Mike Tomlin Has “Optimistic” TJ Watt News Ahead of AFC North Title Showdown

Mike Tomlin and his Pittsburgh Steelers were without TJ Watt in their loss to the Cleveland Browns as he was still recovering from his lung injury.

Mike Tomlin Has “Optimistic” TJ Watt News Ahead of AFC North Title Showdown

TJ Watt and Mike Tomlin (Image via Pickensburgh/XImago)

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Mike Tomlin and his Pittsburgh Steelers were supposed to have it easy against the Cleveland Browns, even though star pass rusher TJ Watt was not there to bring his usual game-wrecking play.

Instead, it ended up being a disaster as rookie QB Shedeur Sanders managed to do enough in the first half to get the home team going. Then, he led them to score a field goal in the fourth-quarter to keep their opponents out of reach.

Try as they might, Aaron Rodgers and his offense could not connect on a touchdown all game long. Even though they pointed fingers at the officiating, there was no ignoring the fact that the unit struggled without leading receiver DK Metcalf.

The Steelers’ defense could have been better had Watt applied his usual pressure. Rookie QBs tend to make mistakes when facing elite pass rushers, and Mike Tomlin is probably regretting the punctured lung injury his most important defensive player suffered.

I’m optimistic about his potential inclusion in this game. We’ll work him up throughout the course of the week and let the amount of participation and the quality of participation be our guide in terms of whether or not he’s a participant. But certainly more optimistic this week than I have been in previous weeks as I stand here today.

Mike Tomlin said as quoted by Brooke Pryor

This means there is a chance the Pittsburgh Steelers will get TJ Watt to lead the defense in front of their fans when the Baltimore Ravens roll into Acrisure Stadium with the division still up for grabs.

Mike Tomlin not bothered about TJ Watt’s conditioning

TJ Watt has been practicing with the team, even though the medical staff has not cleared him for full contact. For someone who is still recovering from the surgery to repair his punctured lung, his head coach is not bothered about his conditioning.

Steelers will need TJ Watt against Ravens
Steelers will need TJ Watt against Ravens (Image via Imago)

I doubt that T.J. is ever out of football shape or conditioning over the course of a 12-month calendar. I just know how he lives his life and how he prepares, and how thoughtful he is in terms of what he puts in his body and how he trains. And so I don’t imagine that component of it being a major concern.

Mike Tomlin said

It seems Mike Tomlin is aware that his star pass rusher is in top shape and will not struggle to give his best when the ball is snapped on Sunday.

Their season finale against the Ravens is going to decide who ends up winning the AFC North. To be in a winning position, they need Watt to go after Lamar Jackson or whoever lines up on the opposite side.

Mike Tomlin has no regrets about missed chance to win division

Even without TJ Watt in the lineup, the Pittsburgh Steelers could have won the AFC North had they handled business against the Cleveland Browns.

My windshield is bigger than my rearview.

Mike Tomlin said, as quoted by Brooke Pryor

This was the 53-year-old’s response when asked if he had any regrets about not sealing the division this past week. It seems Tomlin has channeled his focus on Week 18.

Tomlin would hope that with Watt possibly back, the rest of the team will also focus all their attention on one task, and that is to win against the Ravens.

As the rest of the football world gets ready to expect throwaway performances from those who have already sealed their fates, the Steelers-Ravens clash could end up being an all-time classic, especially with what is at stake.

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