PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Mike McCarthy said it was clearly the biggest play of the game Sunday in the Steelers 20-13 win over Atlanta. Afterwards, the reaction from TJ Watt and more so his teammates describing what an amazing play that is and how too many people counted him out.
Let’s start with the play, second down after Watt had stuffed Falcons’ Bijan Robinson for no gain. He’s coming from the left side on second-and-10 against Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush.
“Just instinct honestly,” Watt started to explain. “I think I got chipped so I was kind of far away from the tackle to begin with. I had a little bit more room to
keep my eyes through the tackle to the quarterback.”
He was able to make that interception early in the fourth quarter grabbing it like a pass with two hands.
“I was a tight end in college,” Watt said. “I don't know. I don't do JUGS (the mechanical machine receivers/DBs use to catch passes). I just try to in practice to tip passes as much as I can, just trying to be as ball aware as possible. I just try to be as ball aware as possible.”
“Good hand-eye coordination, reading the tackle, reading the quarterback, understanding when a quarterback is ready to set, using his hands,” said Steelers Cam Heyward.
“What an incredible, incredible play,” said Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. “How do you even think about that? He's done that a few times, too. He's getting hands on the football over the last couple years, but he has an uncanny ability to kind of get his hands there, and so does Cam [Heyward].”
“You see that play in practice,” McCarthy said. “You see that play on the cutups. I remember watching Will Howard when I first got hired, and they showed me some practice tape, and T.J. makes the same play. He jumps up and catches the ball. I don't know why they put that on Will's tape to show me to take a look at him. But you see him make those plays all the time.”
“But not only did he make the play, but the ability to get up and finish it was incredible.”
Watt was surprised he wasn’t touched on the play.
“I think it was [Keeanu Benton] that was like, “Get up, get up,” because I had no idea where I was,” Watt explained. “I had no bearing at all. I'm sure the fall didn't look too graceful but glad someone told me to get up and keep running.”
Alex Highsmith was one of those yelling as well.
“I was just rushing and I saw him do a move and catch it in mid-air and no one touch him, ‘get up, let’s go, let’s go, it’s crazy’,” Highsmith said.
As Watt approached the end zone escorted by his teammates, he started the move with the football in the right hand and back behind his head. It was exactly the move Hall of Famer Deion Sanders did, Sanders played for Atlanta.
“I did that when we had the Cleveland one too,” Watt said. “I think it's the first thing that always pops in my head. I don't know why I do it, but I think it looks cool.”
It changed the game to a 10-point lead and put the Steelers firmly in control.
It’s the first time Watt had double-figure sacks since last September and teammates said he nearly called it.
“You all wouldn’t understand, in the fourth quarter that man came to us and started talking and three plays later made a play,” said Steelers safety Jaquan Brisker. “I told you all he’s one of my favorite players and he showed it again, he is who he is.”
Then his teammates reminded us of all of the talk that his best days are behind him.
“He’s the best in the world,” said Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth. “Just funny after last year everyone saying he’s fallen off, he’s lost a step, what a statement he made in front of our fans, two sacks and a Pick Six. I’m glad he’s on our team.”
“Crazy, crazy, everybody knows that’s TJ,” said Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen. “I saw the talk about him on line and it’s crazy how a guy can be dominant for so long and then one year he gets hurt and deals with some adversity and everyone is trying to turn the page on him. I’m just happy for him to go out and be himself.”
“Definitely keep those receipts when everybody saying that he’s old, he’s washed,” said Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig. “Put the tape on, he’s a dawg.
He’s different bro, he’s a Hall of Fame player. I’m just blessed and honored to be around that guy every day and learn from him.”
“T.J. has just been on a different level this year throughout the entire training camp,” Rodgers said. “I've seen his leadership be at an all-time high. He gave a great impassioned speech (pregame), and for anybody who hasn't seen it before, it can't help but get you inspired when he starts talking pregame and what a game.”
But it was more his actions than his talk helping the Steelers to starting the season 1-0.
Oh, one more thing
Heyward just couldn’t resist taking an opportunity while Watt was having a moment.
“I give him a lot of crap because he was a high school quarterback,” Heyward said. “He was terrible. He should have been playing tight end way before then, but he’s got good hands. Reminds me of his big brother.”
Reaction from TJ, teammates on play and how good he still is
Reaction from TJ, teammates on play and how good he still is
