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 6 against the Raiders. Let’s get this going, HERE……WE……GO!!!

1st Quarter

• Big Bro is out of town for a fishing trip, so it’ll be a Li’l Bro providing the reactions this week.
• Raiders win the toss and defer. It will be the first time this season the Steelers start on offense if I recall correctly.
• So will the Steelers buck their recent trend and start aggressively? Notice I didn’t say well or fast, I said aggressively.
• Jaylen Warren touches the ball for the first time as he returns the opening kickoff and almost gets to the 30.
• Steelers decide getting first downs on first down is a good thing as Najee Harris takes the short pass and goes for about 12 yards.
• Steelers go up tempo and have another double-digit gain, this time on a Najee Harris run.
• Of course the Steelers try the pitch to Harris which has been a disaster most of the season and it’s almost another disaster as they luckily gain one yard.
• On third and short the Steelers run the option play and Jaylen Warren gets just enough.
• The Steelers try the toss play again, this time with Warren but it loses a couple. That feels like a constant wasted play.
• A dump off to Warren is another negative play and the Steelers now face third and 15. I feel something safe for a potential FG coming.
• Pretty much called it as the dump off gets 8 yards and the Steelers bring on Boswell. It’s money from 52 yards and the Steelers have a 3–0 lead.
• There was a lot to get excited about early in that drive as the Steelers seemed aggressive until they had back-to-back plays going in the wrong direction.
• After a pass on the first play, three runs have the Raiders with another first down across midfield.
• The blitz gets there just late and the Raiders convert another 10 yards.
• It’s been all tight ends in the Raiders passing game so far.
• The Raiders know how to block that toss play, but the Steelers sure don’t.
• Raiders get the ball on the cusp of the goal line after nobody covers the running back out of the backfield.
• Steelers stuff them for a loss when they line up big, But the next play the Raiders spread them wide and run right up the middle. 7–3 Vegas.
• The Steelers defense didn’t give up any third down conversions as the Raiders never even reached a third down on the entire drive. The Steelers didn’t deliver a punch in the mouth, they got their jaw jacked.
• After a false start to open the drive, the Steelers lose 5 more yards on the first play as nobody picks up the blitzer on the run play.
• The Steelers have a third and long which Pickens can’t bring in. It’s the first three and out by the offense as they continue the slow starts.
• There’s a Patrick Queen sighting! He throws the screen pass for a loss.
• Keeanu Benton knocks down the pass and the Raiders face their first third down of the game. Will we see a four-man rush with a soft zone?
• It didn’t matter as the Raiders run a draw and the Steelers force the three and out right back.
• Fields takes a deeper shot on the sidelines to Pickens who can’t bring it in. I like taking the shot though.
• With immediate pressure, Fields turns it up field and runs for the first down.
• That’s the end of the first quarter. The Raiders defense is flying around while the Steelers seem to be on their heels. Vegas leads at 7–3.

2nd Quarter

• The Steelers start the second quarter with a holding call. For those complaining that this happens to Watt all the time, Crosby did not rip his arm through hence why that should have been called.
• Back-to-back completions to Pickens and the Steelers have a first down across midfield.
• Najee Harris broke a couple tackles, almost lost the ball, and then carried people longer for a tough 15-yard run. He’s playing the hardest on offense early on.
• Plenty of time for Fields on back-to-back plays and he can’t find the open receivers. Now it’s another third and long.
• That’s three-straight high passes and Boswell crushes it from 49 yards. 7–6 Raiders.
• Steelers force the Raiders to third down but it’s a short one this time. Even though the Raiders complete the pass, DeShon Elliott keeps it to a 1-yard gain and the Steelers force another three and out.
• Holding penalties on the offense are setting them back again. Maxx Crosby is a beast and sometimes those things happen. Gotta clean it up though.
• Fields scrambles and throws a very accurate ball to Calvin Austin for a great conversion on third and long.
• There’s another holding penalty. Maybe this statement should be my cut and pace component.
• Did I just hear them say “draw?“ and hear the response “yeah” before Justin Fields runs the quarterback draw for a first down?
• That was an awful play and near disaster. The pitch, pitch back, and pitch back again to Fields has him get sacked for 13 yard loss as soon as he got the ball. Yikes.
• It’s not like third and 23 was enough, and the Steelers take the delay of game. So now let’s see what they dial up on third and 28.
• The Steelers attempt a 3-yard pass which gets broken up. At least this punt wasn’t on a three and out.
• The Steelers overcame both holding penalties on that drive, but couldn’t overcome the 13-yard loss on the attempted trick play.
• There is the Steelers defense showing up. Throw the Raiders for a loss of three on their first run of the drive.
• That 1st down loss means nothing when no one covers the tight end and the Raiders pick up the first down on the next play.
• Minkah Fitzpatrick down on the sideline. That’s really not good.
• T.J. Watt punches it out and Keeanu Benton falls on it! Got to turn this take away into points. And I’m not talking about three.
• Fields throws an interception but the Raiders have their first penalty of the game for roughing the passer. Can’t land with all your weight on the quarterback as they’ll call that every time. His instant reaction to try to say he didn’t do it showed that he did.
• I love the Steelers bringing in three tight ends and then spreading out wide. Unfortunately no one was open but Fields scrambles for 7 yards.
• Going for here on fourth down is gutsy. I like it as long as they convert.
• They went for the pass but Fields keeps it to run it in. That’s the option he gives you that you don’t get otherwise.
• I don’t really like going for two in the first half. If they would have converted I would have been fine. But they didn’t. Steelers lead 12–7.
• Steelers give up a couple passes but keep the Raiders to nothing more than a failed Hail Mary. Steelers lead 12–7 but the Raiders get the ball coming out of the half.

3rd Quarter

• Watt drops the run for a loss on first down.
• The Raiders just get enough for their first third-down conversion of the game.
• The Raiders get a long pass connection but it’s called back on an obvious hold where Cam Heyward gets taken down.
• The Raiders try to dump it off on third and long and it falls incomplete. The Steelers are about to get their first offensive possession of the second half.
• It’s a block! The Steelers get another splash play as Jeremiah Moon busts through and the Steelers take over inside the 10!
• That was almost a disaster. It was a backward throw that Warren couldn’t handle.
• Fields completes for the touchdown, but anyone watching on TV knew he was across the line. It’s a loss of down and the Steelers settle for a field goal. 15–7 Steelers.
• Steelers force another three and out. Let’s see how this punt goes.
• Calvin Austin faked them out again and gets the touchback.
• After Fields does a great job avoiding the sack, Najee Harris busts off a big run on the next play. Harris is having his best day of the season.
• Man, the Steelers cannot protect at all. That was a huge whiff by Dan Moore to give up the super-fast sack. Third and 18 coming.
• The Steelers dump it off with nothing open down field, and Crosby gets called for roughing the passer to extend the drive. They called it on Crosby but it wasn’t him.
• Oh no. Zach Frazier is now down. This offensive line is getting crushed by injuries.
• That’s how you run the toss play! The Steelers stick with it despite my objections and Harris takes it 36 yards for the touchdown!
• It wasn’t until the ball hit the ground on the goal line that it came out, that’s why the call stands. Boz knocks it through for a 22–7 Steelers lead.
• That was the Steelers first touchdown of the season that wasn’t accounted for by Justin Fields.
• Big pass play by the Raiders. Steelers lucky they didn’t get flagged at the end with Roberts coming in to clean it up.
• Steelers lose the running back coming out of the backfield for another touchdown. But he wasn’t the only one who was down the field and the Raiders get called for the penalty which ends the third quarter. Steelers lead 22–7.

4th Quarter

• Raiders almost punched it in as his knee is down just short.
• Watt does it again at the 2-yard line! DeShon Elliott picks it up and it’s Steelers ball!
• Mt. Warshington fights for the first down!
• Running up the middle is not the same without Frazier in there.
• Fields finds Austin for a third-down conversion.
• That toss is feast or famine. There was another famine where they lose 4 yards.
• That’s the second delay of game penalty on the offense. Both of them were on third down.
• Raiders bring a ton of pressure and the quick throw falls incomplete. Steelers punt it back.
• Cam Hayward gets the sack on first down!
• Picked off! The Raiders try to make something happen on third and 20 from their own end zone and Donte Jackson tracks it down and runs it back inside the 10!
• The next play Fields takes the bootleg in himself. If the Steelers don’t go for two in the first half, they hit 30 points. Instead it’s a 29–7 lead.
• Boy, it’s nice to not have a heart-attack ending to a Steelers game when it’s in their favor.
• The Steelers defense is willing to give up yards as long as it runs clock. Drives me nuts, but it’s not an absolutely terrible thing.
• I’m seeing some different names out there for the Steelers right now. James Pierre in the secondary. Other outside linebackers getting some play. Even though there’s five minutes left.
• The Steelers give up the touchdown on fourth down. Picked on Beanie Bishop. Steelers blow up the two-point conversion attempt and lead 29–13.
• Minkah snags the onside kick out of the air and return it a few yards.
• Steelers take a shot on second down and connect with George Pickens. Raiders challenge it but lose. That’s a 31-yard gain.
• Fields takes the sack on third down rather than force something he doesn’t need to at this stage. Boswell connects and it’s 32–13 with less than four minutes to go.
• That’s a pick-six if Jackson can pull that one in.
• Steelers take over on downs and look to run out the clock.
• And with that first down inside of two minutes, it’s victory formation.
• 3, 2, 1, WIN!
• It wasn’t perfect, and there’s still plenty to work on, but getting a decisive win on the road is never a bad thing.
• That’s it everybody. 32–13 Steelers. Big Bro should be back next week to bring you all the fun on Sunday Night Football.

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 (Warren too), 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 7 matchup against the Jets. Make sure you get your voice heard in the comments below.