This Steelers player could set an NFL record thanks to extra game

Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt has a chance to break a major single-season NFL record with the help of the 17th game against the Ravens.

T.J. Watt has terrorized quarterbacks throughout his career with the Steelers but this year has been particularly tremendous.

After a four-sack performance against the Browns, Watt has 21.5 sacks to his name this season. That’s just one away from tying Michael Strahan’s record of 22.5 in 2001.

Watt will get his chance to break the record against the Ravens in the final week of the regular season. Considering the fact he had 3.5 sacks against Baltimore last time they met in December, the odds are in his favor.

Steelers star T.J. Watt can break Michael Strahan’s NFL sack record

The most insane part of Watt’s sack total this season is that it’s not actually boosted by the 17-game schedule.

The extra game is definitely convenient for him giving him the opportunity to chase the record. However, if he does get make it to 23 sacks he’ll have done it in fewer games than it took Strahan.

While the Steelers will finish the season with 17 games under their belt, Watt will have only taken part in 15 of them. He missed games against the Bengals and Chargers.

Strahan had 16 games to hit 22.5. If Watt indeed takes that record, the 17-game schedule will be a footnote, not a key element.

And if Watt doesn’t pull it off, there will likely be other opportunities. He hit the 20-sack mark at 27 years old. Stahan didn’t manage that until he was 30. The best may be yet to come for Watt and the Steelers.