T.J. Watt will go down as the best Pittsburgh Steelers player of his generation. In his first seven NFL seasons, the 2017 first-round pick led the league in sacks three times. In 2021, Watt tied Michael Strahan's all-time single-season sack record en route to Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Unfortunately, Watt hasn't found the same level of success in the postseason. This is hardly because he didn't show up to play. The Steelers have been humiliated in the playoffs since Watt was drafted, and they are looking to snap their winless drought during Watt's career.
Even with his team's struggles in the postseason, Watt has made several big plays. The Steelers star has only appeared in three playoff games to date (he missed the 2023 Wild Card Game against the Bills with an injury).
The sample is small, but here is every T.J. Watt playoff game ranked based on his performance and impact on the game.
T.J. Watt's playoff games ranked best to worst
1. Steelers Wild Card Game vs. Chiefs, Jan. 16, 2022
In the first half of the Steelers' Wild Card game against the Kansas City Chiefs on January 16, 2022, it looked like Pittsburgh stood a chance. Watt and company kept Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense off the field early.
The Steelers star even gave the team a massive advantage when he scooped up a fumble and returned it for a touchdown -- giving the Steelers a 7-0 lead in the second quarter.
Unfortunately, it didn't last. Mahomes went on a rampage and the Chiefs ultimately scored 42 points as the defense ran out of gas. Still, Watt was hardly to blame. He finished the contest with three solo tackles, one sack, one pass defense, two tackles for a loss, three quarterback hits, a fumble recovery, and a defensive touchdown.
2. Steelers Wild Card Game vs. Browns, Jan. 10, 2021
Thanks to incompetence on both sides of the football, the Steelers allowed the Browns to score 28 first-quarter points in their Wild Card playoff game on January 10, 2021. An amped-up Baker Mayfield made things look easy, but Watt still had a respectable game.
Following an incredible regular season in which he led the NFL in sacks (15.0) and tackles for a loss (23), Watt was somewhat held in check against Cleveland in the postseason. He recorded three tackles, one tackle for a loss, and one pass defense in the 48-37 loss.
3. Steelers Divisional Game vs. Jaguars, Jan. 14, 2018
It's hard to place too much of the blame on T.J. Watt for the fiasco against the Jaguars on January 14, 2018. Immediately after Watt's rookie season, the edge rusher was in search of his first playoff win.
Sadly, the Steelers dug themselves a hole. Much of this was the offenses and carelessness with the football. The Steelers fought back in this contest, but it was too little too late. By the end of the game, Watt recorded just two tackles, two QB hits, and one pass defense.
All stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference.