J.J. Watt said it best. At this point, most things T.J. Watt does don’t come as a surprise. If he beats a block and stuffs the run, it’s just another play. If he records a sack, strips the quarterback of the football, you come to expect it. Appreciate it, of course, but it’s kinda what Watt does at this point.
But his interception against the Los Angeles Rams? Even for his high level of play, Watt found a way to kick things up a notch. Appearing on the Pat McAfee Show, J.J. Watt gave T.J. his flowers for one heck of a play.
“This is one where I’m actually impressed by this play,” Watt said, acknowledging his brother did something atypical of his usual role.
Watt got the Steelers’ second half off with a bang, intercepting Rams QB Matthew Stafford on the first play of the second half. As we noted in our Monday film room breakdown, Watt is in his hook/curl zone to the offense’s right side of the field. But he feels the concept and the matchup, the option route by No. 3/slot receiver Cooper Kupp working on LB Cole Holcomb, and breaks on the ball. Stafford never saw him, even after Watt picked it off, and the interception was returned inside the Rams’ 10, setting up a Kenny Pickett touchdown.
“He legitimately looked like a proper defensive back or linebacker here,” J.J. Watt said. “He’s making this break before Matt even takes his front hand off the ball, already knowing where he’s going to try and go with it. That is a hell of a play.”
It’s the seventh interception of Watt’s career. Most of his others have come at the line of scrimmage, opting against rushing and reading the quarterback when he knows the ball is coming out quickly or if there’s no path to reach the quarterback. It’s led to some remarkable plays on their own but this interception showed a new skill set to his game. It’s what separates him from other elite pass rushers like Myles Garrett, the ability to be a complete player who can rush the passer, play the run, and drop into coverage.
Watt did not record a sack in the game and has fallen to second place in the NFL behind Minnesota’s Danielle Hunter. But he still found a way to change the game, something he does virtually every week.
