Tag: T.J. Watt

Anthony Richardson doesn’t fear Steelers’ defense—but he should

Anthony Richardson may not fear the Steelers defense, but with a unit led by T.J. Watt, one of the greatest to ever do it, he may want to reconsider.

While Anthony Richardson was recording his second consecutive game with a passer rating under 50 against the 1-2 Chicago Bears, the Pittsburgh Steelers were busy holding one of the league’s best rushing attacks, from the Los Angeles Chargers, to negative five total yards in the second half of Week 3’s contest.

Richardson spoke with reporters during media availability and stated that he wasn’t “concerned” about this Steelers defense and that he could actually care less about “who’s on the other side.” As a leader, while it is understandable to believe highly in yourself and your teammates, it makes zero sense to motivate the league’s best defense, led by T.J. Watt.

I think Richardson needs to wake up and smell the Primanti’s—he’s thrown one touchdown in the last 2 games, while also throwing five times as many interceptions. Maybe it is time it is time to start worrying about who the other team has on defense.

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No pass rusher has it worse than Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt

T.J. Watt is chipped almost twice as much as any other player in the NFL.

Life isn’t easy for an elite NFL pass rusher. Similar to an elite wide receiver, the better you are, the more attention you draw. This is the life of Pittsburgh Steelers edge defender T.J. Watt. Despite leading the NFL in sacks three of the last four seasons, Watt faces waves of offensive players trying to slow him down.

Through three games this season, Watt has three sacks to go along with seven quarterback hits. This is in spite of the fact that Watt is chipped on 44 percent of snaps. This is nearly twice as high as any other player in the NFL through three games.

Watt has been a wrecking machine so far this season despite only three sacks. This number doesn’t even take into consideration how many other reps he faces an outright double-team or even a triple-team which we have seen before.

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Steelers-Colts matchups to watch: T.J. Watt vs. Braden Smith

T.J. Watt, one of the NFL’s best, will take on the Colts’ reliable right tackle, Braden Smith, in a matchup that could be history defining.

T.J. Watt has a shot at making history in Week 4, needing only half a sack to do so. However, his focus will be on the matchup with the Colts’ reliable right tackle, Braden Smith, in a battle critical to both his legacy and the Steelers’ potential 4-0 record. 

Smith has had a strong start to the Colts’ 2024 campaign, only allowing 3 pressures in Week 1 and one sack in Week 3. He has struggled against faster edge rushers like Chicago’s Montez Sweat, and he now faces the challenge of stopping T.J. Watt, something few have managed this season. 

Watt has been dominant in 2024, averaging one sack, one-and-a-half quarterback hits, and over two pressures per game. He aims to use this momentum to help push the Steelers to 4-0, and reach 100 career sacks in Week 4.  

The Steelers’ pass rush and the Colts’ offensive line will clash in a violent and physical battle this Sunday, Sept. 29th, at 1 p.m. EST. With both vying for a better spot in the AFC race to the top, the Watt and Smith matchup will be critical for both teams’ success. 

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Steelers Week 4 injury report features laundry list of players to kick off Colts week practice

Here’s a look at the Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts injury report following Wednesday’s practice.

If the initial injury report of Week 4 is any indication, the Pittsburgh Steelers could be down several players when they travel to Indianapolis to take on the Colts.

T.J. Watt, Najee Harris, Cameron Heyward, Donte Jackson and Larry Ogunjobi (rest) aside, several players were limited or did not practice.

Here’s a look at the full injury report for the Steelers and Colts following Wednesday’s practice:

Pittsburgh Steelers

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
QB Russell Wilson calf LP
WR Roman Wilson ankle FP
WR Van Jefferson eye FP
RB Najee Harris NIR DNP
S DeShon Elliott quad LP
CB Donte Jackson NIR LP
RB Jaylen Warren knee DNP
LB Alex Highsmith groin DNP
G Isaac Seumalo pec LP
TE MyCole Pruitt knee DNP
LB T.J. Watt NIR LP
DT Cameron Heyward NIR LP
DL Larry Ogunjobi NIR LP

DNP: Did not practice

LP: Limited participation 

FP: Full participation

NIR: Not injury related

Indianapolis Colts

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
CB Kenny Moore II hip DNP
CB Chris Lammons knee/ankle DNP
LB Grant Stuard heel LP
DE Kwity Paye quad DNP
T Braden Smith knee DNP
DE Tyquan Lewis calf/wrist LP

DNP: Did not practice

LP: Limited participation 

FP: Full participation

NIR: Not injury related

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Aidan Hutchinson sets the longest sack streak in Lions franchise history

Aidan Hutchinson sets the longest sack streak in Lions franchise history during Detroit’s win over Arizona in Week 3

After two strong seasons in Detroit, it appears that the best is yet to come for Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. Coming into the season, he had 21 career sacks but through 3 games this season, he’s already up to 6.5 total sacks this season.

https://x.com/RussNFLDraft/status/1837994093663666598

Looking at the video above, Hutchinson used a nasty chop-spin move to bring Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray down for his first and only sack in the game against Arizona.

That sack gave him his fifth-straight game with one sack or more. That is a franchise record-long streak for the Lions. Over the next four weeks, the Lions will play the Seahawks, Cowboys, Vikings and Titans. All four teams have given up 8 sacks or more this season through 3 games played.

The Titans have given up the 2nd most sacks in the NFL with 15 so that could be another multi-sack performance for Hutchinson. Up to 6.5 total sacks this season, there’s a lot of football left to be played. The only question to ask now is if Hutchinson breaks the single season sack record of 22.5 sacks set by Michael Strahan (2001) and T.J. Watt (2021)?

WATCH: Former Wisconsin linebacker legends, brothers exchange words before Week 3

WATCH: Former Wisconsin linebacker legends, brothers exchange words before Week 3

Former Wisconsin linebacker legends J.J. and T.J. Watt caught up on the CBS pregame show before the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 3 win vs. the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

Watt, who entered the contest with seven total tackles, four solo tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, one pass deflection, one fumble recovery and five QB hits, recorded three total tackles and one sack against Jim Harbaugh’s team on Sunday afternoon.

Now a member of CBS’ NFL pregame panel, J.J. commentates alongside Matt Ryan, Nate Burleson, Bill Cowher and James Brown. Watt’s first question to his younger brother revolved around the build-up to an NFL game. Here’s what T.J. said:

“[Nick Herbig] just took over the aux from Cam Heyward, so hopefully he puts on some good tunes,” Watt said jokingly. “Just trying to get in the right head space and trying to visualize a bit. All the hard work is done, and it’s all about going out and performing now.”

The elder Watt also gifted T.J. with a custom No. 90 “dad” jersey in anticipation of the birth of his first child

Here’s the full pregame interview:

Watt now has 10 total tackles, seven solo tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks, one pass deflection, one fumble recovery and five QB hits on the season. If he continues this pace, he will pocket his second career Defensive Player of the Year Award.

Pittsburgh continues its season against the Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 29.

Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt robbed of sack milestone vs. Chargers

Pittsburgh Steelers pass-rusher T.J. Watt missed a significant milestone by the skin of his teeth in his team’s win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

Pass-rusher T.J. Watt missed a significant milestone by the skin of his teeth in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

After a big-time third-down solo sack brought Watt within a half-sack of history, he was robbed of a half-sack that would’ve entered him into 100-sack club. The statisticians gave Cameron Heyward a solo sack, even after Watt’s assist.

Even the announcers were puzzled. “They give Heyward the sack,” said Jim Nance. “I thought they might share it with Watt. Had it been a half-sack, Watt would’ve been at 100 exactly.”

Watt will surpass Hall of Fame defensive end DeMarcus Ware as the second-fastest player to reach 100 career sacks since 1982 (when individual sacks became an official stat).

There are absolutely no concerns that Watt will get it, likely next week versus Anthony Richardson and the Indianapolis Colts. But it would’ve been a nice touch for the achievement to happen in his home stadium in front of thousands of amped-up Steelers faithful.

Let’s not make light of Heyward’s performance, though. According to Steelers public relations, his 81.5 career sacks are the most by a defensive lineman in franchise history, second-most by any player in franchise history, second-most by an active NFL defensive tackle and ninth-most by a defensive tackle in NFL history.

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T.J. Watt on the verge of history this Sunday against the Chargers

T.J. Watt has a chance to become the second-fastest player to join the 100 sack club in Week 3.

Aside from the ultimate prize that all players strive for—the Super Bowl—there isn’t much that T.J. Watt hasn’t accomplished at this point in his career.  The former Defensive Player of the Year holds the record for being the league leader in sacks for three seasons, shares the record with Hall of Famer Michael Strahan for most sacks in a season with 22.5, and this Sunday against the Chargers, he has the chance to do something special.

https://twitter.com/YinzChat/status/1837154639629717994

You read that right! T.J. Watt is only 1.5 sacks away from being the second-fastest NFL player to reach the 100-sack club.

T.J. Watt’s presence on the field is something that teams can only help to contain but never truly stop.  This will be especially true as he takes on rookie right tackle Joe Alt in Week 3.

Will T.J. Watt achieve this feat against the Los Angeles Chargers? There is now an extra layer of intrigue as Steelers fans now can hope for their undefeated Steelers to improve to 3-0, while also rooting for T.J. to reach this historic achievement.

Steelers matchups to watch: Week 3 – T.J. Watt vs. Joe Alt

T.J. Watt and Joe Alt will be one of the premier matchups to watch in the league as the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3.

A matchup for the ages will take place in Week 3 as one of the greatest edge rushers of all time, Pittsburgh Steelers edge T.J. Watt, looks to keep his sack streak going against the Los Angeles Chargers’ rookie right tackle, Joe Alt. In a game with two underperforming offenses, this matchup could decide the outcome.

A former Defensive Player of the Year and 2023 sack leader, T.J. Watt is picking up where he left off last season. Watt was a force in the Steelers’ two victories. He has compiled two sacks, four QB hits, and six pressures on 62 pass plays.

Right tackle Joe Alt has been one of the Chargers’ best offensive players. On 126 snaps, he’s committed zero penalties, allowed only a single sack on 54 passing plays, and surrendered just two pressures.

Understanding that experience plays a massive role in these matchups, T.J. Watt should be the clear favorite here. With that being said, Steelers fans will have to tune in on September 22nd at 1:00 PM EST, to see if T.J. gives Alt his ‘welcome to the league’ moment.

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5 Steelers players to watch vs. Chargers

The Steelers have talent on both sides of the ball.

It’s a battle of two undefeated teams in Week 3. The Chargers travel to Pittsburgh to face Mike Tomlin and the 2-0 Steelers in a game that figures to be low scoring.

It’s one that should be decided in the trenches, as physicality is considered a strength for each team. Here some players to keep an eye on this weekend from the Steelers’ side of things.

C Zach Frazier

It seems like the Steelers have found their center of the future. After a few years of poor play from the position, their 2024 second-rounder has looked stellar through the first two weeks. He’s helped stabilize the offensive line, something the team has been lacking for a few years now. Frazier’s matchup against the interior portion of the Chargers’ defensive line, namely Poona Ford, will be a major key to the Week 3 matchup. 

WR George Pickens

Pickens is by far Pittsburgh’s top playmaker, and he has eight catches for 114 yards so far on the season. The rest of the Steelers’ receiving core has combined for just five catches and 28 receiving yards. If there’s one guy that the Chargers can’t let take over the game, it’s Pickens. He certainly has the ability and talent to do so, as he accumulated 1,140 receiving yards last season.

Edge rushers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith

These two form arguably the best pass rushing duo in all of football. Watt is arguably the best defender in the NFL, while Highsmith is quite the running mate. Through two games, they’ve continued to wreck havoc, including last week against the Broncos. Their matchups against the Chargers’ offensive tackles, who have been elite this season, could decide the fate of this game.

CB Joey Porter Jr.

There’s no question as to who is the top corner in Pittsburgh. Only in his second season, Porter has enjoyed a stellar start to the season. If there is one weakness to his game, he does tend to get a bit handsy in coverage at times. He was flagged multiple times in Week 2 against the Broncos, so that’s something to watch. Justin Herbert may be wise to shy away from Porter throughout the game on Sunday if he wants to be able to have success through the air.

K Chris Boswell

It sounds a bit strange to include a kicker in this, but Boswell has become one of the best kickers in the NFL. Through two games, he’s a perfect 8-for-8 on field goal attempts, including 4-for-4 from over 50 yards. Kickers across the league have been exceptional to start the season, and Boswell has single-handedly helped the Steelers to a 2-0 start. It’s important for the Chargers defense to not even allow Pittsburgh’s offense into field goal range because at this point, it seems like an automatic three points for the Steelers.