Knee Jerk Reactions to the Steelers 31-25 Preseason Win Against the Jaguars

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 One game against the Jaguars. Let’s get this going, HERE……WE……GO!!!

1st Quarter

• I hope the actual game broadcast on KDKA is better than the pregame. Because right now the audio and the visual do not match up.
• Luckily that A/V matches now that Pompiani and Batch took over.
• Jags will receive the opening kickoff.
• Jags get to 4th and 1 and go for it and convert on a jet sweep.
• Nice hit by Thornhill.
• The Jags drive stalls around the 25 to force a field goal try. It’s good. Jags 3, Steelers 0.
• Mason P.I. starts at QB tonight.
• Roman Wilson for 19 yards on the first play.
• Another first down for the Steelers. Four plays and four passes so far.
• Troyal Fautanu with a hands to the face penalty.
• Touchdown Mount Washington!!! He then picks up an unsportsman-like penalty for dunking over the goal post. Ben Sauls hits the extra long extra point. Steelers 7, Jaguars 3.
• I wish I could say I was surprised that the third and long pass was completed for a first down in front of James Pierre, but I’m kind of used to that.
• End of the first quarter. Steeler 7, Jaguars 3.

2nd Quarter

• Cole Holcomb with a nice play on 3rd down to force a field goal attempt. It’s good. Steeler 7, Jaguars 6.
• Rudolph gets sacked, but I don’t think you can blame the offensive line there they held up for about 7 seconds and Rudolph didn’t throw the ball.
• Steelers will be forced to punt. Cam Johnston’s going to be the first to punt for the Steelers.
• Brandin Echols breakup a pass with a nice play.  That’s a couple nice plays for him. Forces a punt.
• Mason’s night is done as Skylar Thompson takes over at quarterback for the Steelers.
• The Steelers go three and out. This time Corliss Waitman will punt.
• Beanie Bishop makes a nice play on third down to force a Jaguars punt.
• Nice throw up the seam to Scotty Miller for a big gain.
• Nice catch by Max Hurleman to set the Steelers up with first and goal with just over 20 seconds to go in the half.
• Hurleman catches the touchdown on the very next play. Steelers 14, Jaguars 6.
• The Jags attempt and make a 70-yard field goal to end the half. Impressive. Steelers 14, Jaguars 9.

3rd Quarter

• Steelers face a 4th & 1 and are going for it. I don’t know as a running back why you line up that deep behind the line of scrimmage to take that hand off and then not make the first down.
• Cameron McCutcheon intercepts the pass, but a very very very late flag hits the Steelers for roughing the passer.
• Jags are now inside the 10-yard line.
• The Jaguars score touchdown. Pierre was beat again. Jaguars go for 2 and do not convert. Jaguars 15, Steelers 14.
• Steelers with a nice play down the field on 3rd & 11. Ke’Shawn Williams with the nice catch and run.
• Roc Taylor with a catch for the first down.
• The Steelers run a screen when the Jaguars blitzed. Trey Sermon goes in untouched for the Steeler touchdown. Steelers 21, Jaguars 15.
• The defense forces a three and out, getting the offense the football back.
• The Steelers are just putting together nice plays and our methodically moving the ball down the field.
• Roc Taylor with another nice catch for a first down.
• Evan Hull converts the third and one to give the Steelers a firsting goal at the six.
• On 3rd and goal Skyler Thompson is sacked and fumbles, but Evan Hull was able to recover it to give the Steelers a chance at a field goal. That play ended the third quarter with the Steelers leading the Jaguars 21-15.

4th Quarter

• Ben Sauls hits a field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter. Steelers 24, Jaguars 15.
• Kyler McMichael has missed two tackles on this drive that has given up a lot of yards. You don’t make a team that way.
• He does come back and almost intercept the ball.
• Jaguars now have it first and goal.
• The Steelers could not get the runner on the ground and give up a touchdown. Steelers 24, Jaguars 22.
• Lew Nichols with a couple of nice runs and the Steelers are in field goal range
• A penalty on the Jaguars keeps the Steelers drive alive.
• Touchdown catch by Ke’Shawn Williams!!! Steelers 31, Jaguars 22.
• The Jaguars drive the ball down the field, but are eating up valuable time. Now faced with 4th & 5 they are going to go ahead and take the field goal. Steelers 31, Jaguars 25.
• Logan Woodside in for the Steelers at quarterback.
• Steelers go three and out with a very unimpressive drive, and will punt it back to the Jaguars coming out of the 2-minute warning.
• The Jaguars made it interesting, but time runs out. The Steelers win the game. Steelers 31, Jaguars 25.

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 to a home preseason game against the Buccaneers. Make sure you get your voice heard in the comments below.