Does T.J. Watt deserve to be a Defensive Player of the Year finalist?

T.J. Watt had a solid 2024 season, but his late struggles raise questions about his finalist spot for Defensive Player of the Year.

While 2024 was a historic year for the newest Steeler in the 100-sack club, T.J. Watt, his performance to end the season raises questions about the legitimacy of his inclusion in the D.P.O.Y. race.

The NFL announced that Watt was one of five players in the running to win the 2024 D.P.O.Y. award, along with Philadelphia Eagles LB Zack Baun, Denver Broncos CB Patrick Surtain II, Cincinnati Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson, and the reigning 2023 D.P.O.Y. award-winning DE Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns.

One could argue that each of these finalists provided a case as to why they deserve the award in 2024—except for Watt.

Surtain was the best cornerback of 2024, Hendrickson led the NFL with 17.5 sacks, Garrett came in second with 14 sacks and led the league with 22 TFLs, and Baun became the first linebacker to record over 150 tackles and 5 or more forced fumbles in a single season.

Watt, on the other hand, failed to record an assist, a tackle, or a sack in the final 127 snaps of the 2024 season.

Watt is still one of the greatest defenders the NFL currently has to offer, but it is no secret that 2024 was far from his year.

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Causes for concern as the Bills take on the Broncos in the Wild Card round

Causes for concern as the Bills take on the Broncos in the Wild Card round

The Buffalo Bills will play the Denver Broncos at home at Highmark Stadium in the Wild Card round.

The Bills (13-4) won 10 of 11 games before their Week 18 loss to the New England Patriots, while the Broncos (10-7) are winners in five of their last seven.

The Bills are favored by 8.5 points and they are playing at home where they were undefeated this season (8-0). Even though the Bills are favored by multiple scores, nothing is guaranteed in the NFL, especially against playoff teams.

There are always a few things that make winning difficult each week. The Bills will need to be wary of them.

Here are three causes for concern for the Bills against the Broncos:

QB Bo Nix’s escapability

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What rookie quarterback Bo Nix lacks in experience he makes up for with his creativity and mobility. Nix had the eighth-most rushing yards from a QB in the 2024 regular season (430 yards).

His off-script ability is what has taken the Broncos offense to the next level. The Bills defensive line will need to be disruptive and take away his ability to get outside the pocket or he could start making plays and give the away squad bits of momentum.

Although he’s a rookie, he hasn’t played much like a rookie this year. If the Bills want to take control of the game, they’ll need to mix things up and confuse the young signal caller. Otherwise, he can hurt you.

NFL’s best pass rush

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The Broncos lead the league in sacks (63), quarterback pressures (265), and finished third in pressure rate (37.4%). They have been the most productive pass-rushing unit in the NFL by a pretty good margin.

The good thing for the Bills is that they allowed the least sacks in the NFL this year (14). That is the least amount of sacks taken in a season since the 2009 Indianapolis Colts who ended up Super Bowl Champions that year.

This will be a matchup of strength-on-strength in the trenches when the Bills are on offense. If the Bills do what they have all year, and Josh Allen provides his normal dose of off-script magic, then they shouldn’t have a problem. If they slip up, Denver can get home in a hurry.

Patrick Surtain II

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Patrick Surtain II may be the best cornerback in the NFL. He was rewarded for his stellar play on Friday with a First-Team All-Pro selection.

Surtain II received the highest coverage grade of all cornerbacks from Pro Football Focus in 2024 (87.4) among those who played 100 snaps.

If there’s one downfall to the Bills offense this year, it’s that they haven’t had a wide receiver consistently beat coverage on the outside. That part of the field will probably be taken away even more than usual with Surtain II out wide.

It will be interesting to see how the Bills approach the passing game, given that Surtain II is capable of shutting down his quarter of the field.

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T.J. Watt may lose out on 2024 DPOY as new betting odds emerge

T.J. Watt’s dominance may not be enough to secure D.P.O.Y. as Patrick Surtain emerges as a top contender. Can Week 18 shift the narrative?

Frustrating as it may be, fans of the Black and Gold might witness another of T.J. Watt’s standout seasons end without Defensive Player of the Year recognition.

Arguably, Watt was snubbed twice before—back in 2020 and 2023—in favor of Rams DT Aaron Donald and Browns EDGE Myles Garrett, respectively.

Although Watt has struggled in recent weeks, he was still considered the favorite to win the award. However, a new frontrunner has emerged over the former 2022 D.P.O.Y.: Broncos CB Patrick Surtain II according to BetMGM.

Surtain has held the following superstar wide receivers to zero yards when targeted: Tyreek Hill, Terry McLaurin, Ja’Marr Chase, and Odell Beckham Jr.

Watt’s 11.5 sacks and league-leading 5 forced fumbles may not be enough to hold off the younger cornerback from claiming the 2024 D.P.O.Y. award.  Watt’s odds, according to Bovada, have fallen to the second-best +190, while Surtain’s odds are -230.

Will Surtain deliver another heartbreaking NFL Honors ceremony for Steelers fans, or will Watt reclaim his shot at the crown with an elite Week 18 performance?

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NFL week 4: Will the Jets attack Broncos’ DB Pat Surtain II?

NFL week 4: Will the Jets attack Broncos’ DB Pat Surtain II?

The New York Jets should not enter NFL week 4 taking the Denver Broncos lightly, especially with defensive back Patrick Surtain II on their depth chart.

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Over the last two weeks, the Broncos have held opponents to an average of 10 points per game. Sure, Denver hasn’t played a quarterback with the caliber of Aaron Rodgers this season but they are looking to challenge the Jets’ offensive in the absence of tackle Morgan Moses.

Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett should not get too experimental with his play calling, that is, until the Jets see their attack catch rhythm.

Hackett’s quick passing attack will be met by the physicality and quickness of Surtain, so opting for zone runs and back shoulder throws to wide receivers Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams make sense.

The Jets ruled the time of possession stat category in week 3, converting a total of 27 first downs. However, the Broncos defense did produce seven sacks in their last match-up and are planning to stifle the Jets offense if they happen to get off track.  

Steelers matchups to watch: Week 2 (DEN) – George Pickens vs. Patrick Surtain II

George Pickens had a huge game in Week One.

After a solid debut to his 2024 season, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens will look onward to a tough matchup in Week 2 against the Denver Broncos’ elite cornerback, Patrick Surtain II.  This specific matchup will not only continue to add to Pickens’ resume but will be pivotal if the Steelers hope to move to 2-0 on the season.

Patrick Surtain II had a rough start to his 2024 seasonal debut.  After being targeted five times, he allowed four of those to be completions, while also offering up a passer rating of 99.2 when targeted.  The Denver Broncos will attempt to keep Surtain II on Pickens all game long, and these targets for completions will pay off hugely for Pickens’ 14.2 yards per reception.

George Pickens was, to say the least, electric in Atlanta.  Subpar play calling, modest quarterback play, and heinous calls from officials limited what could have been a monster game in Week 1.  Pickens has all the momentum heading into Week 2, while Surtain II will be looking to avoid a repeat of subpar coverage.

Pickens will keep all Steelers’ fans glued to this matchup on Sunday against one of the best young corners in the NFL.  The Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Denver in Week 2, September 15th, at 4:25 pm EST.

 

The Xs and Os with Greg Cosell: Inside the NFL’s press coverage revolution

In this week’s “Xs and Os with Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar,” the guys get deep into a new press coverage revolution in today’s NFL.

Over the last few seasons in the NFL, a lot of coaches and executives have tailored their defensive schemes in one specific fashion — an increase in press coverage from their cornerbacks. Not only the old-school aggressive press-man coverage we all know, but also mirror-match press man coverage, where a cornerback trails the receiver through his route as the route is declared.

Why? Because NFL offenses have found all kinds of ways to beat the old Seattle Cover-3 stuff from a decade ago with 3×1 and 2×2 receiver sets, and the route concepts inherent in those deployments. Now, if you’re rolling out that “Country Cover-3,” your defense is going to be in trouble.

There’s also the element of quick game in the league, which has increased in recent years. When the quarterback is throwing out of zero- to three-step drops, there are times when edge defenders simply don’t have time to get to the quarterback before the ball comes out. So, logic dictates that if you can’t disrupt the quarterback in the timing of the down, you need to disrupt the timing of the receivers’ routes, forcing the quarterback to delay his reads and throws, and giving those pass-rushers that extra split millisecond to get home.

In this week’s edition of “The Xs and Os,” Greg Cosell of NFL Films and ESPN’s NFL Matchup, and Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire and the USA Today Sports Media Group, investigate the NFL’s changes in press coverage, and the players who do it the best, including...

  • L’Jarius Sneed of the Titans;
  • A.J. Terrell of the Falcons;
  • Martin Emerson Jr. of the Browns;
  • Patrick Surtain Jr. of the Broncos;
  • Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner of the Jets; and
  • Joey Porter Jr. of the Steelers.

You can watch this week’s “Xs and Os with Greg Cosell” right here:

You can also listen and subscribe to the “Xs and Os” podcast on Spotify…

and on Apple Podcasts.

Eagles’ Jalen Carter, James Bradberry to compete in ‘The Catch’ saltwater fishing tournament

Philadelphia Eagles stars Jalen Carter and James Bradberry are set to compete alongside 17 other NFL players in a saltwater fishing tournament benefiting the Coast Guard Foundation

The quarterbacks have ‘The Match,’ and now a handful of NFL stars, including Jalen Carter, are heading to the sea for a good cause.

The Eagle’s second-year defensive tackle and veteran cornerback James Bradberry is among seven-star players participating alongside Sport Fishing Championship’s leading anglers in “The Catch” saltwater fishing tournament on CBS live from the Fontainebleau Miami Beach on Saturday, April 20.

The players will compete to raise awareness for Sport Fishing Championship’s ocean-based “community champions.” The competition will also benefit the Coast Guard Foundation.

The coastal waters off Miami will be the arena as two teams are divided and captained by the SFC’s Billfish Championship top competitors, including reigning 2022 Champion Capt. Justin Drummond of Team Quantified, 2022 SFC Fan Vote Angler of The Year, Jaselyn Berthelot of Rising Sons, and 2022 SFC Wahoo Champion and Atlantic Division rival Capt. Taylor Sanford with Team Gypsea.

Here’s more about the competition via Sport Fishing Championship’s press release:

The coastal waters off Miami will be the arena as two teams are divided and will be captained by the SFC’s Billfish Championship top competitors, including reigning 2022 Champion Capt. Justin Drummond of Team Quantified, 2022 SFC Fan Vote Angler of The Year, Jaselyn Berthelot of Rising Sons, and 2022 SFC Wahoo Champion and Atlantic Division rival Capt. Taylor Sanford with Team Gypsea.

The competition will use SFC’s billfish catch-and-release scoring system. The exhibition will showcase the Coast Guard Foundation – the premier non-profit organization supporting active U.S. Coast Guard members, veterans, and their families through investments that support families, bolster unit morale and honor the Coast Guard’s national mission.

The Catch, Powered by Verizon, is a made-for-TV competition pairing SFC angling stars with the NFL’s biggest names and takes place April 18-20 at Pier Sixty-Six, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Viewers can tune in to the broadcast on the CBS Sports Network, Saturday, April 20, from 3-5 p.m.

4 blockbuster trade packages teams could offer Patriots for No. 3 pick

If the Patriots decide to trade back, here are four potential draft day trade packages for the No. 3 pick

The New England Patriots have a good problem on their hands with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. There are no surefire ways to go when deciding what to do with a pick that could impact their franchise for years to come.

They could stand pat and take one of the top-three quarterbacks on the board, which includes Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels. The team could also use the No. 3 pick and other draft assets to move up to No. 1 overall, assuming the Chicago Bears would be willing to trade back.

And then there’s the least loved, but perhaps more effective, strategy of trading down and accumulating more picks and players to facilitate a rebuild.

The Patriots aren’t going to suddenly morph back into perennial playoff contenders overnight. It’s clearly going to take more than one year for the team to fix the myriad of personnel issues on the roster.

Today, we’re exploring four trade packages from four possible suitors that could be offered to the Patriots for the No. 3 overall draft pick.

Vikings Game: Live updates from Vikings at Broncos in Week 11

Follow along for live updates throughout Sunday night football as the Minnesota Vikings take on the Denver Broncos.

The Minnesota Vikings are set to take on the Denver Broncos on Sunday night.

Throughout the game, we will be breaking down the big moments on each drive, keeping you updated throughout if you can’t watch the game live.

Follow along all night as the Vikings look to extend their winning streak to six games.

Behind Enemy Lines: Previewing Week 11 w/Broncos Wire

To preview Sunday’s game, we went behind enemy lines with Broncos Wire.

The Minnesota Vikings are looking to extend their winning streak to six games as they head to the Mile High City to take on the Denver Broncos on Sunday Night Football.

The last time the Vikings played on NBC with the Sunday night crew was on Thanksgiving night when they beat the New England Patriots 33-26. This season, primetime has been a mixed bag with the Vikings losing to the Philadelphia Eagles 34-28 but beating the San Francisco 49ers 22-17. They covered the spread in both games.

What should the Vikings expect when they face the Broncos? We spoke to Jon Heath of Broncos Wire to get the scoop on where the Broncos are at, as they are also on a three-game winning streak.