Pittsburgh Steelers star outside linebacker T.J. Watt is no longer the favorite to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He’s been supplanted by Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II (-140), according to the latest odds posted at BetMGM. Cleveland Browns defensive end Garrett has +1600 odds to win DPOY, which is fourth-best, behind Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (+2500), Watt (+180) and Surtain.
Surtain held Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase to three catches for 27 yards on six targets in last Saturday’s 30-24 loss. Surtain lined up across from Chase on 43 coverage snaps, per NFL Next Gen Stats.
Surtain, who travels with No. 1 wide receivers every week, has allowed 33 catches for 279 yards all season, according to Next Gen Stats. He has allowed a 56 passer rating for opposing quarterbacks when targeted.
With the standout performance against the best receiver in the game, Surtain jumped from +386 odds to win DPOY to -140, surpassing Watt, whose odds worsened to +180.
Watt suffered a left low ankle sprain late in the team’s Week 15 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He did not return to the game, and had X-rays that revealed no fracture. He’s been active for the last two games, but he hasn’t recorded a sack and has been rather quiet overall.
It appears that the combination of Watt’s ankle and thumb injury has significantly hindered his ability to rush the passer.
Prior to Week 15, Watt was the clear front-runner for NFL DPOY with -190 odds, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
In addition to his league-best six forced fumbles, Watt enters Week 18 with 61 tackles (40 solos), 11.5 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, 27 quarterback hits and two fumble recoveries. Out of Watt’s five forced fumbles, three were strip sacks.
If Watt wins another DPOY award, he’ll join Steelers legend Joe Greene as the only players in franchise history to win the prestigious award twice.
The one thing missing from Watt’s accolades is a Super Bowl title or even playoff success. He’s never won a playoff game in his career. That’s something he wants to change. He doesn’t want be known for just his long list of individual accomplishments.
The Steelers have clinched a playoff spot, so a playoff win could come to fruition. A Super Bowl run seem less likely, judging by the last three games.
“I don’t want my legacy to say that ‘T.J. Watt (accomplished) all these individual things but what happened in the big moments?’” Watt said this past offseason. “That’s what we’re trying to get better (at), and I’m willing to do everything I possibly can and hopefully everybody in the locker room is on the same page.”
