Badger of Honor
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Steelers TJ Watt Might be Trolling Packer Fans

By Noah Seligman

CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 10: DeShone Kizer
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 10: DeShone Kizer /
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Former Wisconsin Badger OLB TJ Watt had an impressive regular season NFL debut.  Watt filled the stat sheet for the Pittsburgh Steelers in its win over the Cleveland Browns.

The dual loyalties of Wisconsin Badger and Green Bay Packer fans was given a little false hope during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

OLB TJ Watt from the University of Wisconsin was still available when his home state Packers were on the clock.  Green Bay traded back and the Pittsburgh Steelers snapped up Watt with the next pick.

After an impressive NFL preseason debut, Watt quickly earned the starting job for the Steelers.  He doesn’t look to be giving up the job anytime soon based on the first week of the NFL season.

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In his first NFL regular season game, Watt led the Steelers in tackles with seven total.  He also added two sacks and an interception for good measure.

The interception was especially crucial as Cleveland was driving inside the Pittsburgh 30 looking to trim a 21-10 deficit.  Instead, Watt showed impressive athleticism.  He read rookie Deshone Kizer’s eyes as he dropped in zone.  He then used every centimeter of his 37-inch vertical leap to grab the interception.

At Wisconsin, Watt was primarily a pin-the-ears-back and get in the backfield type player.  He wasn’t asked to do much in pass coverage.  Watt rushed the passer and racked up tackles-for-loss on running plays.

So this is a nice debut game and the Pittsburgh defense has to be pretty pleased seeing Watt rush the passer, stop the ball carrier, and drop in coverage.  He won’t have to leave the field.

Meanwhile, his older brother left the Houston game early with a finger injury.  But don’t worry, he’s fine.

JJ’s Texans got thumped by NFL offseason Super Bowl champion Jacksonville Jaguars 29-7.  While TJ’s Steelers beat the Browns 21-18.

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Fun bonus note on the Cleveland Pittsburgh game?  TJ Watt led the Steelers in tackles with seven.  But Cleveland linebacker and former Badger Joe Schobert actually had a game high nine stops for the Browns.