With 34 sacks in 32 games at Heinz Field, Steelers’ T.J. Watt excited for home opener
One by one, all week long, Pittsburgh Steelers players and coaches have discussed the eagerness with which they are looking forward to playing a game in front of a packed Heinz Field for the first time in more than 21 months.
T.J. Watt, though, seemingly has the most to gain by playing at home. Statistically, at least, no one on the Steelers enjoys playing in Pittsburgh more than him.
Watt has been a force in home games in his career, racking up more than two-third of his career sacks, tackles for loss and forced fumbles entering the season in games at Heinz Field.
“I just love Heinz Field,” Watt said Friday after practice. “I love playing at home. I couldn’t be happier to play in front of a packed Heinz Field, and I’m looking forward to driving in and seeing all the tailgaters.”
Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders will be the first filled to near the facility’s capacity since a December 15, 2019, loss to the Buffalo Bills. Last season’s games were played in front of no fans or fewer than 10,000 patrons because of government restrictions in place in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Seems like it’s been since, like, my rookie year since I’ve seen fans at Heinz Field,” said Watt, a 2017 first-round pick. “I was jealous of the (Bills) fans in (the season opener last week at Buffalo).”
.@_TJWatt had two sacks and was in on another. One of those sacks forced a fumble that led to a turnover. Watt also was credited with five QB hits and drew multiple holding penalties. #HereWeGo https://t.co/vFYKFRAf0U
— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) September 12, 2021
Watt has 29 sacks in his past 22 home games dating to 2018. For his career, he has 34 sacks, 67 QB hits, 12 forced fumbles, 39 tackles for loss and 98 solo tackles in 32 games at Heinz Field. Those numbers by far out-pace his career production on the road: 17 1/2 sacks, 49 QB hits, six forced fumbles, 21 tackles for loss and 73 solo tackles.
Although those numbers account for both packed stadiums and empty ones — Watt had 11 1/2 of his 15 sacks last season at home — Watt is no less enthused to play in front of more than 60,000 home fans.
“It’s been way, way too long,” he said. “And I just hope we can make it as loud as we possibly can.”
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Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.
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