T.J. Watt Earns AFC Honors After Memorable Week 1 Performance
WHO:
steelers.com - T.J. Watt, linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers
steelers.com - Mike McCarthy, Coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers
steelers.com - Aaron Rodgers, quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers
steelers.com - Keeanu Benton, teammate of T.J. Watt
steelers.com - LaMarr Woodley, former Steelers linebacker
steelers.com - Kyle Van Noy, NFL player
WHAT:
steelers.com - T.J. Watt's interception returned for a touchdown was described by Coach Mike McCarthy as "a highlight play you'll be watching the rest of your life."
steelers.com - Watt's pick-six was made while he was lined up over Falcons right tackle Jawaan Taylor.
steelers.com - Watt has a total of 117 career sacks, making him the Steelers all-time sack leader.
steelers.com - Watt's interception was his first ever pick-six, which he returned 35 yards for a touchdown.
steelers.com - T.J. Watt's interception and touchdown gave the Steelers a 20-10 lead in the game against the Atlanta Falcons.
steelers.com - Watt stated, "I had no idea where I was," referring to his confusion after the play, and credited teammate Keeanu Benton for encouraging him to get up and run for the end zone.
steelers.com - T.J. Watt was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week.
steelers.com - Watt recorded two sacks and an interception returned for a touchdown in the Steelers' 20-13 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
steelers.com - Watt's interception was his first ever pick-six, which he returned 35 yards for a touchdown.
steelers.com - Watt had a total of four tackles and three tackles for loss.
steelers.com - Watt became the first Steelers player to achieve two sacks and an interception returned for a touchdown in a regular season game since LaMarr Woodley in 2010.
steelers.com - Watt is the only AFC player to record two sacks and an interception returned for a touchdown in a regular season game since Kyle Van Noy in 2021.
steelers.com - Watt joined Julius Peppers as the only players with 100 sacks and 10 interceptions since sacks became an official stat in 1982.
steelers.com - Watt has been named AFC Defensive Player of the Week nine times in his career.
WHERE:
steelers.com - The game took place at the home stadium of the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Atlanta Falcons.
WHEN:
steelers.com - Watt was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.
steelers.com - Watt's previous AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors include Weeks 1 and 5 of 2018; Week 2 of 2020; Weeks 6, 13, and 17 of 2021; Week 18 of 2023; Week 8 of 2024.
WHY:
steelers.com - Aaron Rodgers praised Watt's performance, stating, "What an incredible, incredible play."
steelers.com - Coach Mike McCarthy described Watt's interception as "the biggest play in the game," highlighting its significance in shifting momentum.
steelers.com - Watt's interception and touchdown were pivotal in securing the win for the Steelers, as noted by Coach Mike McCarthy.
HOW:
steelers.com - Watt credited teammate Keeanu Benton for encouraging him to get up and run for the end zone after his interception.
steelers.com - Watt's pick-six was a result of intercepting Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush.
steelers.com - Watt intercepted Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush, which led to his touchdown.
T.J. Watt made a stunning play with his first career pick-six, returning an interception 35 yards for a touchdown, which Coach Mike McCarthy called "a highlight play you'll be watching the rest of your life." Lined up over Falcons right tackle Jawaan Taylor, Watt's impressive performance earned praise from Aaron Rodgers, who remarked, "What an incredible, incredible play." With this interception, Watt also solidified his status as the Steelers all-time sack leader, now boasting a total of 117 career sacks.