Game days for the Watt family are much different now than in recent years, simply because pittsburgh steelers The star edge rusher in the league is TJ Watt, while his older brother, JJ, and younger brother and former teammate, Derek, have both retired.
he too meaning jj And Derek both remain involved with TJ and the Steelers every week, which has led to plenty of looks at quarterback Justin Fields.
Russell Wilson may be healthy this week, but it appears Fields will continue to start for Mike Tomlin’s team, and rightly so. Pittsburgh is 3-1, and although they suffered their first loss of the season last week against the Indianapolis Colts, it was Fields who was making consistent plays to keep them in the game.
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields, #2, tries to throw a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, September 29, 2024 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Fields has not been attractive at all. In fact, new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith was trying to work him into a starting role at the beginning of the year by emphasizing the run game and easy pass concepts.
However, while the Watt brothers watched TJ rack up three sacks and 12 tackles in four games, they have been impressed with what Fields has put on the gridiron so far in this new chapter with Pittsburgh.
“He’s improved every game,” JJ told Fox News Digital. “They’ve made it a little easier for him from the beginning to focus on the running game and give him some easy completions in that first game, as he talked about. Arthur Smith talked about how he Not wanting to throw the ball to Jesse Bates, so just trying to make the game easier for him.
JJ Watt on frustrations of playing against Tom Brady, Bill Belichick: ‘Two of the best ever’
“As he’s gone on each week, his confidence has increased. Obviously, his running ability, we all know about it, so it adds up. But he’s believing in himself and the team is believing in him.” There’s trust, so everything is coming together, and it’s working out great.”
Derek continued, “I think he’s done really well, like JJ said. I mean, really managing the game well, and the plays he can make with his legs. “He brings that extra dynamism to it. He did a great job of doing what they needed to do to win the game. The last game was a little tough, and I thought he played well and gave them a fighting chance.” “He’s done a lot to help us win games and that’s all you can really ask for.”
This is the key; Fields isn’t being flashy or trying to do much.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields, #2, throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, September 29, 2024 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The Steelers are averaging just 18.8 points per game, which ranks 24th in the league. However, they are averaging 128.5 yards rushing per game, which is 10th best. Fields is adding to that total with his runs while throwing for 207.5 yards per game at a 70.6% completion rate.
Pittsburgh obviously wants to increase that number, but what matters to Coach Tomlin and the rest of the group is the win-loss record, which currently puts them on top of the AFC North.
However, the Steelers would not have been in this position without a stellar defense, which allowed the fourth fewest yards per game (261.3) and second fewest points per contest (13.3).
Watts knows his brother had something to do with it, as tj The offensive lines have been troubling over the past seven seasons. He had 19 sacks to lead the league last year, although Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett was named Defensive Player of the Year. However, TJ was given that award in 2021.
“We text all day, every day,” JJ said of how the two brothers interact with TJ on game day. “We literally texted a couple hundred times just this morning. So, game day is the same thing. Texting during the game, texting after the game. So, we’re in constant communication. It’s the best thing about having two brothers. part, and it’s also the strangest thing to have two brothers playing in the NFL. There’s really no one on this planet who can have that kind of conversation with their brothers.”
“Virtually every game in the group chat starts with a text in capital letters ‘GAMEDAY TJ’ with lots of exclamation points in it,” Derek said. “Then, find out how he’s feeling, and yes, on game day we’re totally into watching him and blowing up his phone after the game to get our thoughts. Yeah, just watching him. “And it sure feels good to keep in touch.”
JJ Watt, left, appears with his brothers Derek Watt and TJ Watt, right, on the red carpet before the NFL Honors awards presentation at the YouTube Theatre. (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
The Watts are a cohesive band of brothers that truly champion each other, and it’s on full display every week when TJ takes the field in black and gold.
However, the Steelers have been lacking consistency at the quarterback position in such a good defense since the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger, and more is still expected from Fields. He has proven that he can lead Pittsburgh to wins.
Game Day Tacos for Watts
JJ and Derek may no longer be competing on the field, but that doesn’t mean the competitive juices aren’t still flowing.
This was put on full display when they all, including TJ’s, partnered with Old El Paso for a head-to-head Game Day Taco contest called “What Can Taco,” Where JJ was the host and judge as TJ and Derek had their usual game day meal and made tacos with them.
The results were both satisfyingly competitive and delicious.
JJ said, “Being a judge and tasting them all, some of them were definitely interesting.” “You’re wondering how the soup will turn into a taco. Surprisingly better than I expected. But it very quickly turns into a real competition because you can imagine you’re one of three brothers who are very, very There are competitors. So, even on set, even filming a commercial, it turned into a very real competition, we also got some delicious old El Paso creations, which were phenomenal.
The Watt brothers, JJ, TJ and Derek, make game day-inspired tacos with Old El Paso. (Old El Paso)
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Derek said, “We definitely created some new creations that probably have never been made. We proved that anything can be a taco. One of my favorites was probably the Philly cheesesteak taco I made.”
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