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 3 game against Atlanta. Let’s get this going, HERE……WE……GO!!!

1st Quarter

• The Steelers receive the kickoff, and after not having much laundry on the field for them in the first two weeks they start with a special teams penalty on Mark Robinson.
• Matt Canada rounding into mid-season form became very predictable with that jet sweep.
• Diontae Johnson with a nice catch from Pickett on third down. Diontae got open and Kenny laid it in perfectly.
• There’s George Pickens doing George Pickens things.
• And Najee goes in for the touchdown. The Steelers first team scores a touchdown yet again. Steelers 7, Falcons 0.
• Elandon Roberts blows through the line for a TFL.
• Watt?!?!!!
• And the defense holds to a three and out. That has been a theme this preseason. The offense scores the defense holds the three and out. I like that.
• Another nice return by Calvin Austin III. The Steelers are set up in good position.
• Screen play gains 16. Already in the red zone.
• Najee made a gain for positive yards there, but Kendrick Green got blown up again.
• Jaylen Warren for a touchdown. This first team offense has yet to be stopped. Steelers 14, Falcons 0.
• Steelers pick up another penalty for too many men on the field. Time to clean that up.
• The defense holds up and forces another punt. Austin with just an average return on this one. I guess he can’t break all of them big.
• Kenny Pickett’s night is over. He goes perfect for the preseason in terms of drives to touchdowns.
• Ant Mac with a beautiful cut in the backfield that then broke for 33 yards.
• Connor Heyward with a carry up the middle.
• Kyle says “there is Trubisky with his pocket presence” as Trubisky get sacked.
• Boswell kicks through a field goal. Steelers 17, Falcons 0.
• The defense quickly gets the Falcons to a third down.
• That’s the end of the first quarter. Steelers 17, Falcons 0.

2nd Quarter

• Keeanu Benton with a nice surge and a tackle for loss.
• Chandon Sullivan on the blitz gets a piece of that pass. He is having quite the preseason.
• The defense holds and Calvin Austin will be back for another return. Not too much on that one.
• The Mitch is back…. out there at quarterback.
• Three Ant Mac runs makes the line to gain.
• The second unit offensive line is not opening holes nearly like the first unit was. Probably why they’re the second unit.
• Steelers get bailed out on 3rd down with a holding penalty on the defense. Keeps the drive alive.
• Steelers draw another penalty on a third down. And now have a first and goal.
• Ant Mac with a touchdown run. Each of the top three running backs for the Steelers now has a touchdown in this game. Steelers 24, Falcons 0.
• Elandon Roberts with a quarterback sack.
• Every time Calvin Austin touches the ball you just have a feeling that he could break it for a touchdown.
• Gunner O. breaks a tackle to pick up a first down.
• Trubisky can still run. That was a nice scramble.
• The line holds, but Trubisky holds the ball forever and takes another sack which takes the Steelers out of field goal range.
• Nice job by Dez Fitzpatrick catching that punt inside the 5-yard line to pin the Falcons deep.
• Joey Porter Jr. called for pass interference. Get that out of his system in the preseason.
• Very dominant first half for the Steelers. Steelers 24, Falcons 0.

3rd Quarter

• Nick Herbig!!! With another sack!
• Toby Ndukwe was not able to get the quarterback on the ground and it cost the Steelers a first down given up.
• FUMBLE!!!!  Mark Robinson causes it, Kenny Robinson recovers it. Steelers fend off a threat.
• Xazavian Valladay is a nice runner.
• The drive stalls near midfield and the punting unit is on.
• Booming punt by Braden Mann. Good coverage to boot and the Falcons are backed up inside the 20.
• There has been no weaknesses in any facet of the Steelers game tonight.
• Armon Watts almost gets a sack, but it does lead to a 4th down.
• Got to bring the chain gang out on the 3rd down run. Steelers are just short.
• That ends the third quarter. Steelers 24, Falcons 0.

4th Quarter

• Mason Rudolph with the quarterback sneak on 4th down. The Steelers keep the drive alive.
• That next play went absolutely nowhere.
• Rudolph knew he had a free play after having his face mask grabbed and did a nice job completing for 15 or 16 yards and tack on 15 more.
• The drive then stalls. Pooch punt pins the Falcons inside the 10.
• Mark Robinson has really made improvements in his pass defense. It is by no means perfect, but it is improved.
• The Steelers run defense continues to be solid, no matter what unit is on the field.
• The defense holds, and after the Falcons false start on 4th down they decide instead to punt.
• A quick three and out brings out the punt team.
• The Falcons go for it on 4th and 1, Ndukwe slashes in and blows it up for a loss. Steelers get it back.
• B.T. Potter misses a field goal after a three and out.
• Quincy Roche with a strip sack. Ndukwe with the recovery.
• The offense goes four and out, I can’t believe that Atlanta took a time out before the fourth down play.
• Ndukwe with a sack!
• The Steelers pitch a shutout. Final score Steelers 24, Falcons 0.
• The Steelers have to be happy with what they saw this preseason. Both the first team offense and defense played very well. And all units of the defense played extremely well in the preseason.
• The coaching staff is going to have a very difficult time getting this roster down to 53 players.
• Bring on the 49ers. Time for some regular season 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, you just don’t have to go to another room because of screaming at the television (sometimes Kyle does). Now time to process it, some quick analyzing for the Scho Bro Show, and then put it behind me as we move toward the real deal, Week 1 at Acrisure Stadium. Make sure you get your voice heard in the comments below.