Divisional rivalry games in the NFL are always charged with intensity and emotions, and the upcoming Thursday Night Football clash between the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers promises to be no different. With the stakes high and a long-standing rivalry to fuel the fire, both teams are set for a fierce showdown under the primetime lights.
Browns defensive star Myles Garrett met with reporters during a mid-week media session ahead of the highly anticipated matchup, and he seemed to relish the opportunity to talk about Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt.
Specifically, Garrett was asked about Watt coming in second to him in the Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) race last season, a result that led to some negative reactions from Watt on social media. Garrett’s response was blunt and confident, displaying his competitive spirit.
“I’ve never complained about the trophy not being in my house,” Garrett said, referring to Watt’s frustration about losing the DPOY award. “And vice versa. He shouldn’t be feeling two ways about it going to me. We just gon’ play the game. I don’t play against T.J., and he doesn’t play against me, but we have a plan to go out, do what we’re supposed to, win the game, and dominate on defense. It’s up for grabs this year, and we’ll see who the best man is.”
Garrett’s comments highlighted his focus on the team’s success rather than getting into a direct rivalry with Watt. However, he couldn’t resist throwing in a bit of a jab. When asked if he had spoken to Watt about the situation, Garrett replied with a smile, “No, he didn’t say nothing to me. He’s got to apologize to me when I see him.”
Last season’s DPOY voting was a closely contested affair, with Garrett ultimately edging out Watt by a score of 165 to 140. Garrett earned 23 first-place votes, while Watt secured 11, despite Watt recording better individual stats, including more sacks (19 compared to Garrett’s 14) and more tackles (68 compared to Garrett’s 42).
The outcome led to some speculation and controversy, particularly after Watt chose not to attend the NFL Honors ceremony and took to social media to express his disappointment.
“Nothing I’m not used to,” Watt wrote in a cryptic post on X (formerly known as Twitter) on February 8, hinting at his belief that he had been snubbed in the voting process. The post stirred up plenty of conversation among fans and analysts alike, with many debating whether Watt had a legitimate case for the award.
This year, both Garrett and Watt are once again strong contenders for the Defensive Player of the Year award. Watt appears to have the upper hand so far, leading Garrett in nearly all major defensive stat categories, including sacks, tackles, and forced fumbles. Both players have been dominant forces on the field, and their individual performances will undoubtedly be under the microscope during Thursday’s matchup.
The Browns (2-8) are in desperate need of a victory to salvage what has been a disappointing season so far, while the Steelers (8-2) are looking to maintain their position at the top of the AFC standings. The clash between these two rivals will kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET at FirstEnergy Stadium, with both Garrett and Watt set to play key roles in determining the outcome.
With both players vying for DPOY honors, the rivalry between Garrett and Watt has added an extra layer of intrigue to an already heated matchup.
While Garrett downplayed the direct competition between them, it’s clear that both players are aware of the stakes.
For fans of hard-hitting defensive football, Thursday night’s game will be a must-watch, as two of the league’s best defenders look to outshine each other on one of the biggest stages of the regular season.
