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 Week 3 Sunday Night matchup against the Raiders. Let’s get this going, HERE……WE……GO!!!

1st Quarter

• Steelers to receive the opening kickoff. Let’s see what kind of ridiculous plays Canada draws up to start the game.
• So the Steelers get it to third down and one. Line up in an obvious running formation, had Connor Heyward in the backfield, and the Raiders looked like they knew the handoff was going to Heyward.
• So Canada started the Steelers with a three and out.
• On the first four plays the best player by far was Big Press and his booming punt.
• Good defense by the Steelers forces their own three and out.
• James Pierre wipes out a great punt return by Austin. The worst part was there was no need for it, and it didn’t really impact the play.
• On his first pass attempt Kenny Pickett started freaking out as soon as he got the ball. That’s no way to play QB in the NFL.
• His second attempt he had Calvin Austin, but threw too high. Really worrying about KP8 moving forward. Steelers go three and out again.
• Got to love the Steelers soft zone that they love to play. I know the Raiders do.
• Minkah causes the fumble and T.J. Watt recovers. Kyle thinks he was down, probably going to be overturned.
• The Steelers pass defense is quite porous.
• On 4th & 1 why would the Raiders run it when they can throw it for a touchdown? Might as well wrap this one up it’s probably over now. Raider 7, Steelers 0.
• I have no clue what the Steelers are trying to accomplish on offense, I have no clue what the Steelers are trying to accomplish on defense. They are so confusing right now, they have no identity.
• Steelers quickly to another third and long. If it’s another three and out I think I’ll poke out my eye except for the fact I know I’ll end up poking out my eye.
• Well I was about to say holy crap as Kenny throws a long touchdown to Calvin Austin but I see a flag and I bet it’s coming back. Oh no, take that back. It’s holding on the defense. Touchdown Calvin Austin. Steelers 7, Raiders 7.
• T.J. Watt! Down goes the QB.
• That should have been a pick 6 by Kenny Pickett who threw it nowhere near a Steeler.
• I still can’t figure out why the Steelers line up under center and then run the ball, and never throw the ball. Talk about telegraphing the run.
• Pickens with his first catch for a first down.
• Let’s go with a slow developing run where the guy has his arms around Najee by the time we hand him the ball.
• Pickett gets sacked on third down and the Steelers will punt.
• End of the first quarter. Steelers 7, Raiders 7.

2nd Quarter

• So apparently the Steelers don’t have anybody who can guard Davante Adams.
• Again Davante Adams is left wide open
• Good thing they picked that flag up. It was awfully late.
• Levi Wallace with the interception!
• Muuuttthh!
• Steelers drive stalls and will end with a Boswell field goal attempt. Steelers 10, Raiders 7.
• The Steelers defense holds to a three and out. Raiders to punt.
• They had to throw flags on that throw to Calvin Austin.
• Great scramble by Pickett but a flag probably has that one coming back. Illegal shift is the call on George Pickens. Seeing the replay there is no excuse for that penalty.
• Pickett scrambles and makes the first down anyway.
• Hey I’ve got a great idea, run a play to a side where you’re not blocking anybody.
• That’s the 2-minute warning. The Steelers will set up to try another Boswell field goal.
• Boz knocks it through. Steelers 13, Raiders 7.
• Looks like the Steelers are going to play their famous soft zone and let the Raiders march right down the field before the half.
• The defense stiffens and T.J. gets another sack on 3rd down. Raiders to punt.
• The Steelers choose not to try to do anything with the football again before the half and just let the time run out. Two weeks in a row that they haven’t even tried to score points.
• End of the half Steelers 13, Raiders 7.

3rd Quarter

• Thought they were going to flag Cole Holcomb on that hit, and there was no reason to. Thank goodness they picked up that flag.
• The defense holds them to a three and out. Raiders to punt.
• Steelers manage one first down, but now face a big 3rd and 6. And it’s just George Pickens doing George Pickens things.
• And quickly the Steelers are right back to third down and seven. Kenny has to throw it away.
• Boswell on the try from 57 yards. Boz nails it! Steelers 16, Raiders 7.
• The Raiders have a plan on third down and one. Throw it to Adams and it’s an easy completion usually for a decent play.
• Patrick Peterson with an easy interception on a ball that Garoppolo should never have thrown.
• I like how Jaylen Warren set up the blocks on that quick screen.
• Muuuttthh! For the touchdown! Kyle says that was the best drive the Steelers put together all season. Steelers 23, Raiders 7.
• Did the Steelers offense just scored two touchdowns in the same game? Did Kenny pick it just throw a second touchdown in a game? Am I dreaming?
• Defense allowing the Raiders to get down the field way too easily.
• Keanu Benton gets his first NFL sack!
• End of the 3rd. Steelers 23, Raiders 7.

4th Quarter

• The Steelers get them to a fourth and five in the Raiders are going to go for it. Would love to see a stop here.
• The Steelers get that stop!
• The offense could have all but put this game away but instead go three and out, there’s a surprise.
• Big Press with another boomer.
• The Raiders with another nice play, but should have been a hold on the left tackle.
• Just tired of seeing the weak zone coverage all the time.
• I understand if you want to make them take some time off the clock, but the Steelers aren’t making them take much time off the clock to march right down the field.
• Marcus Golden gets home for the sack.
• Minkah nails Garoppolo, and they are going to hit him with a bogus flag for roughing the passer. He didn’t even wrap him up he just ran right through him.
• That was a case where the referees are told to throw the flag to protect quarterbacks and keep the games close.
• And the referees just gifted the Raiders a touchdown because of that bogus roughing call. That kind of stuff has really come to piss me off about the NFL.
• So there were multiple holds by the Raiders on the two-point conversion with no flags but they throw flags on the Steelers on the pass in the end zone. This is a bunch of crap.
• Easy conversion. Steelers 23, Raiders 15.
• When they come back from break and both Chris Collinsworth and Terry McCailly can’t figure out why they threw that flag on Minkah, I know they got it wrong.
• How much you want to bet the Steelers go three and out, take no time off the clock, and put the defense right back out on the field.
• It looks like the Steelers are going to be content to play in their fears and give the ball back to the Raiders.
• I think there could have been a flag there for interference on Muth. Instead it’s a Steelers three and out.
• I got a great idea. Let’s leave Devonte Adams wide open some more.
• The Steelers hold them to a fourth down try. The Raiders false start backs them up and are now going to attempt the field goal instead.
• Now it looks like the Steelers are going to get flagged for something. They get nailed for leverage and give up the first down.
• 4th and four around the 12-yard line and the Raiders are lining up for a field goal? Steelers 23, Raiders 18.
• Third down and two for the Steelers and they go empty backfield. Roll out pass to Allen Robinson and that will just about do it.
• The Steelers will punt with 23 seconds remaining. If there is a time we need a good punt from Big Press it’s here.
• Harvin crushed that punt. The Raiders muffed it but did recover.
• Wallace intercepts the pass for his second pick of the game. The Steelers will be in victory formation.
• 3-2-1- win!

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 move toward Week 4 and the Texans. Make sure you get your voice heard in the comments below.