That T.J. Watt pick-six wasn’t just a highlight reel play against the Atlanta Falcons, it was the deciding factor in the Steelers’ 20-13 victory to kick off their 2026 NFL season. Yeah, the Falcons came to play, even with Cooper Rush at quarterback, making it a close one. The offense clearly has some things to clean up, but what was undeniable was the sheer dominance of the Steelers’ defense, led by a guy who apparently some folks just forgot about.
Vintage Watt, And Those Numbers Don’t Lie
Talk about a statement. Watt absolutely went off in his season debut, reminding everyone what he’s capable of. He racked up four pressures, two sacks, two hurries, two tackles, and four defensive stops. The dude was everywhere! And yeah, we mentioned that pick-six? It sealed the deal, plain and simple. PFF saw it too, handing him a monster 92.3 defensive grade, an 81.4 run defense grade, a 73.9 tackling grade, and a ridiculous 90.8 pass rushing grade. Those aren’t just good numbers, they’re elite numbers, a full display of why he’s considered one of the best when he’s healthy and on the field.
Patrick Queen Spills The Truth: The League Forgot T.J. Watt
After the game, Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen didn’t hold back, calling out the online critics who’d been talking about Watt. “I saw how they talk about him online,” Queen said. “It’s crazy how a guy can be dominant for so long, and then one year he gets hurt… and everybody tries to turn the page on him.” He’s not wrong, is he? With Myles Garrett getting traded to the Los Angeles Rams after his record-breaking sack season and DPOY award, a lot of people seemed to push Watt out of the conversation because of his 2025 injury. Recency bias is a real thing, and marveling at Garrett’s accomplishments shouldn’t discredit Watt’s talent.
Sunday was a remarkable reminder that Watt, when healthy and leading that stingy Steelers defense, is as good as anyone on any given Sunday. If this is the kind of fire Watt’s bringing to the field after just one game, the rest of the league needs to be on high alert. He wants to change that narrative, and he just started doing it in a big way. You just can’t count out a player like that.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Behind the Steel Curtain.
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