NFL rules to keep Steelers’ T.J. Watt from owning sack record

Pittsburgh Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt tied the NFL single-season sack record but he was denied breaking it by an NFL ruling on a controversial play.

T.J. Watt came a rules interpretation away from breaking Michael Strahan’s single-season sack record.

The Steelers appealed for Watt to be credited for a sack on a first-quarter play against the Ravens when the pass rusher forced a fumble by quarterback Tyler Huntley.

The NFL denied the appeal, ruling that the play was aborted after a bad snap by Bradley Bozeman. Pittsburgh recovered the fumble but the play wasn’t eligible for a sack to have occurred.

The NFL denied T.J. Watt’s appeal for another sack

The ruling will no doubt disappoint Watt and Pittsburgh considering the history that was on the line.

Here’s the play in question:

It’s particularly frustrating because the play is up for interpretation. If Huntley had managed to pick up the ball off the ground immediately, Watt probably would have gotten the sack as it was a clear passing play. However, because Huntley had to scramble back for it, the play doesn’t count as a passing play. It’s just one of those bad beats.

Watt went on to tie Strahan’s sack record at 22.5 with an undisputed sack at the end of the first half. It was technically his only one of the game.

He can take his frustration over the situation out on the Chiefs, who Pittsburgh will battle in the first round of the playoffs. The last time the Steelers played Kansas City, Watt was held with just one tackle in a 36-10 loss.