Joe Burrow Gives T.J. Watt a Ringing Endorsement
Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt has recorded seven interceptions in his seven-year career. And two of those interceptions have come off Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.
In an interview with the Pardon My Take podcast, Joe Burrow was asked by Steelers fan Jersey Jerry of Barstool Sports if he feels Watt’s presence on the outside when playing Pittsburgh.
“Yeah, I can definitely feel [him],” Burrow said. “T.J. is a unique player in this league. There’s no other defensive lineman that I have to treat like a DB. I have to be conscious about where he’s at because he’s just going to jump up and catch it. And there’s nobody else who can do that.
“You have to be alert for him in the pass game, which is very unique, I would say.”
Joe Burrow on TJ Watt:
"T.J. is a unique player in this league. There's no other defensive lineman I have to treat like a DB. I have to be conscious of where he's at. Because he's going to jump up and catch it. And there's nobody else who can do that."#steelers… pic.twitter.com/cUZBiSGLqz
— Matthew Luciow (@matthewluciow92) July 8, 2024
Both of Watt’s interceptions on Burrow came in 2022. They were similar plays, too. Watt timed the throw and jumped up to haul in the interception.
Badgers doing what they do at the Next Level
TJ Watt intercepts Joe Burrow ✅ pic.twitter.com/iBcaerxl8k
— IKE Badgers Podcast (@IKE_Badgers) September 11, 2022
HOW DID TJ WATT PICK THIS? 😱
It's the second time in two games this season, T.J. Watt has intercepted Joe Burrow at the line of scrimmage.
🎥 @NFL | @_TJWatt pic.twitter.com/BlBbEmbtQW
— The Athletic NFL (@TheAthleticNFL) November 20, 2022
“I’ve never seen plays like that before by a defensive lineman. He’s made two of them against me this year. I’d love to say there’s something I can do about that, but there’s just nothing I can do about that,” Burrow said at the time of Watt’s interception in Week 11 of the 2022 season.
Watt is heading into his eighth season and will turn 30 on Oct. 11. He knows that he doesn’t have forever to play, so winning in the playoffs is something that he covets, especially a Super Bowl. Watt has never won a playoff game.
“For me, it is all about no playoff wins,” Watt told Mark Kaboly of The Athletic. “I am trying to do anything I can do. We have so much turnover year to year and so many new guys that it is trying to learn as much as possible coming from guys from other organizations that have done it and won championships since being in the league.
“I am going to do whatever is possible to win. It is about not taking any day for granted, and when it comes down to executing and working, putting everything aside and getting it done.”
The AFC North is expected to be the best division in football again this season. If Burrow can stay healthy, the Bengals should be one of the top teams in the AFC. The Steelers will meet Burrow and the Bengals in Week 13 and Week 18 in 2024.
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