Plays of the Year: Watt takes NFL lead in sacks vs Ravens
Steel City Underground presents “Plays of the Year” featuring the top runs, catches, hits and everything else in-between from the Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 season.
On an unusual Saturday afternoon to close out the NFL season the Steelers were in a must-win situation during a wet and chilly game against their division rival the Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers found ways to be disruptive despite the conditions and their near-continual rotation of several defensive positions.
T.J. Watt, a true motivator for Pittsburgh, kicked things into another gear yet again against the AFC North rivals.
In the third quarter of the game, on 3rd & 7 at the Baltimore 24-yard line, Watt was able to get off of two blockers and fold inside as Tyler Huntley stepped into the pocket to secure sack number 18 on the season.
His 18th SACK of the year!!!pic.twitter.com/LXTIbqPbKB
— SportsGrid (@SportsGrid) January 6, 2024
Watt added another sack before the end of the game and a knee injury that forced him to the locker room.
Watt led all NFL defenders in sacks (19) at the end of the game and would go on to be the 2023 season’s sack leader, put his name in the discussion for NFL Defensive Player of the Year with the stats he’s put together this season.
Final 2023 Regular Season Stats
- SOLO TACKLES: 48
- STUFFS: 9
- SACKS: 19
- FORCED FUMBLES: 4
- FUMBLE RECOVERIES: 3
- INTERCEPTIONS: 1
- PASS DEFENSES: 8
- TOUCHDOWNS: 1
T.J. Watt, 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Candidate
Sacks: 17.0, 1st
QB hits: 33, t-1st
Fumble Recoveries: 3, t-2nd
Forced Fumbles: 4, t-5th
Tackles for Loss: 16, t-6th#HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/zzwrwETXYX— Michael Bertsch (@SteelersPRMike) December 29, 2023