Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro edge rusher, TJ Watt has continued to build his Hall of Fame case in 2023. Coming off an injury-plagued 2022 campaign, the superstar has played through several ailments this season. Despite that, he's yet to miss a game, and he's still performed admirably. Through three months, his 14.0 sacks ranks second in the NFL. As of now, most betting sites give him the third-best odds to win AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
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Steelers star edge rusher TJ Watt (#90) stretches prior to a 2022 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
He sits just behind Myles Garrett and Micah Parsons in terms of chances to win the prestigious award. It would be his second time winning it with the first rendition coming back in 2021 when he finished with 22.5 sacks. Even if he doesn't win, it seems like he's well on his way to his fourth career top-three finish for the award.
New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick is fully aware of the havoc that Watt creates. Ahead of the upcoming Thursday Night Football game, via ESPN's Mike Reiss, the legendary coach gave Watt his flowers on Wednesday.
"He’s very quick off the ball. He has a good edge pass rush. He’s got really good lower body strength and balance. He does a very good job of closing to the quarterback and rarely gets knocked off balance. He might get hit, but he’s able to play through contact and stay on his track. He really does a good job of condensing the pocket. Even when he doesn’t hit the quarterback, he forces the quarterback into a smaller space that helps everybody else who’s rushing – [Alex] Highsmith or whoever the other edge player is."
That was only the beginning of Belichick's comments too; he had plenty more to say about Watt. For a guy that typically doesn't say much, particularly to the media, this is the highest of praises for Watt. Belichick also seemed to forget Alex Highsmith's name for a split second there, a guy that has developed into one of the best edge rushers in the NFL. The Steelers signed him to a four-year, $68 million extension this past offseason.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_Photo)
Steelers edge rusher Alex Highsmith (#56) jogs off of the playing surface at then-Heinz Field after a 2021 practice during training camp.
So far, he's proved to be worth that massive contract. In 12 games, he has six sacks, seven tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hits, and two forced fumbles. His numbers aren't exactly reflective of his impact either, which are sometimes hurt by the fact that his teammates (Watt) gets to the quarterback before him. The two have become arguably the best pass rushing duo in the NFL. Belichick was quick to get back to praising Watt though, which lasted for over two minutes.
"He’s a very good pursuit player. He makes a lot of plays from the backside, or makes plays when you think he’s blocked, he’s out of the play, and he’s able to cross-face the blocker and get back in the play... He has a lot of strip sacks on that through the years, where he’s engaged with the blocker and still is able to knock the ball out of the quarterback’s hand with that left arm reach. I’d say that’s kind of his patented move. He’s really, really good at it," Belichick said via Reiss.
To be exact, Watt has 26 career forced fumbles in 99 total regular season contests, which includes three in 2023 alone. Belichick is right, it has become a patented move for Watt. That aspect will be key in the Week 14 matchup given the fact that points will come at a premium. The Patriots offense has struggled all season long and if they want any chance on the road, they will have to slow Watt down.
Don Wright / AP
Over the years, Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick has had Mike Tomlin and the Steelers' number in their AFC matchups.
Since arriving in Foxborough, Belichick is 13-4 against Pittsburgh, which most recently included a close 17-14 victory in 2022. Tom Brady had a lot to do with that record during all of those years, but Belichick is a future Hall of Fame coach in his own right. On the flip side, Mike Tomlin has naturally struggled against the Patriots with a career 3-9 record. We'll see if things change on Thursday, and the Steelers will need every bit of Watt if they want to bounce back from last week's loss.
Do you think Watt should receive legitimate DPOY (or even MVP) consideration? What are your thoughts on Belichick's remarks on Watt? Share your thoughts in the comment section below, yinz1
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