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 or nephew Warren 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 15 against the Eagles. Let’s get this going, HERE……WE……GO!!!

1st Quarter

• Philadelphia wins the toss. Steelers to receive the opening kickoff.
• A short run and an even shorter pass and the Steelers face third and seven.
• Kyle says that’s one of the dumbest opening drives he’s ever seen the Steelers have, as Russ throws it deep on third down and seven incomplete. Steelers to punt.
• Steelers give up a long pass to the tight end up the seam. Great start for the Steelers (sarcasm).
• Three passes for the Eagles and three completions. Eagles are now in the red zone. Not sure the offense nor the defense is here for the Steelers to start this game.
• The defense stiffens in the red zone and forces a field goal try. It’s good. Eagles 3, Steelers 0.
• Two runs for a total of 3 yards and the Steelers are faced with third and seven for their second straight series.
• Pass is tipped at the line and the Steelers offense looked inept for the second straight series. Another Matt Canada special.
• Dante Jackson has to do a better job breaking down and keeping his hips square to that receiver. The Steelers could have been off the field but instead the Eagles drive continues.
• Fumble! Steelers recover!
• T.J. Watt punches the ball away from Hurts. Beanie Bishop recovers!
• Russ throws the first down pass out of bounds. The second down pass is tipped at the line. Steelers get the ball and quickly go to 3rd and 10.
• Russ get sacked on 3rd down. The defense does its job and gets the ball for the offense, but that’s three straight drives where the offense looks very junior varsity.
• Big hit on the punt, Eagles fumble and the Steelers recover. Let’s see if the offense can continue to go backwards.
• Mark Robinson with the big hit on the return.
• After a nice first down play, a fight breaks out and there are flags everywhere.
• I will not write the comment Kyle had in terms of both penalties being on the Steelers there. But I will say this, the offense is inept enough. They do not need to shoot themselves in the foot like this.
• So on second down and 18 the Steelers throw a 3-yard out. They’ve basically thrown up the white flag and will kick a field goal. A replay assist makes that incomplete so the Steelers don’t even get the three yards.
• The Steelers have exactly one yard of offense so far in the game. Boswell comes into attempt the field goal. It’s good. Steelers 3, Eagles 3.
• Eagles drive is quickly in the field goal range. Check that- inside the 10 now.
• Boy that was an easy drive for a touchdown. Eagles 10, Steelers 3.
• That touchdown drive took only six plays.
• On second and nine the Steelers get hit with a motion penalty. Could this quarter please just end.
• Very next play Dan Moore gets flagged for holding. The offense continues to go the wrong direction.
• The Steelers end the quarter with three penalties on offense compared to only two net yards.
• Eagles 10, Steelers 3.

2nd Quarter

• So what is the chance the Steelers can convert a third and 18? Yeah, zero.
• Good return from the Eagles. They start on the Pittsburgh 45. This game is going to get out of hand really quick.
• Eagles driving. It’s almost painful to watch.
• Donte Jackson down.
• Again all I can say is it’s too easy. Eagles 17, Steelers 3. This game is over.
• Anyone surprised they picked on James Pierre?
• Skowronek finally gets the first down for the Steelers.
• Fields comes in. Gets a nice run and a 15-yard penalty on top of it.
• Steelers with another first down. First and goal.
• You know it’s not going to be a good run when Mount Washington is on his backside in the backfield.
• Steelers now with 3rd and goal on the 9.
• Muuuuuth! Touchdown Steelers! Boswell is lucky that the extra point doinks through. Eagles 17, Steelers 10.
• T.J. with a sack on second down.
• Mr. Watt with his second straight sack.
• The Steelers let close to 30 seconds run off the clock before they call a timeout before the punt. Poor clock management Coach Tomlin.
• Short punt. Steelers take over around the Eagles 45. Some more points before the half would be nice.
• Muth fumbles it but luckily got it back.
• After sitting here listening to “he who shall not be named” talk about Russell Wilson needing to not take a sack or turn the ball over, Russ takes a sack.
• The Steelers get some of that yardage back and Boswell will attempt a long field goal. Boswell good from 49 yards. Eagles 17, Steelers 13.
• Highsmith with a sack!
• End of the first half. Eagles 17, Steelers 13.

3rd Quarter

• Eagles start with the ball.
• On that second down scramble did Joey Porter Jr. even look to try to make a play and keep him short of the first down?
• Just allowing first downs way too easily.
• Tomlin chooses to decline a penalty that would have made it first and 30. That turns out to be a mistake as the Steelers give up 21 yards on the next play.
• The defense finally gets off the field. Eagles to attempt a long field goal. Well check that as Montavious Adams draws a personal foul penalty by running through the long snapper. Stupid penalty. Should have never happened.
• On second and nine Philly gets flagged for holding.
• The defense does its job in Philly will again line up for a field goal. It’s good. Eagles 20, Steelers 13.
• Flea flicker is complete to Calvin Austin III.
• A couple of decent runs gets the Steelers in the field goal range. But they really need a touchdown here.
• Well that tossed to Najee didn’t go well as he couldn’t catch it. Eagles recover the fumble.
• The pitch was fine. Najee just didn’t catch it.
• On third down the Steelers give Hurts a huge lane to throw the ball through to a wide open receiver. Too easy.
• Steelers defense just can’t get themselves off the field.
• Eagles are in the red zone and have held the football most of the third quarter.
• On third down the Eagles throw a swing pass with two Steelers there to make the tackle and both of them miss. If there was any reason for the Steelers to lose this game that play was it.
• End of the third quarter, Eagles 20, Steelers 13.

4th Quarter

• A couple tush-push plays gets the Eagles into the end zone. The turnover really hurt the Steelers. Eagles 27, Steelers 13.
• Zach Frazier gets penalized for tripping which will cost the Steelers 15 yards. At this point I just assumed see the clock run and finish this game out. The Steelers really have not played well enough to win.
• Russ has a third pass tipped at the line.
• Steelers are faced with the fourth and seven, but will punt it away instead of going for it.
• Personal foul penalty on the Eagles during the punt will give the Steelers a first down.
• During the break they took a look and decided the penalty happened after the kick had left the punter’s foot so Philly keeps the ball and the penalty is about 2 yards. That’s ridiculous.
• That busted up play by the Eagles that actually ends up getting yards perfectly sums up the Steelers day.
• Terrible tackling by the Steelers today. Joey Porter Jr gets juked out of his shoes for about the fifth time today.
• When Hurts has 11 seconds to stand in the pocket to throw the ball of course he’s going to eventually find someone wide open.
• And to add insult to injury for the Steelers T.J. Watt is now on the ground looks like he has a sprained ankle or an achilles.
• Steelers play zone and hold them half a yard short but of course Philly is going to sneak it here.
• The Eagles convert. Could we just let them take some knees and run the game out?
• On second and 20 are we that surprised that James Pierre gave up 21 yards to A.J. Brown?
• With 3 minutes left to go in the game the Steelers have run 41 offensive plays to the Eagles 71. If that’s not the stat of the game I’m not sure what is. Oh wait it does get better. The Eagles have basically doubled up the time of possession in the game on the Steelers.
• The Steelers punted from Eagles territory with 10 minutes to go in the game and the offense never touched the ball again.
• Final score: Eagles 27, Steeles 13
• The Steelers had 20 minutes time of possession compared to 40 for the Eagles. They were completely dominated.
• I did not expect the Steelers to win this game, but it would have been nice to see them at least put up some sort of fight.

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 so I can ready myself for the Week 16 game against the Ravens. Make sure you get your voice heard in the comments below.