T.J. Watt knew it was going to be all about him. Only he wasn’t having that. After surpassing James Harrison as the Pittsburgh Steelers franchise sack leader, ESPN’s Lisa Salters grabbed Watt for a postgame interview. Instead of bogarting the spotlight, he deservedly chose Alex Highsmith to share it with him. Watt’s has never been a me-first kind of guy, and he wasn’t about to start now.
“I just want to say that it’s an honor to work with this man, Alex Highsmith,” Watt told Salters as teammates ran by putting imaginary crowns on his head. “You talk about edge defenders as Pittsburgh Steelers… to be able to start the game with a pick-6 was massive.”
Highsmith gave it right back to his teammate.
“I’m blessed to play with this man right here. He makes me better, he pushes me to be better. We’re looking forward to getting back to work. This is a good way to get back on track.”
Watt and Highsmith put on a show at Acrisure on Monday Night Football, putting them firmly in the best-pass-rush-duo-in-the-NFL conversation. The two were sharing a brain versus the Cleveland Browns. In what was surprisingly the first touchdown of Watt’s seven-year career, Highsmith caused the fumble for him to scoop. But not to be outdone by the very first touchdown of Highsmith’s career. The only thing that made it sweeter was that it came on the first play of the game.
Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt are the best pass rushing duo in the NFL and it's not even close. pic.twitter.com/TflQukdzIo
— Billy Hartford (@BudDupreeFan) September 19, 2023
As the night drew to a close, the production by Watt and Highsmith was game-changing: Four tackles (two for loss), a sack, four quarterback hits, a defended pass and a score for Watt. Seven tackles (one for loss), and one of each in sacks, defended passes, forced fumbles and pick-sixes.
“We needed it,” Mike Tomlin told Steelers media of Watt and Highsmith’s performances. “We expect it. And they delivered.”
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