The Pittsburgh Steelers' players have a long history of getting disrespected by the EA Sports Madden NFL video game series. The Steelers seemingly receive awful ratings year in and year out in the series and this year hasn't been any different.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, T.J. Watt (#90) celebrates alongside defensive tackle, Cameron Heyward (#97) and linebacker, Alex Highsmith (#56). | NFL.com
The NFL's reigning Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY), Steelers defensive superstar, TJ Watt received a 96 player rating on this year's iteration of the video game, Madden 23. The rating would be okay and fans probably wouldn't gripe as much if Cleveland Browns edge rusher, Myles Garrett wasn't given the game's most elite rating, joining Madden's "99 club."
It's not just Steelers fans angry about the two players' ratings on the video game series, but NFL Network's morning show, Good Morning Football (GMFB) did a segment Wednesday, in which they discussed the ratings.
"Apparently James Palmer had something to do with this video game score, because there's no way in any video game that you should put Myles Garrett above TJ Watt when you're looking at production like that," GMFB cast member Shaun O'Hara stated in the segment."I think 99 should be reserved for the upper echelon, top-tier guys. Look, TJ Watt, when you look at his skillset, I think he's a much better pass-rusher, but the production is there, too! I mean, I look at, when games are on the line, somebody has to take it over. There's two guys right now that are going to wreck the game, it's Aaron Donald and it's TJ Watt. There's your proof right there."
The network showed a graphic for most fourth quarter sacks in 2021 with Donald totaling 6.5 sacks and Watt totaling 6 sacks last season when games are in the crunch time.
"Game on the line, TJ Watt's getting it done," O'Hara reiterated. "Myles Garrett, he could be a 99, but he's not there yet."
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, TJ Watt tackles Buffalo Bills quarterback, Josh Allen, and forces a fumble on September 21, 2021. The Steelers beat the Bills 23-16. | JAMIE GERMANO/ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
Analyst Mike Garafolo chimed in on the topic as well.
"I'm not knocking on Myles Garrett, but why not make TJ Watt a 99 as well," Garafolo questioned the video game series. "I don't know, do you do that, does that ever happen, I have no idea. The guy [led] the league in sacks and tied for tackles for loss last year with 21 tackles for loss."
The Steelers official Twitter account chimed in on the ridiculous rating of Watt as well.
He's a 96 overall? lol ok https://t.co/4W8Tmkcx3c
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 19, 2022
Watt leads Garrett in every major defensive statistical category. People like to make the “games played” argument when comparing the two defensive playmakers’ stats, but availability is the best ability. It’s as simple as that. It’s not like Watt came into the league years before Garrett. They were both drafted in 2017. One just happened to be drafted first overall by the Browns, while the other, thankfully, fell to the Steelers all the way to 30th overall.
Watt deserved to be in Madden's elite "99 club" a few years ago, but the fact that he still isn't there after tying Michael Strahan's long-time sack record last season with 22.5 sacks is just ludicrous!
Steelers megastar TJ Watt (PC: UPI.com)
Check out the full GMFB segment here!
What are yinz thoughts on O'Hara's comments about Watt's Madden 23 rating? Sound off in the comment section below, or on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram!
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