 0:22 seconds left.
• No miracle for the Steelers. A couple weeks ago it looked like 9 and 4 was possible, and now the Steelers are 7 and 6.
• I hate to say it, but it looks like the coaching staff has lost the locker room. Only a bad team can lose back-to-back games like the Steelers have just lost.

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, Week 15 and the Colts. Make sure you get your voice heard in the comments below.