NFL Analyst: T.J. Watt Facing ‘Get-Right Game’ Week 3 Vs. Patriots

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt stunningly doesn’t have a sack through the first two weeks of the 2025 NFL season.

That’s not where Watt’s struggles end, as other advanced statistics have shown a slow start for the seven-time Pro Bowler.

ESPN NFL analyst Seth Walder wrote on Saturday, however, that Week 3 vs. the New England Patriots could be a “get-right game” for Watt.

“Here’s a shocking number through two weeks: Watt has a 7% pass rush win rate at edge. That’s less than half the average for a starting edge rusher (roughly 16%) and way below his career average of 24%. Watt has been chipped by tight ends an awful lot, but 7% is still shocking now matter how much attention he draws,” Walder said. “If there is a get-right game for Watt, it’s this one. He will likely face Patriots right tackle Morgan Moses, who has the lowest pass block win rate at tackle in the NFL (75%).”

The former AP Defensive Player of the Year’s low output thus far is an indicator of Pittsburgh’s larger concerns on defense.

The Steelers have allowed more than 30 points in the first two games of the season for the first time since 2002. The Patriots, meanwhile, are coming off their first 30-point game in their last 46 contests, dating back to October 2022.

After finishing with a league-best 19.0 sacks during the 2023 season, Watt dropped to 11.5 sacks in 2024, but the rest of his numbers were standard for the 30-year-old. Watt finished the 2024 campaign with 27 quarterback hits, 19 tackles for loss a league-high six forced fumbles and four passes defended as well.

He’s recorded just nine tackles, two quarterback hits and two tackles for loss through two games this year.

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