The ability to sack the quarterback is something that runs in the Watt family's DNA. T.J. Watt just entered the 20-sack club for the first time in his NFL career with a monster four-sack game against the Cleveland Browns. His older brother J.J. took notice and had an amazing response only an older brother can give.
The older Watt, who had 20.5 sacks in 2012 and 2014, bragged about being the only player to reach that feat while encouraging T.J. to break Michael Strahan's single-season record of 22.5 sacks he set during the 2001 season.
Don't think J.J. forgot about his other brother Derek, who is a fullback and special teamer for the Steelers.
T.J. is currently sitting at 21.5 sacks heading into Week 18's game vs the Baltimore Ravens--putting him only 1.5 sacks away from breaking Strahan's sack record. Who will he be trying to break to record against? Ravens head coach John Harbaugh indicated that Lamar Jackson could potentially play Sunday, despite being sidelined since Week 14 and being out of playoff contention.
I doubt it would make a difference. In the Steelers' last matchup against the Ravens in Week 13, Watt recorded 3.5 sacks against Lamar and came through in the biggest moment. After the game, Jackson said that the Steelers linebacker was the reason he couldn't connect with TE Mark Andrews on the final play.
The All-Pro linebacker spoke to The Washington Post following Monday Night Football and said he isn't focusing on individual goals, instead he just wants to disrupt the opposing teams' offensive plans.
"The first year or two, I used to do big individual goals: 'X' amount of sacks, TFLs [tackles for loss], all that stuff," Watt said, via the Washington Post. "But it adds too much pressure. You start chasing and all that stuff. And now it's just trying to affect every game the best that I can. ... It's been working for me. So I'm not really looking at goals like that anymore, just trying to be a game-wrecker."
Follow Jasper Jones on Twitter: @jonesj2342
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