Every time the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers play each other, the opposing team has to make massive plans to slow down an elite edge rusher. That was no different in Week 14 when the Steelers defeated Cleveland.
Despite being the much lesser team this season, the Browns handled T.J. Watt very well this season and did not allow him to wreck either game as he has done in the past.
Right tackle Jack Conklin deserves a ton of credit for keeping Watt in check and Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski agreed on Monday.
It was two good performances versus a great rusher,” Stefanski told the media. “There are times when you help your tackles versus that team, there’s times that you don’t, and I thought Jack really did well even when he was singled up. Where he’s come to this point from where he was with his injury, I think is pretty impressive.”
In the 27-14 loss to the Steelers, Conklin once again did now allow Watt to record a sack. According to Pro Football Focus, Conklin gave up three pressures, one hit, and no hurries to Watt in that game. In the first matchup a couple of weeks ago, Conklin gave up just two pressures.
It was a really strong performance for Conklin, who just may be the best offensive lineman that the Browns have to offer this year. The veteran right tackle has come back very strong this season after missing all but two games last year with a significant knee injury. Conklin has started all eight games he has played this season and has given up four sacks in 552 pass-blocking snaps, per PFF.
Myles Garrett on the other hand was a much bigger problem for the Steelers. In two games against the Steelers, Garrett recorded 12 pressures and four sacks of Pittsburgh quarterback Russell Wilson. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year had three sacks in the first game and did indeed wreck things.