TJ Watt Bettings Odds Favorite For Sack Leader Again
Pittsburgh Steelers Edge rusher TJ Watt opened up as the betting odds favorite to lead the NFL in sacks in the 2022 season at +551. TJ Watt has led the league the past two seasons, and the odds are that he will not stop that record this year.
No player in NFL history has ever led the league in sacks for three straight seasons. Eight players have led the league two straight times, with Reggie White being the most recent before TJ Watt. Deacon Jones leads the NFL with five sack titles, but if TJ Watt finishes the year with the most this season, he will have achieved something that has never been done before in the NFL.
Historical Pace
TJ Watt is on a historical pace for sacks. TJ Watt has the third-highest amount of sacks in the first five seasons in NFL history. The only players that have generated more sacks in their first five seasons are his brother JJ. Watt and legendary pass-rusher Reggie White.
TJ Watt is on pace to be one of the greatest players in NFL history, and as long as the 27-year-old doesn’t experience a ton of injuries should have many more seasons to write his name in the history books.
Chance At Full Season
In the past two seasons, Watt has played 15 games each. Now that the NFL going to 17 games, a full healthy season for Watt could have the Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher break the record for most sacks in a single season. Watt finished last season tying the NFL single-season sack record, recording 22.5 sacks in just 15 games.
The next closest in betting odds is Cleveland Browns’ edge rusher, Myles Garrett, at +672, and San Fransico edge rusher Nick Bosa at +1072. For context on how great TJ Watt was last season, Garrett played in all 17 games last season and ended up with 16 sacks, while Bosa played in all 17 games as well and ended with 15.5. If not for injuries, Watt will have to have a steep decline this year or someone has to make an incredible leap to compete with Watt’s numbers.
Supporting Cast
The Pittsburgh Steelers come into this season, remaining one of the best defenses in all of the league. While the secondary could be considered shaky for the Steelers, it is the defensive line and edge rushers that are the Steelers’ focal point.
With a defensive line that has Larry Ogunjobi, Demarvin Leal, a returning Tyson Alualu, and the main man on the defensive line Cameron Heyward, combined with edge-rushing pair Alex Highsmith, every single offensive line in the NFL will have their hands full. Every offensive line will not be able to double and triple team TJ Watt as much as they would like this season, which will only benefit Watt.
