How much did Week 4 hurt Steelers LB T.J. Watt's DPOY campaign?
Pittsburgh Steelers LB T.J. Watt was off to a dominant start in 2023, but like the rest of his team, he underwhelmed in the Week 4 loss to the Houston Texans. How much did it hurt his NFL Defensive Player of the Year campaign?
It certainly didn't help, but he's still in the hunt for his second time winning the award. Following strong performances by Chargers LB Khalil Mack and Jaguars LB Josh Allen, Watt is now in a three-way tie for the most sacks on the season with six.
Through the first three weeks of the season, Watt was off to an unprecedented start. He became the first player in NFL history to record six sacks and have a defensive touchdown in a team's first three games of a season, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
No one expected the 28-year-old to stay on that pace, which would have resulted in him totaling 34 sacks by season's end, but he was a complete nonfactor against an injured Houston offensive line. Watt had just two tackles and one quarterback hit in the 30-6 loss.
Nonetheless, Watt can still win his second DPOY Award in 2023 if he gets back to being dominant in Week 5.
There is a lot of season left, and he is still tied for the most forced fumbles (2) and tied for the third-most tackles for a loss (5) on the year.
Pittsburgh will need him to be a force with the Ravens (3-1) coming to town in Week 5 in what will be a physical AFC North matchup.
The Steelers may also be without QB Kenny Pickett, who suffered a bone bruise on his knee last weekend, making Watt's impact even more important.
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