The Pittsburgh Steelers had high hopes heading into the Week 1 matchup of the 2023 NFL season against the San Francisco 49ers. While no one doubted how tough the away team would be in all phases of the game, there were some favorable matchups. One of those was T.J. Watt against Colton McKivitz.
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San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Colton McKivitz had his hands full with Steelers EDGE rusher T.J. Watt during Week 1 of 2023.
Watt, the Steelers' phenom EDGE rusher, is known as one of the best in the league. The AP Defensive Player of the Year in 2021, Watt is now in his seventh year in the NFL, all in Pittsburgh. Not only is he regularly discussed as a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year, he has been an All-Pro three times and selected to the Pro Bowl five times. He was the co-leader in 2019 for forced fumbles (8) in the NFL.
It is no surprise that Watt has received so many accolades. He has an incredible nose for the ball and the quarterback, racking up sack after sack. Headed into the 2023 season he had six interceptions, 23 forced fumbles, 333 combined tackles, 162 quarterback hits, and 77. sacks. After the Week 1 game against the 49ers, he added to those totals. Incredibly, Watt has two more forced fumbles and three more sacks. Part of the reason Watt was able to be so successful? He was lined up across from McKivitz.
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin always reminds folks that everyone in the NFL is a professional, they all arrived here because they have talent. While that is true, most do not have talent like Watt. The man is an absolute wrecking ball on the field. McKivitz, who hadn't had much experience, had a lot on his hands trying to contain Watt.
McKivitz was a fifth-round selection in 2020 by the 49ers after playing college ball at the University of West Virginia. During college, McKivitz displayed some flexibility, playing both right and left tackle on the offensive line. During the past three seasons, McKivitz has bounced around a bit in San Francisco. He played in 2020 prior to being placed on the COVID/injured reserve list. In 2021, he was waived and placed on the practice squad. In 2022, he spent most of the season battling a high ankle sprain.
While McKivitz was not a rookie, he definitely came into the game in Pittsburgh with a lot less experience than others who usually go up against Watt. However, he earned the starting job when San Francisco did not draft any offensive linemen to take his place. San Francisco Offensive Line Coach Chris Foerster said before the game that it was understandable that McKivitz would be nervous, but the coaching staff had faith in him.
Associated Press
Steelers' James Harrison (#92) hits Cleveland Browns' Mohamed Massaquoi (#11) in 2010.
Watt was able to take advantage of that inexperience during the game as he tied another team record. He was able to catch up to Pittsburgh's all-time sack leader, James Harrison, with the three new sacks he racked up. Harrison had been holding the record with 80.5 sacks since 2017 when he surpassed Jason Gildon and now Watt joins him. But Watt really isn't celebrating his accomplishment.
Steelers' T.J. Watt's Tie Of James Harrison's Sack Record Is Bittersweet
Unfortunately, the Steelers lost badly to the 49ers at Acrisure Stadium. They had no answer for San Francisco's excellent gameplay in all three phases of the contest. After an excellent preseason, it appeared that everyone had high hopes for this team, but the 49ers humbled them a bit with the final score being 30-7.
ESPN
Steelers' T.J. Watt celebrates after sacking San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.
The one matchup that did seem to go in the Steelers' favor was Watt vs. McKivitz. Watt managed to get five tackles on top of the 2 forced fumbles and three sacks (which happened to be the only sacks the Steelers made). This now gives Watt 11 sacks in a season opener. After the game, Watt told Brian Batko from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that he wasn't celebrating the tie.
"I mean, I really don't want to diminish what it is, but I'm super upset about the results today," said Watt. "Not happy with it. It's not acceptable on many levels. There are so many more plays to be made out there, myself included."
According to Watt, he felt he could have done better against the run, but acknowledges that he was consistently bringing pressure for the 49ers young quarterback, Brock Purdy. Purdy was dubbed "Mr. Irrelevant" as the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, but has shown to be anything but that. He finished the Week 1 game with a completion rating of 65.5% and 220 yards for two touchdowns.
Watt was so persistent and aggressive during the game, it felt like he could single-handedly carry the defense at times. But it doesn't work that way and the Steelers self-destructed. However, fans should be relieved that Watt doesn't require a lot of early season "warming up." He came out of the gates at full strength and despite the loss, showed everyone why he is such an asset to this team.
Steelers.com
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker TJ Watt
While it is exciting to see Watt tie the record for sacks, it will be more exciting to see him beat the record as the Steelers win a game. Hopefully, we get to see both happen during the Week 2 matchup against the Cleveland Browns.
What did you think of the performance Week 1? Do you feel Watt played as well as he usually does? Click to comment below.
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