The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for their Wild Card matchup against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Despite the hurdles they've faced this season, the Steelers have secured a spot in the postseason with a chance to advance. However, there's some unfortunate news—the team will have to face this crucial game without one of the league's best players: TJ Watt.
Associated Press
Steelers' TJ Watt (90) leaves the game with injured knee in Week 18.
Watt, one of the most dominant forces in the NFL, suffered an injury in the third quarter of the regular season finale against the Baltimore Ravens. Before leaving the game, he managed to record two sacks, showcasing his immense impact on the field.
On Friday morning on The Carton Show aired on Fox Sports, the panel was engaged in a discussion about the Steelers' prospects of defeating the Bills without Watt. Former Steelers Super Bowl champion Willie Colon expressed a somewhat dismissive view of the loss of Watt, attributing it to the rookie Nick Herbig being able to step up and impact this game.
The Carton Show
Craig Carton talks about the Steelers on his show The Carton Show.
Herbig, a rookie for the Steelers, had a notable moment during the season when he executed a crucial strip sack fumble against the Seattle Seahawks, ultimately contributing to the Steelers' victory. Despite being under the radar most of this season, Herbig has had the opportunity to learn from one of the best in the game in Watt.
He is confident in his ability to step up and shine, aiding the Steelers in what could be an upset victory. Herbig has accumulated three sacks and forced two fumbles during the season.
Craig Carton, the host of the show, scoffed at the idea of Herbig making a significant impact in the game and questioned the Steelers' chances of coming close to winning without Watt.
"So just so I have this right. The great Willie Colon, Mr. Pittsburgh, just said that there's going to be no drop-off from arguably the greatest defensive end in the game today to a guy I have never heard of."
Adding to the criticism, David Jacoby chimed in with a sarcastic diss aimed Herbig's way.
"I'm really happy for Nick Herbig getting shown on national television for the first time in his life. I don't care how many Nick Herbigs you have. You don't have TJ Watt."
Jacoby went on to present a graphic illustrating the Steelers' defensive statistics with and without Watt since 2021. The data showed that the Steelers have a record of 27-14-1 with Watt and 1-8 without him. Furthermore, opponents have averaged 19.7 points per game with Watt on the field compared to 26.9 points per game without him.
The absence of Watt is undoubtedly a significant setback for the Steelers, particularly in a game where wind speeds are expected to exceed 65 miles per hour, and Buffalo is potentially anticipating a foot of snow by kickoff.
Colon, however, has expressed a strong belief in Herbig's ability to step up in this critical game. While Herbig may not be Watt, he will have a chance to positively impact the Steelers' postseason journey due to Watt's unavailability.
Steelers Defense Gets Good News
Despite the challenges posed by Watt's absence, the Steelers remain a confident team. They have welcomed back Minkah Fitzpatrick from injury and Damontae Kazee from suspension. While not having Watt is a substantial blow, this may be the Steelers' best opportunity in recent memory to secure a victory without him.
Regardless of the doubts raised on the show, labeling Herbig as a "nobody" and suggesting it's his first appearance on television is a disrespectful statement. Herbig is determined to prove Jacoby and Carton wrong and leave his mark on this Wild Card game.
Gene J. Puskar / ap photo
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie linebacker Nick Herbig (#51) plays in a NFL preseason football game against the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023.
In every NFL season, the need for players to step up and fill critical roles is a recurring theme. The league operates on the "next man up" philosophy, acknowledging that injuries are an unfortunate reality. Even the Bills are currently grappling with injury concerns.
Despite the challenges presented by injuries, the Steelers are determined not to make excuses. Instead, they are embracing the "next man up" mindset. In times of adversity, they rely on the collective strength of their defense to compensate for the absence of Watt. As Mike Tomlin would say, the Steelers are going to run straight to that, not run from it.
The Steelers understand that the postseason is a pivotal stage, and they are determined to make the most of their opportunities. If they can secure a couple of wins in the postseason, there remains a possibility of seeing Watt return to the field later in the season.
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