T.J. Watt Reached Milestone Sack and Interception Total
The Pittsburgh Steelers star became the second player since 1982 to record 100 sacks and 10 career interceptions.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Football
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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt achieved a historic milestone by reaching 100 career sacks and 10 career interceptions. The accomplishment occurred during a 20-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, highlighted by a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Why it matters
Watt joins an exclusive tier of defensive history, becoming only the second player since sacks became an official statistic in 1982 to reach the 100-sack and 10-interception threshold. His performance was central to securing the Steelers win in the opening week of the season.
T.J. Watt has recorded 117 career sacks and 10 interceptions across 136 games played. He is the second player to reach this specific combination of benchmarks since the league began tracking sacks as an official stat in 1982.
The players
T.J. Watt
He is a star linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers who has been a consistent defensive force since his 2017 debut.
Julius Peppers
He is a legendary defensive player who previously reached the 100-sack and 10-interception milestone.
The details
During the Week 1 win against Atlanta, Watt tallied two sacks and one interception, contributing to a career total that now stands at 117 sacks. Since entering the league in 2017, the veteran defender has also forced 36 fumbles.
Timeline
1982 marked the year sacks became an official NFL statistic.
2017 was the year T.J. Watt entered the NFL.
September 2026 saw the Steelers defeat the Falcons in Week 1.
September 20, 2026, is the date the Steelers play the New England Patriots.
Season Trajectory
Watt's historic performance anchors the Steelers defense as the team moves into the second week of the season. This early success establishes a high bar for the unit as they prepare for a matchup against the New England Patriots.
Watt's two sacks and one interception in Week 1 significantly bolster his defensive production metrics. These figures suggest a continued high-impact role for the linebacker in upcoming game plans against opponents like New England.
The takeaway
Maintaining both pass-rushing efficiency and pass-coverage versatility remains the hallmark of an elite modern linebacker. Players looking to emulate this success must prioritize durability, as evidenced by Watt's 136 games played to date.
What happens next
The Pittsburgh Steelers are scheduled to play the New England Patriots in Week 2 on September 20, 2026.
Further reading
For more on local player milestones, visit the Pittsburgh Football section.
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