Good Wednesday to you Steelers fans.
After being slighted the last two seasons in the race for the Defensive Player of the Year Award, T.J. Watt should be well on his way to that award in 2021. He’s currently tied with James Harrison on the Steelers’ single-season sack record list with 16. And that’s through just ten games. If he threatens or breaks Michael Strahan’s record of 22.5 sacks then the talk of a possible Most Valuable Player Award must be taken seriously. Even Ben Roethlisberger sung his praises yesterday when asked about him. Thursday night, Watt is likely to go up against an average offensive tackle which means chips and blocks from tight ends and running backs. In the final four games, the QBs he’ll face are Ryan Tannehill, Patrick Mahomes, Baker Mayfield and Lamar Jackson. Each of the those guys, like Kirk Cousins, are playing with depleted offensive lines save for maybe Mahomes. The one thing that cannot be measured is Watt himself. He seems to be on a different level right now perhaps fueled by his need to validate his contract and/or prove he is the best at what he does. Either way, he’s on his way to some serious accolades in 2021.
The Podcast
On the latest edition (both audio and video versions available) of the SCB Steelers Podcast presented by DEK Roofing Inc… We discussed the huge win over Baltimore… Great performances by Watt, Wormley, Diontae and more… We discussed Harbaugh’s decision to go for two… Will 9-7-1 get the Steelers into the postseason and much more.
Tweet of the Day… Trent Jordan Watt
.@_TJWatt just loves the game ?#ProBowlVote | Full ?: https://t.co/dLPU4HNP9U pic.twitter.com/oxENpYYjAZ
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 8, 2021
From the Training Room
STEELERS
QB Ben Roethlisberger (Pectoral/ Rt. Shoulder) – Full
WR Chase Claypool (Toe) – Full
CB Joe Haden (Foot) – DNP
LB Robert Spillane (Knee) – DNP
OL Trai Turner (Coaches Decision) – Full
OL B.J. Finney (Back) – DNP
DE Isaiah Buggs (Ankle) – DNP
DT Cameron Heyward (Coaches Decision) – Full
VIKINGS
RB Dalvin Cook (Shoulder) – Limited
WR Adam Thielen (Ankle) – DNP
LB Blake Lynch (Hip) – Limited
T Christian Darrisaw (Ankle) – DNP
LB Anthony Barr (Knee/Hamstring) – Full
LB Ryan Connelly (Quadriceps) – Full
S Camryn Bynum (Ankle) – Limited
LB Eric Kendricks (Biceps) – Full
CB Mackensie Alexander (Ribs) Full
CB Bashaud Breeland (Groin) – Full
CB Patrick Peterson (NIR) – Full
Injury Notes… Minnesota had a re-shuffled O-Line last week in Detroit and it looks like it’s headed in that direction again… Looking more and more like Joe Haden won’t be available… Spillane is off the Covid-19 list but he’s still nursing a bad knee.
Dan Moore
Let’s consider this for a moment… Dan Moore was a fourth round pick. He possessed many of the attributes you want in a left tackle but this year was going to be about “learning” and “developing.” Due to a number of factors, he was thrust into the starting lineup and hasn’t left it in 12 games. There have been some ugly moments and there have been some good ones. The fact that the Steelers have gone with him and haven’t replaced him speaks to what they think of him and that they aren’t impressed with their depth either. My point is that Moore is getting valuable experience that will serve him well as well as the team.
Pro Bowl
Voting for the 2022 NFL Pro Bowl is now underway. You can vote for all of your favorite Steelers by clicking this link right here. I’m of the opinion that Chris Boswell, Cam Heyward, Diontae Johnson and T.J. Watt should 100% be on their way to this game.
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