T.J. Watt is on pace to break Michael Strahan's NFL single-season sack record

(Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

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.

Watt's main competition for DPOY is Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs, who leads the league in interceptions with nine, and Browns defensive end Myles Garrett who is second in sacks with 14. Garrett has played in two more games than Watt, but Watt has still outproduced Garrett in all the major defensive statistic categories.

Along with Steelers Nation, Minkah Fitzpatrick also feels that Watt has been robbed from being named DPOY the last two years. “He’s definitely deserving of the DPOY award. He’s been robbed of that the past two years, so hopefully he can get that this year.”

Watt is well on his way to finally getting that recognition. Especially if he breaks Strahan's 20-year record and if he does it in 16 games. And the two games that Watt has missed this year has to be considered, as well.