Tag: 2023 NFL Week 9

T.J. Watt lost his helmet during play and still furiously pursued Will Levis anyway

The most T.J. Watt play EVER.

T.J. Watt has constructed the prolific career of a superstar on the strength of his sheer tenacity. While, yes, the Pittsburgh Steeler is a five-time Pro Bowler and former Defensive Player of the Year because he’s so talented, it’s also due to his uncommon relentless chasing quarterbacks. (Which, yes, that sometimes can get him into trouble.)

Tennessee Titans starting quarterback Will Levis and everyone watching re-learned this absolute fact during Thursday Night Football.

With Tennessee driving and facing a key third down in the red zone late in the first quarter, Watt lost his helmet while trying to get around the right side of the Titans’ offensive line. Rather than turtle and let Levis extend the play, Watt still furiously pursued the quarterback and got a well-earned sack anyway.

Because of course he did:

If there’s another play that better describes what Watt brings to the table, I haven’t seen it. He’s special because his motor never stops — even when he doesn’t have a helmet.

J.J. Watt unsurprisingly had a biased reaction to T.J. Watt’s questionable roughing the passer penalty

J.J. Watt is proof that brothers always stick together.

With J.J. Watt officially retired from the NFL, he has more time to follow the exploits of his younger brother T.J., the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defensive talisman. That also means he might likely be more vocal about his opinions on penalties that, unfortunately, go against his sibling.

Early on during the Steelers’ Thursday night matchup against the Tennessee Titans, T.J. Watt unloaded on Tennessee starting quarterback Will Levis with a perfect picture form tackle. Except according to the officials on hand, it was roughing the passer by virtue of Watt using his body weight on Levis.

This was such a call that will almost always look silly in the context of pro football:

Naturally, J.J. was in attendance and was closely watching play. He did not remotely agree with the penalty on T.J.:

It’s hard to disagree with J.J. about this questionable call. It’s also unsurprising watching him stump for his brother as he dominates the line of scrimmage.