The Houston Texans just missed their shot at the playoffs Sunday, but J.J. Watt made a pretty convincing argument to be named NFL MVP.
Watt recorded three sacks in the Texans’ 23-17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, bringing his season total to 20.5. While that’s not the league’s best — Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston finished the season with 22 sacks — Watt became the first player in NFL history to record multiple 20-sack seasons.
The sack that put Watt over 20 on the seasons resulted in a safety after he blew past Jaguars tackle Luke Joeckel.
Watt’s latest accomplishment only adds to an extremely impressive season from the defensive end. In addition to his 20.5 sacks, Watt recorded four forced fumbles, 59 solo tackles, one interception and 6 touchdowns (two defensive, four receiving). His numbers make a strong argument for him to join Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Alan Page and New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor as just the third defensive player to win the MVP award.
But if Watt wants to be the MVP, he’ll have to beat Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The MVP usually goes to a quarterback whose team is in the playoffs, and Rodgers and his stellar season fit the bill. However, you very easily can argue that the 9-7 Texans wouldn’t have even been in the playoff hunt if it wasn’t for Watt.
Either way, this season’s MVP race will come down to the wire, and you can thank J.J. Watt for that.
Thumbnail photo via Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports Images
