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 Wildcard Weekend game against the Ravens. Let’s get this going, HERE……WE……GO!!!

1st Quarter

• The Steelers won the toss but have chosen to receive the ball this week. Do we feel a three and out coming?
• Muth drops the first down pass.
• Second down will be a run. Actually surprised they threw it to Mount Washington. Just shy of the sticks. Third and less than one.
• Fields in on 3rd down. Jaylen Warren runs for the first down.
• After one first down the Steelers drive stalls and they will punt.
• Minkah got juked out of his socks by Lamar on that third down run.
• I don’t care what anyone in Baltimore says that was not a late hit. That was a totally legal tackle.
• Ravens are moving the ball at will.
• The Steelers defense is playing like garbage.
• Way too easy for the Ravens on 3rd and 13. They score the touchdown. Kyle says game over. Ravens 7, Steelers 0.
• The Ravens look more like the team playing with house money as everybody said the Steelers should feel this week.
• Thirteen plays, 95 yards and a touchdown. That was terrible defense.
• Wow, the Steelers come out and run a flea flicker and take a sack. Awful.
• So what do the Steelers do on offense? How about three and out. Nothing has changed this week. It’s the same as the past four.
• Pierre ends up with a penalty for going out of bounds and then being the first player to touch the ball on a punt. Ravens will start at the 20.
• Third down and three and the defense gives up almost 25.
• End of the first quarter. Raven 7, Steelers 0.

2nd Quarter

• I thought the Ravens might be able to convert a third and 13, but the defense holds them short and the Ravens punt.
• Here’s a great idea one third down and two… let’s run a route that doesn’t get two yards. Why do they always throw short of the sticks on third down?
• So the Steelers on 4th and a couple inches end up having to punt.
• The defense can’t stop the run, the defense can’t stop the pass.
• The defense is getting battered by the Ravens running game. It looks like the fourth quarter but it’s only the second.
• Lamar has all day in the pocket, then finally pulls it down and runs for about 20 yards. There’s a hold on the Steelers to boot.
• The Ravens have run for over 120 yards already, and the Steelers have 36 yards of offense total.
• This drive for the Ravens has been 11 plays all of which have been running plays.
• The Ravens have no problem running a toss play for big yards with Derrick Henry.
• Thirteen plays, 13 runs, and a Ravens touchdown. I will say it again this defense is trash. Ravens 14, Steelers 0.
• When first down is incomplete, what will the Steelers do? Run it on second down for two yards to face third and eight. All too familiar sight.
• The Steelers complete a deep ball on 3rd and 8, but Pickens pushed off and will be flagged for a penalty.
• Third and eight they threw it long, 3rd and 18 they throw it way short, which is waving the white flag. Garbage on top of garbage.
• Ravens look content to take the lead to the locker room as they get the ball to start the second half.
• The Steelers take a time out on 3rd down and 2 only to allow an easy catch for the first. Now the Ravens go hurry up.
• The Ravens are across midfield and take a timeout. They’re now going to get points before the half when it appeared they were willing to let the clock run out.
• The Ravens had two players next to each other at the soft spot in that zone and no Steelers went over to cover them.
• Herbig misses the sack and the Ravens complete the ball to Andrews for a big gain.
• The Ravens now have a first and goal.
• Lamar has all day and completes to a wide open running back who walks right into the end zone. The Ravens were willing to go into the locker room at 14-0, but the Steelers forced them into trying for points and gave them another 7. Ravens 21, Steelers 0.
• Steelers were out gained 308 to 59. Totally embarrassing. We’ll see if I come back for the second half or not.

3rd Quarter

• The Ravens are smartly already into milk the clock mode.
• The Steelers defense gets off the field after the Ravens chew 3 and 1/2 minutes off the clock and one first down.
• Steelers start with the ball inside their own 5 yard line.
• The Steelers first play is a run for no gain.
• Wilson throws low to Washington on second down. Terrible mechanics by Wilson there.
• Calvin Austin makes a nice catch and takes a huge hit, but the Steelers get a first down.
• Mike Williams with a nice catch down the sidelines for another first down.
• The very next play I noticed that Russ wanted to throw it to Muth; wouldn’t even try to throw it to anyone else.
• Wilson is a one read and then either check it down or throw it away.
• Van Jefferson with a touchdown catch. Ravens 21, Steelers 7.
• Wow, the Steelers actually get a sack of Lamar Jackson. Highsmith gets home.
• But the defense gives up a first down on the very next play. Second down and 20 and give up 21.
• That play by the Ravens was obvious to everyone before the snap, except the Steelers defense.
• Derrick Henry 44 yards for a touchdown. The defense has no heart right now. Ravens 28, Steelers 7.
• Nice to see George Pickens do some George Pickens things for a touchdown. Ravens 28, Steelers 14.
• The defense holds to a three and out.
• The Steelers run into the punter. That was stupid. It wouldn’t have given the Ravens a first down, so they decline it. But still why risk it?
• Pickens with the catch for the first down on third down and four.
• On second and 10 the Steelers completed for 1 yard. How’s third and nine sound?
• What do you get from the Steelers on third down and long? Rust takes a sack, Steelers will have to punt.
• End of the third quarter. Raven’s 28, Steelers 14.

4th Quarter

• Third down and three for the Ravens and the Steelers let the running back come out of the backfield and stand 4 yards down the field and no one within 8 yards of him.
• 4th down and one and Andrews carries for the Ravens for a first. Which didn’t matter anyway because the Steelers had 12 men on the field. Let’s just stack disasters.
• The defense does hold and force a punt.
• Steelers are in Ravens territory.
• But a false start and a sack and the Steelers are right back to their own territory.
• Third down and 22 and the Steelers gain 7. Now they’re going to go for it. I’d have tried for more than 7 yards if I was going to go for it on fourth down.
• That was a horrible call to try on 4th down there. What was the point?
• JPJ gets nailed for another holding penalty.
• The Steelers are using their timeouts, and I’m not really sure why at this point.
• The Ravens kneel on it, bring the Steelers end of season collapse to the end. Final score Ravens 28, Steelers 14.

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 way-too-long offseason. Make sure you get your voice heard in the comments below.