Pittsburgh Steelers exterior linebacker T.J. Watt channels his internal “Waterboy,” Bobby Boucher, whereas starring alongside brothers J.J. and Derek in a brand new TV spot for Previous El Paso.
Watt’s capacity to interrupt character stays to be seen. As with the Adam Sandler icon of yesteryear, the youngest Watt brother rightly can mutter, “Cease making enjoyable of me,” earlier than bullrushing would-be bullies.
Watt enters Saturday’s AFC wild card sport at Baltimore winless in 4 profession postseason appearances and helps show distress loves firm. The Steelers haven’t received within the playoffs since advancing to the convention championship sport after the 2016 season. Watt joined the fold the next 12 months and seemingly speaks for the locker room when venting his frustration about Pittsburgh’s playoff pratfalls.
“It’s been no secret from the beginning,” Watt mentioned.
Counterpart Lindsey Willhite wrote this week that the Detroit Lions face probably the most strain among the many NFL’s 14 playoff groups. The Steelers certainly observe their Rust Belt brethren someplace close to the entrance of the road.
Sparked by a resurgent Russell Wilson at quarterback and a reinvigorated protection, Pittsburgh distanced itself from a 3-2 begin with a 7-1 run that vaulted the Steelers to the highest of the AFC North standings. An 18-16 residence win towards the Ravens in Week 11 put Pittsburgh forward by two video games within the loss column.
Whereas a gauntlet to shut the common season loomed, securing the No. 2 seed within the AFC appeared believable. All of the preseason chatter about merely fixing inconsistency at QB and letting the speeding assault and a veteran ‘D’ do its factor was coming to go.
Then the Steelers mimicked the fictional, pre-Boucher SCLSU Mud Canines, shedding by a mixed 50 factors towards Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Kansas Metropolis. The rating towards Cincinnati in Week 18 was narrower—19-17—however the outcome remained the identical: a defeat.
After averaging 28 factors and 372 yards a sport in Wilson’s first seven begins after relieving an up-and-down Justin Fields, the offense slumped to averages of 14 factors and 259 yards over the ultimate 4 video games.
Pittsburgh’s protection regressed, too, permitting 381 yards per sport and forcing simply 5 turnovers within the closing 4 contests.
All of it added as much as the Steelers’ first four-game shedding streak to shut an everyday season since 1998, the 12 months “The Waterboy” was launched.
“All people on this room acquired to need it,” Pittsburgh linebacker Alex Highsmith mentioned. “That’s the one means we’re going to maneuver on and get higher.”
Saturday presents an opportunity to reverse a painful sample versus a well-known foe. Earlier than the Ravens defeated the Steelers 34-17 in Week 16, taking management of the division behind three Lamar Jackson landing passes, Pittsburgh had received seven of eight towards Baltimore. Every assembly was determined by seven factors or much less.
Baltimore restricted Watt to at least one sack, two quarterback hits and two tackles for loss through the common season. Watt has only one profession playoff sack to his title.
“I’ve acquired loads of time left,” Watt mentioned. “However there’s an urgency to win, there’s. No one likes to lose.”
Kicker Chris Boswell and defensive deal with Cam Heyward are the lone Steelers to win a playoff sport with the staff.
Certain as Watt’s newest business will loop into postseason perpetuity, Pittsburgh should choose up manufacturing to flip the script.
