Time and time again in big spots, Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt finds a way to come through with the big splash play, altering games in dramatic fashion.
On Monday night against the New York Giants, Watt did just that again.
A few plays after a crucial fumble from quarterback Russell Wilson gave the Giants the football deep in Pittsburgh territory, Watt found a way to change the game back in favor of the Steelers.
The star pass rusher raced around right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor and knocked the football out of Giants QB Daniel Jones’ right hand. He jumped on the football for the strip-sack and fumble recovery, keeping the Giants from scoring in a tight game, ultimately helping the Steelers win to get to 6-2 on the season.
For Steelers outside linebackers coach Denzel Martin, those moments from Watt are born from film study and relentless preparation, which has Watt prepared for the moment and able to seize upon it to make a play.
“That’s the fanatical, it’s the film work. The guy is… you gotta get him to almost calm down. You know what I mean? The amount of film and the stuff that he’s watching and what he’s texting, you know what I mean? ‘Cause he is one of those type of guys that likes to just have a text like, ‘Hey, I’m seeing this. ‘So it’s almost like a diary in our text message,” Martin said of Watt and his preparation, according to video via the Tribune-Review’s Chris Adamski on Twitter. “That’s just all I can say. It’s just unreal about how he is about his film. So, once he gets to the game, it’s literally just slowed down coming to life for him.
“And he can make plays how he wants to because he just understands by formation structure, by o-line stance, you know what I mean? Whatever it is, he understands almost what’s coming.”
In that moment late in the game against Eluemunor, Watt knew what was coming, got a great jump off the ball and hit his patented dip-rip, winning around the corner for the impact play.
It’s what Watt does. It’s not surprising when he makes those impact plays, but it’s still greatly appreciated and respected. It all goes back to the work he puts in away from the game. It helps having a Hall of Fame older brother who played the same position, too.
Watt has a detailed outline of each day leading up to games, from when he arrives to the facility, to when he’s eating lunch, in the cold tub, watching film, and more.
Within that detailed, relentless work day, Watt is leaving no stone unturned. He’s always looking for an edge, whether it’s a head bob from the center right before the snap, which he used to his advantage in Week 1 against Atlanta, or the way a guy is standing pre-snap.
More often than not, those edges that Watt finds helps him take advantage, and in turn create splash plays. He is a maniac, loves football, and enjoys the process.
It shows time and time again.
