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

1st Quarter

• Steelers receive the opening kickoff. Muffs it in the end zone and still decided to run it out. Luckily gets to the 24.
• George Pickens opens the game with the first down.
• I love commentators who don’t know anything. As he said Broderick Jones would have a tough time matched up against T.J. Watt.
• On second and one the Steelers go jumbo, go play action and hit a big play down the field to George Pickens. I love the new play calling.
• Steelers are in the red zone. They need to punch this in for a touchdown.
• And the drive stalls right where it was. Boswell kicks it through. Steelers 3, Cardinals 0.
• I really wish the Steelers would quit kicking short of the goal line.
• Benton knocks down the second down pass. He was right in Murray’s face.
• The defense holds to a three and out and will give the ball back to the offense. Need some more points.
• On third down and two a poor snap makes Kenny Pickett have to take a sack. Steelers go three and out. Didn’t look good.
• Mr. Highsmith with the tackle of the running back in the backfield. Impressive.
• Elandon Roberts did not need to make that hit. Now the Cardinals drive continues.
• Cardinals will attempt the 51 yard field goal. It’s good. Steelers 3, Cardinals 3.
• After an initial first down the Cards pressure on Pickett, he gets it to Warren but for a loss of five.
• Steelers get it back to third a manageable after a nice run by Jaylen Warren.
• There was a terrible Matt Canada play on third down. Quick wide receiver screen to Diontae that gains zero yards on third down and four.
• Alex Highsmith gets home with a sack on 3rd down and four. Cardinals forced to punt.
• Steelers quickly face a third down and six. But will wait to choose that play to start the second quarter. Steelers 3, Cardinals 3.

2nd Quarter

• Pickett does not handle the third down pressure well. The Steelers will punt.
• On third down in 14 the Steelers are lucky that the receiver did not come up with that deep pass.
• Instead of a first down run from Najee the Steelers get flagged for an illegal formation. Now they play from behind.
• Pickens draws a pass interference, and Jaylen Warren makes a nice run, and the Steelers are in business.
• Muuuuttthh! Down to the 7 yard line.
• Pickett comes up short of the goal line on third down, and was holding his right leg after the play.
• Pickett out, Trubisky in for the fourth down play. Najee doesn’t get in.
• On third down and three the Steelers show blitz, drop into their terrible zone and give up almost 20 yards.
• Again the defense can’t get off the field on 3rd down by giving up a long run when they had the guy stopped short.
• The way this game is going I’m starting to feel like an idiot for picking the Steelers to actually win this week.
• Roberts is out and Kenny Pickett is doubtful for the rest of the game.
• Cardinals down to the Steelers 25.
• There was no reason for the officials to pick up the flag for illegal downfield, but they do anyway. Why did you throw the flag if it wasn’t a foul? It was clearly a foul.
• Cardinals now have a first in goal. The Steelers have been unable to cover their tight end today.
• The tight end for the Cardinals drops the ball in the end zone the officials confer and then call touchdown. It was a catch looking at replay. If the Steelers do not start covering the TE they will get killed this game.
• Wow, I am extremely surprised but the touchdown was overturned and ruled incomplete.
• It didn’t matter as the Steelers still didn’t cover the tight end and give up a touchdown on the next play. Cardinals 10, Steelers 3.
• The Steelers going for it with Trubisky on 4th and goal from the one ends up biting them as the defense gives up a 99-yard drive for a touchdown at the end of the half.
• Hearing a lot of boo birds at the half. Cardinals 10, Steelers 3.

3rd Quarter

• Well, that was a fun halftime. Thunderstorms brought about a delay to the start of the second half. Delayed over a half an hour.
• Isaac Seumalo ruled out for the second half.
• The Steelers defense holds to a three and out. Interesting to see what the offense is going to look like now.
• Hard to call it a great start when Chuks doesn’t find his way onto the field and the Steelers have to burn a timeout.
• Steelers face a third and nine and it is absolutely silent at the stadium. There is no energy at all.
• Muuuuttthh! Makes the first down.
• Steelers have moved the ball out, but a penalty is going to now put them at first and 15.
• Low snap to Trubisky and instead of falling on it he tries to pick it up is hit and fumbles. Cardinals recover.
• Cardinals are now at first and goal. If they score a touchdown here I don’t think the Steelers offense has enough to come back in this game.
• Watt with a sack!
• Porter gets flagged for PI in the end zone. Cardinals now have it first and goal on the one.
• James Conner scores a touchdown. Cardinals 17, Steelers 3. Go ahead and put it down this one’s going into the loss column and it is a bad loss at home to a 2-10 team.
• And they have suspended play again for weather.
• It is now 4:30 and the game is finally back on.
• Steelers get to midfield, but a false start penalty puts them to third and 14.
• Thankfully we have George Pickens to do George Pickens things and makes the first down.
• The promising drive comes to a halt and Boswell will come on to try a field goal.  To top it off Boswell misses the kick. Can anything go right for the Steelers today?
• James Conner fumbles the hand off, and no Steeler is able to fall on it, and Conner gets back to it.
• For the second time the Cardinals fumble the ball and are able to fall on it.
• That’s the end of the third quarter. Cardinals 17, Steelers 3.

4th Quarter

• They go to an early Renegade between quarters at Acrisure stadium.
• Cardinals are able to make the third down in 12. I expect a few fans left at the stadium will soon head for the exit.
• Murray scrambles throws deep to Moore for the touchdown. Luckily for the Steelers there was a hold on the play.
• The Cardinals punt but pin the Steelers inside the 5-yard line.
• Watt is hurt and the Steelers entire season is now slipping away.
• Steelers barely get the third down play off, The offensive line doesn’t block anybody and Trubisky is lucky to get rid of the ball.
• For the all the excitement there was for the Steelers after last week’s game, they now look worse than they have all season.
• Let me correct that as things get even worse with a face mask on the punt, putting the Cardinals starting position already in field goal range.
• Another big play to the tight end. The Steelers can’t cover a tight end to save their life.
• Uninspired football. That is what I am seeing from the Steelers. Uninspired football.
• Conner goes in for the touchdown. The Steelers did have the best red zone defense in the league, but they are batting a thousand today as the Cardinals have scored a touchdown every time they’ve hit the red zone. Cardinals 24, Steelers 3.
• The Steelers didn’t even realize that going out of bounds at this point in the fourth quarter doesn’t stop the clock and they huddle.
• Diontae gets a TD, but it is just a garbage time TD. Cardinals 24, Steelers 10.
• I’m not sure if it’s good or bad that T.J. Watt is back on the field. At this point I would just keep him out and make sure he doesn’t hurt himself.
• And the Steelers give up a 30-yard run to James Conner.
• And now to top it off the Steelers get flagged for 12 men on the field. Is this a bad dream?
• Wow. They just flashed up on the screen that the Cardinals have converted 10 of their last 12 third downs. The Steelers defense definitely did not show up to play today.
• James Conner runs for another first down, going over a hundred yards for the day and the Cardinals will be able to line up in victory formation.
• The Steelers have a short week and a lot to reflect on during that short amount of time.
• The Steelers also have a lot of injured players after this game. And you can better believe you will not see me pick the Steelers to win on Thursday night.

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 14 and the Patriots. Make sure you get your voice heard in the comments below.