By Adam McCoy
SteelerNation.com
Get a look inside my mind (a scary thought) during the Pittsburgh Steelers games. All the hot takes, all the rage, and all the elation as I share with you my instant reactions each week. Enjoy!
Pregame
In last week's Instant Reactions, I brought up a hashtag, #FreeMasonRudolph. After this week's comments from Randy Fichtner, we're making #FreeMasonRudolph official. Let the kid play.
It's absolutely nutty the Pittsburgh Steelers can win this game and be only one game behind 1st place in the AFC North. You want to turn your season around? Win this game.
1st Quarter
Defense set the tempo early last week, let's see if they can do it again.
Minkah Fitzpatrick definitely intercepts Andy Dalton tonight.
Thank God, Mark Barron is in coverage (imagine a lot of sarcasm here).
Joe Mixon scares me.
Devin Bush and TJ Watt just had a very productive meeting at the quarterback.
There we go. Offense, let's go. #FreeMasonRudolph
I really like Ryan Switzer, but he's done absolutely nothing in the return game and was in on 0% of offensive snaps last week. Needs a big break on special teams to get back into the lineup.
It's gonna be a long night. Time to grab a beer.
Okay, so last week the 49ers did everything in their power to lose, can the Bengals do the same?
Woah, did Mark Barron just make a play? Nope, Tyler Eifert just couldn't catch it.
Defense held to a field goal, we'll take that.
RPO? I love it. Are we finally going to let Mason Rudolph play?
Wildcat??? Who the heck is this impostor and where'd you put the real Randy Fichtner?
AND IT'S WORKING?
Ben Roethlisberger offensive coordinator confirmed.
I love using Diontae Johnson in jet sweeps.
Go for it.
Ugh.
Devin Bush is a screen-wrecker.
Oh man Joe Haden, so close!
Really like the involvement of Jaylen Samuels early. He's playing like our best running back right now.
Yikes. That's a bad call.
LET'S GO MIKE TOMLIN WITH THE CHALLENGE, LOL.
The classic Mike Tomlin challenge.
There's Nick Vannett for his first catch as a Steeler.
This wildcat/option offense is fascinating.
Unfortunate end to the drive, but things are coming together.
2nd Quarter
Man, Devin Bush has been everywhere so far.
There he is again. Great coverage on Tyler Eifert.
The defense is buzzing! Should be great field position for the offense.
Even better field positioning.
Randy Fichtner might want to cover his mouth when he's calling plays.
Soften up the defense with the short stuff, and kill them deep when they start to creep up.
LET'S GO JAMES CONNER! TOUCHDOWN, STEELERS!!!
What a job by Rudolph to make that second read with the defense in his face. He's legit. #FreeMasonRudolph
What the heck is a Filthy Brady?
LET'S GO, DEFENSE! BUD DUPREE! TJ WATT ON THE RECOVERY! Those two have been terrorizing the Bengals tackles.
Nice to finally see Dupree get to the quarterback. He's been very close a few times this year.
Like seeing the offense moving, but eventually you have to start taking the top off.
Here's the thing, the Bengals are not covering the checkdowns, so keep hitting them.
Wow, Jaylen Samuels has been one heck of a find in the 5th round.
Now the Steelers are maintaining possession, the run game is taking off, and this Conner-Samuels duo is dangerous.
Doesn't look serious for JuJu.
Really would have liked to see a throw on 3rd and 2 there.
With everything else going wrong, it's nice to not have to worry about Chris Boswell.
Touchdown lead going into the half. I'll take it.
3rd Quarter
Offensive line looks miles better than they did last week.
Let's hope Conner is okay.
It's so relieving to see the Steelers converting 3rd downs, wow. The Bengals refuse to cover the running backs.
Wow. Mason Rudolph is clutch. Ben has gotta be so proud on the sidelines.
THERE'S THE JAMES CONNER WE KNOW AND LOVE!
A WILDCAT TOUCHDOWN TO BOOT, LET'S GO! I don't know what this new offense is, but I love it.
I love seeing this game plan working, but I wonder if it works against elite defenses, no slight to the Bengals.
Watch out for this Bengals offense when AJ Green is healthy.
Man, the defense is terrorizing Dalton, the captain, Cam Heyward gets to him.
More great field position for the Steelers, bad punt from Huber.
THERE'S THE DEEP SHOT! Diontae Johnson, easy touchdown!
I'm happy to say we can already retire the #FreeMasonRudolph hashtag.
The Steelers not only need a win, they need a statement win. Pour. It. On.
Man, TJ Watt is ELITE.
Sign that man! Javon Hargrave with the sack. This defense is feasting today!
I believe that is the first 3 and out for the Steelers. Not bad.
Really bad look from Barron there, super late on touching down Eifert.
4th Quarter
Rough PI call there on Steven Nelson.
Hate to see John Ross hurt here. He's really been lighting it up in the absence of AJ Green.
Bengals have to go for it here, right?
That will certainly make it harder. Second false start for the Bengals tonight.
Okay Mark Barron, I see you.
Man, Jaylen Samuels has been impressive this week.
Things are getting heated on the field, we got the win, stay out of it.
The slow end to the quarter makes it easy to finish my winners and losers article (which you should absolutely check out after reading through 4 quarters of my rambling).
Wow, Cam Heyward just swallowed up Dalton. Poor guy.
Okay, but even without the PI, that's not a ball that's caught.
This d-line has the Bengals o-line shaking in their cleats.
This is a big win for the Steelers. A victory next week against Baltimore sets them up greatly in the AFC North.
How do you think we did!? Comment below!
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