T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers has two sacks against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, moving him into first place in the league and giving him his second 19-sack season. However, it is a play in which he did not record a sack that will receive the most attention.
Watt was forced to leave the game late in the third quarter due to a knee injury sustained when teammate Montravius Adams collided with him during a passing play.
Watt joins his brother J.J. Watt, Mark Gastineau, and DeMarcus Ware as the only players in league history to have at least 19 sacks in a season (since the league began collecting sacks as a stat).
This is a major setback for the Steelers, who are still in contention to make the playoffs. If they do get in, Watt will almost certainly be required to make a major postseason run. He is not only their finest player, but also their most influential and vital player. Since Watt’s arrival in the NFL, the Steelers are 1-10 when he does not play and 68-33-2 when he does.
On defense, the Steelers have already lost both of their starting middle linebackers (Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander), as well as multiple key safeties (Minkah Fitzpatrick and Keanu Neal, with Damontae Kazee serving a suspension). Watt’s inclusion on that list is important.