The Steelers are kicking off the season 1-0 after Week 1, but all eyes are already on TJ Watt after an absolutely insane performance. That’s a huge win to start things off, and now they’re heading straight into a matchup with the New England Patriots this coming Sunday, September 21. But even with a win under their belt, there’s already some serious drama brewing that could shake things up big time.
Watt’s Monster Start and What It Means
Seriously, TJ Watt went off in Week 1 against the Fail-Cons. We’re talking 2 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, 1 pass defensed, and even a pick 6! That’s the kind of playmaking that wins games, no doubt. The big question now is whether this is the start of Watt absolutely shining bright all season, or if he’s going to revert to that “duller meh-to-good 2025 version” that some folks worry about. If he keeps this up, he’s going to be a nightmare for every offensive line out there. And they’ll need that kind of impact, because last year against the *Cheatriots*, Mr. Rodgers and the squad needed a whopping 5 turnovers from the defense just to get the win against Drake Maye. That kind of margin for error is razor thin.
The JPJ Situation is Getting Wild
If Watt’s play is a huge high, the situation with JPJ is a major headache. He’s O-U-T out against the Patriots, and let’s be real, he’s also “on the outs” with a lot of fans right now. This isn’t just a physical injury issue, it’s a whole saga. SteelerFlip even laid out four options the brass supposedly has for JPJ. Do they trade him, trying to salvage whatever they can get back? Or do they challenge the injury through the team doc, independent doc, and arbitrator route, forcing him to play or face fines? Putting him on IR feels like a “fat chance” given the vibe, so the last option is just waiting him out, kind of like Le’veon Bell’s hold out back in the day. Whatever they decide, it’s a huge distraction when you’re trying to build momentum.
This Sunday against the New England Patriots is going to be massive. The Steelers are going into Foxborough shorthanded due to “injuries,” and with JPJ officially out, the heat is on. Can they keep the 1-0 momentum going despite the challenges, or will the *Cheatriots* capitalize on the drama and a depleted roster? We’ll find out what this team is really made of.
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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