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 Wild Card Playoff matchup against the Bills. Let’s get this going, HERE……WE……GO!!!

1st Quarter

• Bills win the toss and defer to the second half. Steelers receive the opening kickoff.
• Jaylen Warren with a nice gain on the screen pass.
• After the initial first down for the Steelers to drive stalls near midfield. Steelers to punt.
• That was a really short punt by Big Press, only 30 yards. I think his days in a Steeler uniform are limited.
• Bills quickly move the ball to midfield. Haven’t seen anything worth noting from the defense as of yet.
• Another play for 10 yards and I’d say the defense is looking quite porous right now.
• The Bills are into the red zone. Probably averaging 7 to 8 yards a play.
• That touchdown pass doesn’t get much easier. As easy as the Bills move that ball down the field I think this game is over halfway through the first quarter. Bills 7, Steelers 0.
• Two Najee runs and a pass nowhere near George Pickens and the Steelers will punt again. This is going to get away from them quickly.
• Well, Patrick Peterson can’t tackle. Had Allen dead to rights on the blitz and didn’t take him to the ground. Allen picks up eight.
• Thankfully that didn’t hurt the Steelers and the Bills will punt.
• Did George Pickens really fumble that ball? We’re going to find out as the Bills have challenged it.
• It was a fumble. Buffalo in business. Kyle is taking his cue and is headed to the basement in banishment.
• One play from Buffalo for a touchdown. Tight end right down the seam being covered by no one. Bills 14, Steelers 0.
• The Steelers offense quickly to third down and nine. If they do not convert this I would love to turn the game off. But I will be here for all of you and we can all suffer together.
• Ball was deflected yet again. Steelers to punt. Another short punt from Harvin.
• Nice tackle by Minkah on that play. Bills will go three and out.
• Big play to Muth, he ends up fumbling it but luckily it goes out of bounds, but I bet this one gets challenged by Buffalo as well. I think it’s a fumble recovered by the Bills.
• The Steelers luck out and keep possession of the ball.
• The end of the first quarter Bill’s 14, Steelers 0.

2nd Quarter

• And Mason takes a huge sack.
• They do get it back to third and manageable.
• Muth runs over a defensive back to pick up the first down.
• Diontae is going to pick up a flag on what is probably an illegal contact. Check that that is an interference call. Steelers set up with a first and goal.
• Well the Steelers showed some life and then Mason throws an interception in the end zone.
• A couple of first downs and the Bills are now near midfield.
• On third down and 8th the Steelers allowed Josh Allen to break contain and run 52 yards for a touchdown. That’s awful. Bills 21, Steelers 0.
• On 3rd and 8 Mason is pressured and hit, three and out for the Steelers again.
• It is useless having Patrick Peterson try to tackle anybody. I have seen him miss three tackles so far this game.
• Buffalo to attempt to 49 yard field goal. The Steelers block the field goal.
• Steelers into the Red zone.
• Diontae Johnson comes up with the Steelers touchdown. That was very much needed here at the end of the first half. Bills 21, Steelers 7.
• Markus Golden finally gets home for a sack of Josh Allen.
• That’s the half. Bill’s 21, Steelers 7.

3rd Quarter

• On 2nd and 10 Highsmith gets through for a sack. Third and long for the Bills.
• Bills complete the third down but short. They will punt.
• One completion to Diontae and the Steelers are in Bills territory.
• Mount Washington picks up his second false start on this drive.
• The Steelers drive stalls and Boswell will come on to attempt a field goal. It’s good. Bill’s 21, Steelers 10.
• Bills get to 4th and one and are going to go for it. And I think they got it on second effort.
• The defense needed to hold the momentum and get off the field, but they have been unable to. The Bills are in Steelers territory.
• Third down and nine but the Steelers were unable to make the stop.
• Elandon Roberts made a nice play to break up a touchdown pass.
• Bills attempt to field goal. It’s good. Bills 24, Steelers 10.
• Steelers quickly face a third and long.
• George Pickens comes up with the catch in the middle of the field for a first down.
• Steelers end the third quarter on a nice run by George Pickens on the end around. Bill’s 24, Steelers 10.

4th Quarter

• The Steelers have entered the red zone.
• For about the fourth time in the game I’ve seen snowballs come flying at Steelers receivers as they’ve tried to make catches. Bill’s fans are classless.
• Diontae makes the catch and run to pick up the first down. First and goal Steelers.
• Mason to Calvin Austin III for the touchdown! Bills 24, Steelers 17.
• A dumb penalty by Dan Moore will back the kickoff up 15 yards. That will lead to decent field position for the Bills I’m sure.
• Between giving up some plays and some penalties, the Bills are right back down and in the red zone again.
• Minkah went high and missed the tackle allowing the Bills player to score. Bills 31, Steelers 17.
• Steelers facing a big third and three. Mason avoided the sack, but Jaylen Warren was only able to get back to the line of scrimmage.
• Steelers facing a fourth and three in their own territory and will go for it with under 5 minutes to play.
• The pass falls incomplete to Pickens. I think the Bills got away with one there.
• Seeing what I’ve seen from Patrick Peterson in this game, the Steelers would be best to probably move on from him. He is awful at tackling.
• Bills get to a first in goal. Game nearing the 2-minute warning.
• The Bills will attempt a field goal at the 2-minute warning. It was missed badly. Score remains Bills 31, Steelers 17.
• The Steelers will not win this game, so their playoff drought continues in terms of wins, but I am happy to see that the Steelers made it to the playoffs and were at least a bit competitive in this game.
• Final score Bills 31, Steelers 17. The worst part about it is that I will not get to watch another Steelers game until the 2024 season kicks off.

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 wrap up the Steelers 2023 season. Make sure you get your voice heard in the comments below.