No Celebration, No Raised Hands in Congratulation. T.J. Watt’s Action After the 34–12 Win Left the Entire NFL Stunned When He Did the Unthinkable With Trey Hendrickson Right on the Sideline.
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 34–12 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals was a true defensive statement. The Steelers suffocated every offensive attempt from Joe Burrow and his playmakers. and T.J. Watt once again showed why he remains the face of modern defense. But after the game. the moment that shook the NFL had nothing to do with sacks or highlights. It happened quietly on the sideline.
While the Steelers celebrated. Trey Hendrickson stood alone on the Bengals’ sideline. He had just endured one of the toughest nights of his career. completely neutralized. with no sacks and no meaningful pressures on Kenny Pickett. The stadium lights were bright but Hendrickson’s expression wasn’t. Head down. hands resting on his helmet. he looked like a man trying to disappear from the noise around him.
As the stadium roared in celebration. T.J. Watt unexpectedly stepped away from his teammates. No running. no yelling. no raising his arms in victory. Instead. he walked straight toward Hendrickson. placed a hand on his shoulder and waited for him to look up before helping him to his feet.
This was Watt’s direct message. not filtered through anyone else:
“He has battled his entire career in this league. One bad game doesn’t change who he is. He is still Trey Hendrickson and everyone in this league knows that. He shouldn’t let tonight blur the career he has built. There will be moments when the world doubts him but those moments are what create a legend who knows how to rise again.”
Hendrickson stood silent for a few seconds. then gripped Watt’s hand firmly. It was the handshake of two warriors. two pass rushers who understand the pressure of the position better than anyone.
In the postgame press conference. Hendrickson didn’t hide how much the moment meant to him.
“T.J. didn’t have to do that. He won. but he still came over. And what he said really hit me. That’s respect. That’s the essence of football.”
Several Steelers players later admitted they were surprised but proud. saying Watt proved he leads not just with talent but with heart.
In a league built on tension and competition. the most powerful moment sometimes comes after the final whistle. On that night in Pittsburgh. a simple embrace and a few honest words from T.J. Watt became something the entire NFL couldn’t stop talking about.
Bucs have little choice but to reward Sean Tucker after explosive performance against the Bills
Sean Tucker doesn't often get the opportunity he's deserved as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The third-year player out of Syracuse has been used sporadically behind starter Bucky Irving and primary backup Rachaad White over the last two years.
However, on Sunday afternoon against Buffalo, Tucker was a bright spot in a dismal 44-32 loss. He put forth the kind of rushing performance that you don't often see in the league, particularly from a backup. He totaled 106 rushing yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns. He also added 34 receiving yards on two catches with another score. He ran with power, vision, and burst that had the look of a legit every down NFL running back.
The Bucs have now seen that kind of big performance twice in two years, and it's time they adequately reward that performance with a bump up the depth chart.
Tampa Bay has to get Sean Tucker more involved in the offensive gameplan moving forward
Tucker gave fans a look at his potential last season against the New Orleans Saints. In the Bucs' 51-27 win, Tucker ran wild, totaling 192 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns. He ran 14 times for 136 yards and turned 3 catches into 56 yards and a score. The effort was good enough to earn NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
However, Tucker went right back to the bench after the game and has logged double-digit touches just twice since. He had 12 carries for 42 yards and a touchdown in a 23-3 win over New Orleans last month before Sunday's explosion against Buffalo.
Irivng will obviously take over as the team's lead back upon his return, and he should, given his overall talent and penchant for explosive plays. I'm certainly not arguing against that. But it wouldn't be a bad idea to rotate backs more to preserve their star and give defenses another running style to have to deal with.
And Tucker has shown that Todd Bowles and his staff should think long and hard about making Tucker that first player off the bench to spell Irving moving forward.
