4 takeaways from Steelers Week 3 win over the Texans
By Tommy Jaggi
Chukwuma Okorafor might be the real deal
Just one week after bragging up rookie offensive guard, Kevin Dotson, for his incredible performance against the Denver Broncos in his first NFL action, we shift the focus back on Chukwuma Okorafor for his efforts against the great J.J. Watt in Week 3.
As you know, Okorafor did not open the season as Pittsburgh’s starting right tackle, but he took over the starting role after Zach Banner tore his ACL at the end of Week 1 against the Giants. In his stead, Okoarafor has done everything that was expected of him and more.
Tasked with the difficult matchup of holding his own against J.J. Watt this week, Okorafor was the clear winner. Watt was practically nonexistent against the young offensive tackle – earning just 4 tackles and making no plays behind the line of scrimmage. In fact, the three-time Defensive Player of the Year didn’t even earn a pressure against Okorafor, according to Pro Football Reference.
It’s obviously way too early to call the 23-year-old tackle a star, but it’s looking like he could be the real deal at right tackle and potentially a long-time starter for this team.