T.J. Watt may not lead the league in sacks proper now, however he’s nonetheless been arguably the NFL’s greatest go rusher. He’s been an absolute game-wrecker by three weeks, serving to lead the Pittsburgh Steelers to an undefeated report. This week, Watt and the Steelers will attempt to avenge their late-season loss to the Indianapolis Colts final 12 months. Nevertheless, Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson says they’ve acquired some issues deliberate to sluggish Watt down.
“All people is aware of he’s a possible Corridor of Famer,” Richardson stated Wednesday by way of Locked On Colts. “He is a good man, excessive motor, a variety of effort. He’s fairly robust, bodily, so we undoubtedly have a couple of issues for him, so he doesn’t get to the quarterback.”
That echoes what the Colts’ head coach and offensive coordinator stated as properly. It sounds just like the Colts have put an enormous emphasis on Watt, which is smart contemplating how dominant he’s been. It’s unclear what that technique is, however it could be spectacular in the event that they lastly cracked the code on how you can cease Watt. Each different crew has failed up to now.
Their offensive line has been stout by three video games, solely permitting 4 sacks. It’s a veteran group, on that also needs to have a excessive degree of communication. Watt has been a pressure of nature this 12 months although. The Colts appear assured they’ll cease him, however that is likely to be simpler stated than carried out.
“It was form of like final 12 months enjoying towards Aaron Donald,” Richardson stated. “You possibly can’t simply go away him one-on-one. Hopefully our scheme schemes out.”
Donald is arguably the perfect defensive participant ever, in order that’s excessive reward from Richardson. Final 12 months, the Colts’ sport plan for Donald didn’t work out nice. He completed with one sack, two hits on the quarterback, and three tackles for loss. He additionally had a strip-sack that was taken away attributable to a penalty within the Rams’ win.
Not that the Colts will discover success in the event that they defend like they Watt final 12 months. Richardson didn’t play in that sport, however Watt nonetheless completed with two sacks and two tackles for loss. The Steelers misplaced, however Watt made an impression.
We’ll see what plan the Colts have for Watt, however he’s in all probability made it his mission to crush any technique they’ve for him. He isn’t always within the working for Defensive Participant of the Yr for nothing. He may additionally doubtlessly be enjoying the Colts’ backup proper deal with. Hopefully he can add to his sack whole and assist the Steelers win the sport. Normally, these two issues go hand in hand.
