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T.J. Watt’s Pick-Six Leads Steelers’ 20-13 Win

By Drooid · Sep 14, 2026, 2:29 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Watt Records Pick-Six

T.J. Watt recorded a pick-six and two sacks in the Steelers’ 20-13 win over Atlanta.
The pick-six was Watt’s 10th, joining Julius Peppers as the only 100-sack, 10-int players since 1982.
The performance raised Watt’s totals to 117 sacks, 10 interceptions and 521 tackles.
Mike McCarthy earned his first victory as head coach after replacing Mike Tomlin.
The Steelers improved to 1-0 and will face the Patriots next week.

Summary

Cook Highlights Protection Flaws

Dylan Cook allowed three pressures and one sack in Week 1, exposing the Steelers’ right-side protection.
Right guard Spencer Anderson and Cook struggled to generate push, contributing to the run game’s lack of momentum.
Aaron Rodgers was sacked in the fourth quarter, ending a drive and removing the Steelers from field-goal range.
The Steelers converted three of 13 third-down attempts and missed both fourth-down opportunities.

History

Historical Context

In 1978, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ “Steel Curtain” defense dominated the NFL, finishing the season with a league-best 48 sacks and a 14-1 record. Defensive end “Mean” Joe Greene recorded 12 sacks and 3 forced fumbles, while linebacker Jack Lambert posted 124 tackles, illustrating the unit’s ferocity. Similarly, T.J. Watt’s 2024 pick-six and 117 career sacks echo the Steelers’ historic pass-rush legacy, as rookie Dylan Cook’s protection woes highlight ongoing defensive challenges. The franchise’s tradition of elite pressure forces future coaches like Mike McCarthy to prioritize aggressive schemes, shaping the Steelers’ defensive identity for decades.

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Watt Records Pick-Six

T.J. Watt recorded a pick-six and two sacks in the Steelers’ 20-13 win over Atlanta.
The pick-six was Watt’s 10th, joining Julius Peppers as the only 100-sack, 10-int players since 1982.
The performance raised Watt’s totals to 117 sacks, 10 interceptions and 521 tackles.
Mike McCarthy earned his first victory as head coach after replacing Mike Tomlin.
The Steelers improved to 1-0 and will face the Patriots next week.

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