Two of the game's best defenders took the field for “Football on Thursday evenings” in Cleveland, but only one had a dominant performance.
Unfortunately for the Pittsburgh Steelers, it was the Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (3 bags) and not their own TJ Watts.
Releases 2024 Steelers EDGE TJ Watt
This season has been something of a drought by Watt standards. He's no stranger to regular multi-sack weeks, but there's only been one this season: Week 8 against the New York Giants. Watt has just one sack in three games after failing to tackle Jameis Winston in Week 12.
Today on 93.7″The fan morning showsaid a Steelers insider Mark Kaboly suggested that something needs to change:
I don't know how much [T.J. Watt] wants [move around]. I find partially it has to do with him. He just likes it, from… I mean, you remember his rookie year, he was on the other side and didn't really like it. They knocked him and Bud Dupree down and then all of a sudden he took off. But at this point you need to do something different. I guarantee if you asked Teryl Austin he would say, “Oh, we move him around.” Yes, if at all, you move him around two or three times a game.
Accordingly PFF Ultimate (Subscription), two or three times per game is an overestimate. Watt's position pivot is broken down as follows:
- Left End Outside (LEO): 404 snaps
- Left OLB: 222 snaps
- Right Wing (REO): 6 snaps – vs. New York Giants, Baltimore Ravens
- Right OLB: 1 snap – vs. Indianapolis Colts
The only time Watt didn't reach double-digit sacks was his Rookie season And 2022when he had to miss half the season due to a chest injury.
Why TJ Watt doesn't see held calls
Watt often seems to be the NFL's most held player without flying the flags. Despite his elite status and tireless ability to disrupt opposing offenses, there are few penalties against players who block Watt.
Why? Part of the problem lies in Watt's unmatched explosiveness and technique. He moves so quickly and precisely that it is difficult for referees to detect violations in real time. What's more, Watt's motor never stops – he masters holds that might incapacitate weaker players, making the violations seem less obvious. Critics argue that this lack of calls is due to a larger league-wide problem of inconsistent officiating in protecting superstar edge rushers.
Offensive coaches have also learned exactly how to neutralize Watt's impact: double teams, chip blocks and quick throws.
As Kaboly wrote in one October 3rd column for “The Pat McAfee Show:”
Over the entire period, Watt ranks 10th in the league with 18 draws by a defender. Last year's Defensive Player of the Year, Cleveland's Myles Garrett, who was drafted the same year as Watt and played in about the same number of games, tops this list with 24.
All Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin could say was that the hold is happening and there's nothing you can do about it.
The great pass rushers are held. You know, TJ is held every week, and they're going to hold him this week, and maybe they don't get it. We can't change that. We just go about our business. We just try to play along and leave it to whoever is in charge of the refereeing.
