Knee Jerk Reactions to the Steelers 19-10 Preseason Finale Win Over the Panthers

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 the Panthers. Let’s get this going, HERE……WE……GO!!!

1st Quarter

• Steelers to receive the opening kickoff.
• Thankful that I get the local feed and get to listen to Bob Pompiani and Charlie Batch.
• Steelers with a holding penalty on the kickoff.
• Jaylen Warren and Pat Freiermuth both are in the game to start tonight.
• Nice six-yard gain by Jaylen Warren called back because of a hold on Zach Frazier.
• Jaylen Warren fumbles, but luckily Roman Wilson falls on top of it. Jaylen needs to clean that up.
• Muth draws the PI flag on third down. That was really an easy call.
• 26-yard run by Kenneth Gainwell called back because of a hold on Muth.
• Luckily the penalty didn’t hurt as the Steelers gain 14.
• Steelers drive stalls, Johnston in to kick.
• Leal makes a nice play, but was lined up off sides.
• The Steelers start out with JPJ, Ramsey, and Slay all in the game.
• Ramsey then makes a nice play, but throws the guy to the ground at the end and gets a penalty.
• Luckily that penalty didn’t hurt too much. The defense holds and will force a field goal try. It’s good. Panthers 3, Steelers 0.
• The Steelers with a very unimpressive three and out.
• Peyton Wilson with a stick.
• Steelers get pressure and forcing completion. Force a punt.
• Back-to-back nice runs gets the Steelers closer to midfield.
• End of the first quarter. Panthers 3, Steelers 0.

2nd Quarter

• First play of the quarter Rudolph has a terrible read and throws an interception.
• Steelers looked like they would get a sack on third down but the quarterback escapes and completes for the first.
• Steelers get called for 12 men on the field. There have been some seriously sloppy mistakes in this game.
• Leal just misses the sack, but James Pierre picks off the pass in the end zone.
• Not good seeing Derrick Harmon taken off on a cart.
• Thompson to McCutcheon for the touchdown! Boswell with the extra point. Steeler 7, Panthers 3.
• Leal has played well tonight.
• Steelers could have gotten off the field but a defensive holding penalty keeps the drive going.
• The Steelers get pressure again but still can’t get a sack.
• The Steelers bring pressure on 3rd and goal, but someone forgot to cover a receiver. He was so wide open there was no one within 10 yards of him. Panthers 10, Steeler 7.
• A bomb from Thompson to Scotty Miller. Steelers will get to attempt to field goal. Sauls hits it as time runs out in the first half. Steelers 10, Panthers 10.

3rd Quarter

• Sawyer with a TFL on the first play
• Yahya Black finally gets the first sack of the game for the Steelers.
• Black again!!! FUMBLE!!! Steelers recover!
• Trey Sermon with a nice catch and run for a first down.
• On the next play Robert Woods holds. The penalties for the Steelers have really hurt them this game.
• Now a hold on McCollum. The Steelers are shooting themselves in the foot with penalties.
• Saul’s comes on to attempt a 50-yard field goal. It’s good! Steelers 13, Panthers 10.
• The defense gives up one first down but then holds. Panthers to punt. The run defense has been a lot better in the second half.
• Nice catch and run by Lew Nichols.
• He follows that up with a nice run up the middle. I think that one goes for nine yards.
• McCollum gets another penalty for a block in the back.
• End of the third quarter. Steelers 13, Panthers 10.

4th Quarter

• Steelers come up short on 3rd down and two, going for it. I like the thought here.
• McCollum gets called for a false start. That’s three penalties on him tonight.
• Sauls comes in and hits a 49-yard field goal. Steelers 16, Panthers 10.
• There the Steelers get through and have another sack of the quarterback on third down.
• Have no idea what was going on with the punt, penalty, re-punt with another penalty. I don’t know but the Steelers have the ball.
• Very nice run by Trey Sermon down to the 10-yard line.
• The Steelers can’t punch it into the end zone. Field goal try coming. It’s good. Steelers 19, Panthers 10.
• Steelers giving up yards, but the Panthers are only at midfield at the two minute warning.
• Also good to see Derrickk Harmon back out on the sidelines smiling and talking with Cam Hayward.
• The Panthers were content to just run the ball and let the time run out. Final score Steelers 19 Panthers 10.
• That’s it for the preseason. Let’s bring on the real 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 my screaming at the television (sometimes Kyle leaves the room). Now time to process it, do some quick analyzing for the Scho Bro Show, and then put it behind me as we move on quickly to prep for the real deal, REGULAR SEASON FOOTBALL!. Make sure you get your voice heard in the comments below.