The Pittsburgh Steelers saw their 2024 NFL season get off to a good start when they held on to beat the Atlanta Falcons on the road.
The Steelers offense under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith was predictable and conservative as they looked to run the football between Justin Fields and Najee Harris, killing the clock and controlling the time of possession.
While the offense may not have been the most entertaining thing to watch, the defense was another story as they wreaked havoc all over the field and flustered the Atlanta offense.
Leading the charge was T.J. Watt who had his way along the edge and made life miserable for Kirk Cousins who looked skittish in the pocket.
Watt has the potential to ruin offensive gameplans by himself because he’s a relentless pass rusher who can also hold his own in the run game.
Watt has the respect of his peers and analysts like Bill Cowher who believes he’s an NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate.
Bill Cowher on T.J. Watt: “He’s a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. … He’s a guy that can change a game.” #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/7BX3ZoomvU
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) September 15, 2024
Watt captured his first NFL DPOY award during the 2021 NFL season and is a perennial candidate for the honor as long as he remains healthy.
Getting after the quarterback is as important as ever with the way modern NFL offenses have evolved, and Watt is arguably the best at doing that.
The 2024 NFL season is another chance for Watt to show why he should be considered the best defensive player in the world.
