The Pittsburgh Steelers kicked off Week 1 with an 18-10 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, sealed by a game-winning sack from TJ Watt. It was a standout defensive performance, with Watt leading the charge and the entire unit holding firm. Although the defense bent at times, they never broke, limiting Kirk Cousins to just 155 passing yards while forcing two interceptions.
Fred Vuich / ap photo
Steelers' TJ Watt fighting with a Falcons player.
As expected, Watt was dominant throughout the game. However, two strip sacks were called back due to penalties. The first came on a perfectly timed blitz, but Watt was flagged for offsides—a call that enraged him. Watt later revealed that the referee admitted to mistakenly calling the penalty. Despite the setbacks, Watt still finished with one sack, two tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery.
Let’s not mess up the TJ Watt thing this year. It’s not hard. @gmfb pic.twitter.com/up8Dqpz78m
— Kyle Brandt (@KyleBrandt) September 9, 2024
While some in the national media continue to downplay the Steelers and Watt, Kyle Brandt has consistently shown respect. On Monday, he passionately defended Watt in an epic on-air rant. Brandt shared that every time he tuned into the Steelers game, Watt was making an impact and dominating the field.
"TJ Watt would just destroy the world… It’s like flipping on to a horror movie when you are flipping channels. TJ Watt is the best player in the universe. He’s the best player in the galaxy. I couldn’t believe, it may have been the most dominant game TJ has played in his career. The stats aren’t all there because he had a couple of huge plays taken away from penalties."
During the 2023 season, Watt dominated the NFL with 19 sacks, leading the league and delivering exceptional overall defensive production. Despite his outstanding performance, he was snubbed for the AP Defensive Player of the Year Award, which went to Cleveland Browns star, Myles Garrett.
Matt Durisko / ap photo
Steelers' TJ Watt meets with Browns' Myles Garrett after a game.
This decision frustrated Watt and many Steelers fans. Brandt is now urging NFL voters not to make the same mistake, already calling Watt the clear favorite for the award this season.
"But TJ Watt guys let’s not mess this up this year. He’s the Defensive Player of the Year. I am saying it Week 1, let’s not mess around with Micah Parsons or Myles Garrett or Maxx Crosby. It’s TJ Watt, it was always TJ Watt. It was TJ Watt last year, it’s gonna be TJ Watt next year, stop messing it up idiots. He’s the best player… TJ TJ TJ, it’s not that hard don’t mess it up."
Many Steelers fans have grown frustrated with how Watt is compared to other stars like Garrett. Pundits often claim there's a significant gap between Garrett and Watt, but it’s clear the gap is much smaller than they suggest—if anything, it should favor Watt.
Steelers' TJ Watt Continues To Dominate The NFL
Watt’s value to the Steelers is undeniable, as the team holds a dismal 1-10 regular season record without him, underscoring his importance on the field.
AP Photo / Matt Freed
Steelers' TJ Watt sacks Browns' Deshaun Watson in Pittsburgh, PA.
In Brandt’s eyes, Watt is the most dominant defensive player in the league, and he believes it's time Watt gets the respect he deserves. Steelers fans will appreciate Brandt's passionate defense of Watt, especially after his stellar game, despite two massive plays being taken away by penalties.
As the race for Defensive Player of the Year unfolds, Watt’s impact will be hard to ignore. His productivity is unmatched, and that fact is beyond debate. He’s poised to continue wreaking havoc on opposing offenses this season.
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