CLEVELAND — The Pittsburgh Steelers have long been known for selecting and honing the skills of the top defensive players in college football, and for decades, they have reaped the benefits that labor, especially in 2019.
With the offense undergoing several changes because of injuries to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and running back James Conner, the Steelers have relied on their defense, and third-year linebacker T.J. Watt has led the way with his pass rushing prowess.
“He’s one of those elusive dudes that uses his hands well,” said Browns right tackle Chris Hubbard, who expects to see a lot of Watt come Thursday. “He’s always playing at a high level. He’s a smart guy, too. He’s one of those guys you can’t slack on. You have to get your hands on him and take care of business after that.
“He’s the best one I’ll probably face this year. I guarantee you that. Him and Von (Miller) were probably the two guys that’s up there for me. He can go speed to power in a flash, and he’s flashy with his hands.”
RELATED | ‘I feel like it’s close.’ Cleveland Browns QB Baker Mayfield, WR Odell Beckham Jr. nearly in sync
Now in his third year with the Steelers out of the University of Wisconsin, Watt has registered 31 total tackles, including 20 solo stops and 11 assists, with a team-leading 9.5 sacks for 69 lost yards and eight tackles for loss.
Additionally, Watt has 22 quarterback hits, one interception, three passes defended, four forced fumbles and three recoveries this season.
“His ability to bend and turn the corner, his effort, his passion,” Browns coach Freddie Kitchens said on what makes Watt such a playmaker for the Steelers. “(He has) a very, very high motor, doesn’t quit, just keeps coming, and he’s a very special player.”
Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield added, “He is one of those guys you have to know where he is. They are doing some things to move him around, give him different looks and have him stand up in the box or on the edge. He just makes a lot of plays. He is a smart player, he has played ball for a while, he recognizes plays quickly and he is able to react.”
When Watt has not gotten to the opposing quarterbacks, the Steelers have found ways to make plays in the secondary.
Although acquired midseason, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick has registered 34 total tackles, tied for seventh on the team, including 25 solo stops and nine assists, five interceptions, eight passes defended, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
“Anytime you can add a playmaker in the back end, the ball just kind of finds him,” Kitchens said. “He’s always in the right spot. He’s great with his eyes. It’s almost like he knows where the ball is going before it’s going to be there. He does a good job of being where he’s supposed to be, and being where he’s not supposed to be when there’s a play to be made.”
And when Fitzpatrick is not making plays, former Browns Pro Bowl cornerback Joe Haden is doing what he can to make a difference.
Now in his 10th NFL season out of the University of Florida, Haden has the Steelers’ fourth-most tackles, 47, including 41 solo stops with one interception, nine passes defended and a forced fumble.
“He’s playing very good,” Kitchens said of Haden. “Their whole secondary is playing very good.
“Anytime you can have that many takeaways, they’re doing a lot of good with their eyes. You can tell they do a lot of studying during the course of the week. They’re well coached defensively.
“Overall, a good defensive football team, one of the best in the league.”