It only took defensive end T.J. Watt to produce one of the best seasons by a defensive player ever for the Pittsburgh Steelers to squeak into the playoffs last season. Imagine what I’ll take this year.
In a division as loaded as the AFC North, the Steelers need to find a way to counteract all three lethal offenses led by star skill players and elite quarterbacks. Instead of trying to match the three, they decided to stop them.
The Steelers’ defense isn’t the same caliber it was during the 2020 season, but it’s still one of the better ones in the league.
Commanded by coach Mike Tomlin, they have multiple pro bowlers on the squad like safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and defensive lineman Cameron Heyward, but none bigger than last season’s Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt.
T.J. Watt is as good as his brother
I’m not sure if it just runs in the family, but T.J. has put up as good if not better sack totals than his future hall of fame brother J.J. Watt. In T.J.’s first five seasons, he’s totaled 72 sacks. As for J.J., he totaled 74.5 sacks in his first five seasons.
If comparing these two is to prove anything, it’s not that one is better than the other, but it’s the fact that not many people realize just how dominant T.J. Watt is.
Last season, Watt racked up 22.5 sacks, tying an NFL single-season record for sacks. Before you say, “the NFL expanded the regular season by one game, so that’s not fair,” Watt reached 22.5 in just 15 games.
Will the Steelers make the playoffs?
His legendary season earned him NFL DPOY honors, and it may take a similar performance if the Steelers are to keep their finishing above .500 streak alive.
The Steelers have by far the lowest odds to win the AFC North at +900. They’re also listed at +330 to just make the playoffs.
Like I said, Watt’s historical performance was barely enough to squeak the Steelers into the playoffs. This season, the Baltimore Ravens will be healthy, and the Cleveland Browns have quarterback Deshaun Watson running the show now. All I have to say to the Steelers is good luck.
Regardless, of whether the Steelers have a successful season or not, the defense is still an above-average one and will single-handedly win a few games for them this upcoming season.
Obviously, if their defense is going to be the elite defense that we’ve known over the last few seasons, they’ll need Watt to stay healthy and productive.
Watt currently sits at +700 odds to take home the defensive player of the year award for the second straight season. Considering Watt has improved his sack total every season, it may be worth it to throw a few bucks down on him to take home the award.