Would you rather the Steelers make the playoffs this year but be without T.J. Watt, or miss the playoffs in 2019 and have no injuries in 2020.
Let’s test your patience with this scenario. The ultimate goal at the end of the year is obviously to win a Super Bowl. We have seen the Steelers come from the lowest seed in the playoffs to win the biggest show on turf, so we know that anything is possible.
However, to be without T.J. Watt in the playoffs would be a punch in the gut. Watt was incredible in the second half of the 2018 NFL season – churning out a Pro Football Focus grade of 87.7 from week 10 on. No edge rusher won at a higher rate from weeks 13-16, according to PFF, so his loss would be difficult to stomach.
At the same time, anything can happen in the single elimination of the NFL playoffs, and a few victories could see the Steelers as Super Bowl champions once again.
On the flip side, the Steelers aren’t likely to generate much pressure without T.J. Watt. Though it would cost us a 2019 playoff run, a little patience could have you seeing an injury-free Steelers team for the entire 2020 season.
This on it’s own should result in a playoff berth. And without having to worry about an injury to Ben, Watt, or anyone else on the team, the Steelers would be the healthiest team in the playoffs in 2020 – assuming they made the cut.
Which scenario would you choose?