Watch: T.J. Watt punches out not one, but two fumbles

On Sunday afternoon, the Pittsburgh Steelers experienced a slow start on defense to their host: the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders used the run and complimented it by targeting tight ends in their opening offensive series. In 10 plays, the Raiders had moved 70 yards and put 7 points on the scoreboard.

Needing a win in Week 6 of the 2024 NFL season, Pittsburgh got the correction they needed to stall Las Vegas’ offense thanks, in large part, to team captain T.J. Watt.

On 2nd & 7 at the Vegas 30, the Raiders were in the process of their fourth series when Watt made his first punch-out of the game. Aidan O’Connell handed the ball off to Dylan Laube for a hard charge at the line, but Watt timed his strike perfectly and forced the fumble. Keeanu Benton was able to recover it and the Steelers offense translated the turnover into 7 points to go up, 12-7 before halftime.

During Las Vegas’ third offensive series of the second half, the Raiders used 6 plays to get 2nd & Goal at the Pittsburgh 6. O’Connell threw a touchdown strike to Alexander Mattison but the play was nullified due to an ineligible player downfield. They made up the yardage on the subsequent replay of the 2nd down from the 11 yard-line to set up 3rd & Goal at the Pittsburgh 1. The handoff went to Ameer Abdullah, but once again Watt got home. Using part of his arm, Watt punched the ball loose and DeShon Elliott was able to scoop it up before being tackled at the 11-yard line.

There's no doubt that T.J. Watt is both a taker and a giver #SteelersNation Watt taketh away, and then gives the ball to the #Steelers offense. Great set of plays against the Raiders pic.twitter.com/uxbuGq1Btq

— Christina Rivers (@3Rivers_Writer) October 14, 2024

Although the Steelers were unable to convert that turnover into points on the scoreboard, Watt’s efforts kept the Raiders from getting their own points.

With two tackles for a loss and the two forced fumbles, Watt became the first Steelers player with two TFLs and a minimum of two FFs in the same game since James Harrison did so in Week 13 of the 2008 NFL season against the New England Patriots. It was Watt’s fifth career game with at least two FFs (per Michael Bertsch of Steelers.com) and his 33rd with at least two TFL.