(Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
As expected, T.J. Watt was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his dominant performance against the Ravens on Sunday that resulted in a thrilling 20-19 victory for the Steelers.
Against the Ravens, Watt recorded six total tackles (five solos), 3.5 sacks, three tackles for a loss, six quarterback hits and a forced fumble. Watt also had a career-high 12 pressures.
With five games remaining, T.J. Watt is range of making NFL history. Following his 3.5 sack performance against the Ravens on Sunday, Watt is on pace to break Michael Strahan's NFL single-season sack record of 22.5 sacks (2001). If Watt breaks Strahan's single-season sack record, I don't know how the Associated Press doesn't give him Defensive Player of the Year.
Watt is accomplishing rare feats right now, as he's the second player since 1982 to record at least 13.0 sacks in four consecutive seasons, joining Reggie White, who did it twice (1985-88 and 1990-93). White is regarded as one of the best defensive players to ever play the game.
Watt should also obliterate James Harrison's single-season franchise record for sacks, which was set in 2008. Watt has already tied the record with his 16 sacks.
This is the second time this season that Watt has won AFC Defensive Player of the Week, as won the honor in Week 6 against the Seahawks. This is also the fifth time Watt has won AFC Defensive Player of the Week.
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