Steelers OLB T.J. Watt Slides to Third in DPOY Odds, Despite Statistical Dominance

Alan Saunders |

Updated: Dec 26, 2023

Steelers OLB T.J. Watt — Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt rushes the passer against the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 23, 2023. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt continues to lead the NFL in sacks, with three over the last two weeks to move to 17 on the season with two games to play.

Watt has four more sacks that Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett and Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons, but trails both of them in the betting odds to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Watt was the favorite at 3/1 on Dec. 19, according to Bet Online. But despite leading the league in sacks, he is now third with 15/4 odds or +375. Parsons is the new leader at 10/11 or -110, while Garrett is a close second at 11/10 or +110.

Watt’s odds haven’t dropped that much, he moved from +300 to +375, but the field has narrowed and Parsons and Garrett have both risen in recent weeks.

That comes despite a lack of splash play for either. Parsons has had a half sack, one tackle for loss, three quarterback hits and nine tackles in his last two games. Garrett has had no sacks, three tackles for loss, no quarterback hits and six tackles over the last two weeks.

Watt’s 17 sacks lead Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals, who is in second place in the NFL with 16 sacks. Danielle Hunter of the Minnesota Vikings (15.5), Khalil Mack of the Los Angeles Chargers (15) and Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders and Josh Allen of the Jacksonville Jaguars (13.5) round out the top five and are all ahead of Garrett and Parsons.

In addition to leading in sacks, Watt is tied for fifth in tackles for loss, tied for the lead in quarterback hits, tied for fifth in forced fumbles and ninth in fumble recoveries. He is ahead of Parsons and Garrett in every major defensive statistical category, except for tackles for a loss, where he and Garrett are tied.

Watt won the award after the 2021 season, when he tied the NFL single-season sack total. Nick Bosa won the award last year, while Watt missed seven games with a pectoral injury.