Steel City Underground presents “Plays of the Year” featuring the top runs, catches, hits and everything else in-between from the Pittsburgh Steelers 2021 season.

After all the preseason chatter about whether or not the Pittsburgh Steelers would, or should, sign T.J. Watt to a new contract, and just two days removed from putting pen to paper and making a new deal that made him the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL official, the outside linebacker gave a performance to remember to kickoff the 2021 season.

Leading up to game-day, there remained plenty of discussion among experts, analysts, and pundits as to whether Watt would even be ready to play, since he had been negotiating with the team over his contract and missed some time from practicing with his familiar and new teammates as a result. Watt was fully prepared, as head coach Mike Tomlin predicted earlier in the week ahead of the game against the Buffalo Bills.

“He’s had a heck of a week. For (Watt) to go out there and handle it and the way he handled it and capitalized on it, with a win like this, pretty proud of him.” – Cameron Heyward

Watt showed why he was worth every penny of the new contract from the onset of the season. He earned his first sack after Pressley Harvin kicked a poor punt that gave Buffalo possession of the ball at the Pittsburgh 35-yard line.

On third-and-13, from the 38, Watt, Heyward, and Melvin Ingram nearly had a jail break against the Bills’ offensive line, with Heyward getting deep penetration into the offensive backfield. Watt, working his way around an over-extended right tackle, was able to grab Josh Allen as the Buffalo quarterback attempted to avoid Heyward.

As Watt collided with Allen, he was able to use his long arms to reach around Allen’s back and strip the ball out of the young quarterback’s hands. Heyward was able to recover the loose ball at the 45-yard line.

Watt finished the game with three tackles, one tackle for a loss, two sacks, the forced fumble, and five quarterback hurries!

His performance gave the Steelers an exceptional boost and helped Pittsburgh come back from a 10-point deficit to defeat the heavily-favored Bills at Highmark Stadium, 23-16 to open their 2021 campaign.