NFL Week 4: Winners and losers

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Sep 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) applies pressure to Buffalo Bills quarterback EJ Manuel (3) during the first quarter at NRG Stadium. The Texans defeated the Bills 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

WINNER: J.J. Watt, Houston Texans

While where Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt sits in the pantheon of defensive players is not yet set, you can certainly say with confidence that he is the best defensive player in the game today.

His ridiculous 80-yard touchdown on an interception was one part skill and one part terrible EJ Manuel decision but even if you put that aside, you’ll still have plenty of amazing plays on film to make his case.

Pro Football Focus has Watt rated as the No. 1 3-4 defensive end, and if you just stack up overall grades, he’s almost nine points better than the top 4-3 defensive end, Cameron Wake.

When a player gets paid the way Watt has been paid, he gets a spotlight put on him. By all accounts, Watt has approached this season as if he was a broke freshman at Central Michigan, and it shows. He has earned every bit of the $100-million extension he signed this offseason.

Hats off to a guy who keeps finding new ways to help his team win games.

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