The Steelers' salary-cap investment in T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Cam Heyward this season on the NFL's most expensive defense totals almost $50 million. The three stars earned their hefty checks on Christmas Eve. They didn't just lead the team to 13-10 win against the Las Vegas Raiders. Their performance made you wonder if the Steelers would be a playoff team if Watt had been healthy all season instead of just another team with a mediocre 7-8 record.
You remember how dominant the defense was in the opening game in Cincinnati, the only game in which Watt was healthy. It sacked Joe Burrow seven times and forced five turnovers, including four interceptions by Burrow. The Steelers won, 23-20, in overtime.
You also remember what happened in the next seven games that Watt missed after he tore a pectoral muscle late in that Cincinnati game. The Steelers went 1-6. During Watt's career, they are 1-10 when he doesn't play and 54-24-2 when he does.
