NFL analyst thinks TJ Watt’s DPOY chances were dented in Steelers loss

NFL analyst thinks TJ Watt’s DPOY chances were dented in Steelers loss

But it wasn’t really a fight. Watt was very quiet all night while Garrett stole the show and helped Cleveland upset Pittsburgh. As expected, the stark difference between Watt and Garrett’s results immediately sparked debate, which could put Watt’s DPOY chances in jeopardy. Kyle Brandt de Good Morning Football believes that Wat could win the most honorable individual award for defensive players.

“I think T.J. Wat has clearly lost this year’s defensive player,” said Brandt. “Right now I don’t think he can win. I know how voters think in a national match like this. I think it’s over.”

Brand wasn’t the only analyst who felt that way. After the game, Shannon Sharpe responded to Watt’s comments with the old “Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose” line. “If you play this game long enough, TJ, you’re going to get robbed,” Sharp explained. “Everyone’s been robbed. Some people who didn’t get a chance to go to the Pro Bowl think he should have gone to the Pro Bowl. Some people think he should have been All-Pro, but he didn’t make it. Someone thinks he should have won a MVP, an attacking player of the year, a defensive player of the year, a recruit of the year or something. If you play this game long enough and you are a good player, you will be robbed. “”

This is the last thing that Steelers fans want to hear after having already been forced to establish a shameful loss for the Browns of Cleveland. But is this true? Is TJ Watt’s chances of winning Defensive Player of the Year really in jeopardy? I understand the arguments made by Brant and Sharpe. With the nation watching and Garrett clearly outshining Watt, it was a memorable moment that could impact the decision of voters who cast their ballots for NFL honors. But don\’t start believing that Watt no longer has a good chance to win the award.

With Garrett\’s stellar performance against the Steelers on Thursday Night Football, his odds of winning his second straight DPOY award skyrocketed from +3500 to +2000, courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. Even if he gets three sacks, it’s hard to imagine Garrett repeating the honor for a second straight season.

Surprisingly, Watt still has a shot at being the next DPOY. The four-time First-Team All-Pro sat at -200 odds before Thursday Night Football, and that is where he remains — holding a convincing lead over Giants DT Dexter Lawrence (+1000) and Chiefs DL Chris Jones (+1000).

Watt\’s raw production is a shell of what it was last year when he earned 19.0 sacks and 36 QB hits. With a 7.2 bag in 11 games, Stillers stars will need great performance in the last seven games section of Pittsburg to solidify DPOY opportunities.

We hope it will happen. Now in his 30s, Watt may have lost a step, but you can\’t keep a good player down for long. The odds suggest T.J. Watt is still the clear and obvious DPOY favorite in 2024, and until that changes, there\’s no reason to think Watt \’lost the Defensive Player of the Year award\’ already.

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