Daily News & Links: Tom Brady on Steelers’ Loss to Eagles; Baldy’s Breakdown on T.J. Watt’s Punch Out

Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady before a Steelers-Eagles game on Dec. 15, 2024. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

Chris Ward |

Updated: Dec 17, 2024

Steelers Daily News & Links: Your daily stop for all of the news and links from the Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL

🏈 Tom Brady believes the Pittsburgh Steelers will learn from their lopsided 27-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.

“If they go to Baltimore, which they are, they’re gonna have to play a clean game. Limit penalties, limit turnovers,” Brady said. “The thing they did last time they played Baltimore, they possessed the football, 36-minute time of possession. It’s gotta be a similar formula. I think they’re gonna learn from what happened Sunday and be much better next week.”

🏈 NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger broke down T.J. Watt’s forced fumble on Jalen Hurts in Sunday’s game. Over the years, Watt has perfected the “punch out.” He has a league-best six forced fumbles this season.

.@steelers @_TJWatt @Eagles with this perfectly calculated "punch out". League leading 14th fumble recovery in 14 games. #Herewego #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/4CAhuJMOrW
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) December 16, 2024

🏈 Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt was the highest-graded Steelers player (88.7) from Sunday’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, according to Pro Football Focus.

Watt had seven tackles (five solos), two sacks, two quarterback hits, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble before leaving in the fourth quarter. He now has 11.5 sacks on the season and a league-best six forced fumbles.

The highest-graded Steelers in Week 15 vs the Eagles:

🥇 T.J. Watt – 88.7
🥈 Alex Highsmith – 72.4
🥉 Damontae Kazee – 70.0
🏅 Nick Herbig – 68.7
🏅 Calvin Austin III – 68.1

(min. 25 snaps) pic.twitter.com/tdUjBdQb2K
— PFF PIT Steelers (@PFF_Steelers) December 16, 2024

🏈 The 11 plays the Steelers ran after halftime are the fewest by any NFL team since Seattle ran 10 plays in the second half of a 41-7 loss to the New York Giants in November, 2010, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

🏈 Mina Kimes thinks George Pickens is highly underrated.

“He’s just so fundamental to what Russ Wilson does. It’s a very deep ball-dependent offense. It’s very explosive,” Kimes said on the Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams. “It’s a little bit inconsistent. When you take out a guy who literally catches everything thrown his way, suddenly that explosive element is gone, and you’re just getting a lot of three-and-outs. That’s not to shade Russ. That’s just the style of the offense. It’s a bit boom-or-bust, especially when they’re not running the ball well. He’s so underrated, and I think you’re really seeing that right now in his absence.”

🏈 Monday marked the 24th anniversary of the Steelers last game at Three Rivers Stadium, a 24-3 win over the Washington Redskins. The Steelers’ all-time record at Three Rivers was 183-72 (.718). From 1972 through 1979, they were 61-8 (.884) at home.

December 16, 2000

FINAL GAME AT #PITTSBURGH'S THREE RIVERS STADIUM#Steelers' all-time record at Three Rivers: 183-72 (.718)

From 1972 through 1979, they were an astounding 61-8 (.884) at home. #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/UZj71Uratt
— Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) December 17, 2024

🏈 T.J. Watt’s 33 forced fumbles are the third-most by a player in their first eight seasons since 2000.

🏈 T.J. Watt is still the favorite to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year, but Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II is on his heels.

Updated DPOY odds after Week 15 (ahead of MNF), via @FDSportsbook:

T.J. Watt -155
Pat Surtain II: +380
Nik Bonitto: +1300
Danielle Hunter: +1900
Will Anderson Jr.: +1900
Xavier McKinney: +2200

Surtain is closing the gap, but Watt is still the frontrunner.
— Tommy Jaggi (@TommyJaggi) December 16, 2024