Early in the 2023 season, no team on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ schedule has truly figured out how to deal with star outside linebacker T.J. Watt.
In Pittsburgh’s first six games, Watt has been a wrecking ball. He’s second in the NFL in sacks with 8.0, behind only Minnesota’s Danielle Hunter, with two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, five passes defended, one interception, one defensive touchdown and 29 total pressures.
Entering the Week Eight matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars at home, Watt has a 91.5 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, which is the fourth-highest grade at the EDGE position in the NFL behind Cleveland’s Myles Garrett, San Francisco’s Nick Bosa, and Dallas’ DeMarcus Lawrence.
Even if Watt is’t changing the game as a pass rusher, he’s going to make plays in coverage, as he did in Week Seven picking off a pass against the Los Angeles Rams to open the second half, changing the game in favor of the Steelers.
His game-wrecking ability has the Jaguars on high alert — and rightfully so — heading into the Sunday matchup at Acrisure Stadium, according to head coach Doug Pederson and tight end Evan Engram.
“Hell no, do not leave him alone. But that’s a big role for us [tight ends] this week,” Engram said to reporters, according to video via the 1010XL YouTube page. “Obviously, the tackles got their hands full. Both guys, [Alex] Highsmith and T.J. are really good players. So, that’s part of our role this week is to help out and try to you control those guys. Because, 90’s probably one of the best in the league and, you know, 56, I think they just paid him. He’s, doing really well too.
“So we’ll have our work cut out for us for sure.”
Engram’s initial response was spurred by a question from a Jacksonville reporter asked if leaving Watt alone one-on-one was the answer for the Jaguars, considering how Jacksonville has tried to scheme to take away other top-flight pass rushers in recent weeks, like Buffalo’s Von Miller and New Orleans’ Cameron Jordan.
Those guys, for as great as they are, aren’t T.J. Watt though.
Rookie right tackle Anton Harrison will need some help, that much is clear. So, too, will left tackle Walker Little as Highsmith is having a great season opposite Watt as he currently sits No. 13 in overall grade (87.3) at the EDGE position and has 26 total pressures on the season.
Harrison will be the focal point for Jacksonville though, giving him as much help as he needs in the matchup, whether that’s a chip from Engram or a running back out of the backfield, or even keeping an extra tight end like a Luke Farrell or a Brenton Strange in to help in pass protection. Harrison has allowed 10 pressures and four sacks this season, according to PFF, and holds a 56.7 overall grade.
Don’t expect to see Watt get many one-on-one opportunities Sunday, at least according to Pederson.
“Never [single him up]. He’s a great player. Just a great player over the course of his career,” Pederson said Wednesday to reporters, according to video via Jaguars.com. “He has got eight sacks already this season, and you have to understand that this is …a great player and you give him the respect that he is due. He’s earned that.”
After going without a sack or a pressure last Sunday in Los Angeles, Watt is looking to get back on track against the Jaguars as the Steelers return home to play in front of what should be a raucous crowd. He’s going to have some impact plays against the Jaguars because that’s just what Watt does at this point in his career.
The Jaguars will do everything they can to try and combat him though.
