BUFFALO (93.7 The Fan) – Think about the worry about TJ Watt at this time last week. Whether fans thought he was selfish or whether fans thought the Steelers were in the wrong. Every hour last week created a bigger divide and concern about his future.
Days later, Watt not only played. He made impact plays for the Steelers in an upset win in Buffalo.
“I felt really fresh,” Watt said. “Never wanted to get too confident with how I felt ‘cause I didn’t know coming into the game atmosphere and the hype and adrenaline that comes with it.”
“He’s fine,” said Steelers defensive captain Cam Heyward smiling. “He’s had a heck of a week. Not everybody can do what he does. For him to go out there and handle it the way he handled it. Capitalize on it with a win like this. Pretty proud of him.”
“It wasn’t always pretty for him. He wanted to be out there with us. Got done, everybody’s happy. Then you got to capitalize with the W on top of it.”
Heyward would know about making big plays, he made a couple himself including cashing in on a strip sack by Watt.
Second quarter with the Bills leading and setting up with a first and 10 from the Steelers 35 after a short punt. On third down, under pressure, Allen started rolling to his left. Catching him from behind and knocking the ball out was Watt. Heyward recovered and while the Steelers offense didn’t do anything with it. The defense continued to keep the team in the game while the offense tried to figure things out.
“I think he does a great job of capitalizing on what the offense gives him,” Heyward said. “I think understanding when his number is called and he’s going to get single coverage. He’s going to make them pay. I works hand-in-hand to have a great defense to go along with TJ.”
Watt would agree that it’s not just him. He believes the addition of Melvin Ingram gives them options.
”The 3-man rotation we have with Alex (Highsmith) and Melvin is something that is going to be real special,” Watt said. “We are a real unselfish group. That’s why I’m looking forward to playing with both of them.”
“We had something like that last year with Bud, TJ and Alex,” Heyward said. “To replicate that with a guy like Melvin Ingram. We are pretty lucky. We don’t take that for granted.”
Watt would get another sack on a third down in the second half along with five quarterback hurries.
“Were you surprised? Me either,” said quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. “I don’t think anybody else was. It just shows that the preseason’s overrated, right?"
“Not at all,” said Steelers defensive back Cam Sutton when asked if surprised by Watt’s impact. “We know that guy’s motor. We know how hard he works each-and -every day. The energy he brings each-and-every day. His presence is always felt regardless of him not being with us the whole time leading up to this moment.”
“You can just see how hungry he was to continue to showcase the things he’s been putting on.”
It seems nationally, Watt has been chasing the numbers from Aaron Donald. When Donald missed training camp in 2018, he didn’t get a sack until his fifth game.
Watt got his in the second quarter of the first game and the Steelers got a key early win Sunday in Buffalo.