Steelers receiver Calvin Austin III and linebacker T.J. Watt turned in incredible performances in the Steelers win over the New York Giants on Monday Night Football, and it didn't go unnoticed.
Austin was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week, while Watt was selected as the AFC Defensive Player of the Week.
With the game tied, 9-9, Austin returned a punt 73-yards for a touchdown on a play that sent Steelers Nation into a frenzy and turned the tide in the game. And he wasn't done yet. While it didn't count in him earning the award, Austin also pulled in a 29-yard touchdown catch, finishing the night with three catches for 54 yards, and the first two-touchdown game of his career.
"Can't say enough about Calvin," said Coach Mike Tomlin after the game. "I thought that's a big play, that punt return. It was a catalyst for us.
"I talked to Calvin on third down before he took the field. He'd just been close for a couple of weeks. I thought it was his time. He thought it was his time. He delivered."
Austin said after the game that when Tomlin told him it was his time, he knew he wanted to do something.
"I went 17 games last year and didn't take a punt back," said Austin, who won the award for the first time in his career. "That's not myself and the standard I hold myself to. So, getting in there was almost like a sigh of relief.
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed in last year and the beginning of this year, because that's something I am supposed to do. So, I am very blessed and thank God I was able to get into the end zone. But that's something that, for me, should happen more often."
Watt had seven tackles, two sacks, including a strip-sack that he recovered near the end of the game. And that couldn't have come at a better time.
With the Steelers leading, 26-18, quarterback Russell Wilson fumbled with 4:30 remaining in the game, and the Giants recovered at the Steelers 37-yard line. Five plays later, Watt was blocked one-on-one by Giants tackle Jermaine Eluemunor and got to Giants quarterback Daniel Jones for the strip-sack and recovery. Earlier in the week Eluemunor had said he wanted to be on 'an island' with Watt.
"I have a lot of respect for every single player in the NFL," said Watt. "Everybody works hard, and I'm just trying to get my opportunities when I get them and make the most of them when they happen. But it's not possible without scheme.
"We've done a good job schematically of trying to create those one-on-ones along with the backend covering just long enough and the guys up front also chewing up blockers. So, it's a team effort."
Team effort or not, Watt once again came through.
"I'm not surprised by it, but it doesn't mean that it's not appreciated," said Tomlin of Watt's ability to continually make splash plays. "I just come to expect it because he's got a unique talent, a unique approach. Usually that produces unique results with a really consistent tone to it and usually at the most-timely moments. I think the new Steelers are shaking their heads. I think the guys that have been here kind of expect it."
This is the eighth time Watt has won AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors, previously doing so Weeks 1 and 5 of 2018; Week 2 of 2020; Weeks 6, 13 and 17 of 2021; and Week 18 of 2023.
