Plays of the Year: Watt rips and recovers on strip-sack

Steel City Underground presents “Plays of the Year” featuring the top runs, catches, hits, and everything else in between from Pittsburgh Steelers fixtures in the 2024 season.

Nearly midway through the 2024 NFL regular season, the Pittsburgh Steelers hadn’t quite sealed their victory in the fourth quarter of their Monday Night Football game at Acrisure Stadium against the New York Giants. Leading 26-18, Russell Wilson had fumbled the ball during a run, which the Giants recovered. Undeterred, defensive team captain T.J. Watt focused on one goal: getting the ball back.

On 1st and 10 from the Pittsburgh 37, Daniel Jones completed a short pass to Malik Nabers for 9 yards. The Giants converted the first down with a 6-yard carry by Tyrone Tracy, Jr. In a hurry-up offense, Jones again handed the ball to Tracy for only a 2-yard gain; the Giants running back was shaken up on the play after Cameron Heyward made the stop.

On 2nd and 8 at the Pittsburgh 20, Jones attempted a keeper that was almost comical as Watt snagged him by the ankles. With just 2:59 left in the game, on 3rd and 7 at the 19, Jones took the snap from shotgun and quickly regretted it. Watt shot off the line, easily beating the lone blocker—the right tackle—and outmaneuvering him to swim to Jones’s back. He stripped the ball loose before a pass could be made. The ball squirted to the turf, and Watt twisted to fall on his own forced fumble.