Patrick Mahomes outlines TJ Watt threat ahead of Steelers clash

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has highlighted the multi-dimensional threat posed by Pittsburgh Steelers' defensive powerhouse T.J. Watt. The Chiefs face a critical matchup against the Steelers on Wednesday with the AFC's top playoff seed hanging in the balance.

Mahomes, the Chiefs' star signal-caller, emphasized the disruptive capabilities of Watt. The Steelers' edge rusher leads the NFL with six forced fumbles and 18 tackles-for-loss this season, establishing himself as one of the league's premier defenders.

The candid assessment came during Mahomes' interview with Kay Adams for NFL on Netflix on Tuesday. The conversation ranged from holiday celebrations to his strategies against elite defenders like Watt.

"I just try to stay as far away as I can from him," Mahomes said. "In the offseason, he's a great guy, but when you're on the field you just try to stay away from him cause you will make a play and he will disrupt cause he's not just going for sacks, he's going for strip sacks, he's going for interceptions he's one of the great players in the league."

Watt's impact extends beyond individual achievements. His leadership has propelled the Steelers to a league-leading 31 takeaways this season. Pittsburgh's defense has maintained this momentum with at least one turnover in 11 straight games, including three or more takeaways in four of their last six outings.

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NFL: Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers - Source: Imagn

Kansas City's game plan against elite pass rushers has yielded results recently. Against Houston on Saturday, Patrick Mahomes showcased remarkable efficiency, posting a 118.2 passer rating on throws released under 2.5 seconds.

The Chiefs face their toughest test yet in Pittsburgh's fearsome front. Watt headlines a formidable trio alongside Cameron Heyward (8.0 sacks) and Alex Highsmith (6.0 sacks). Their combined pressure has pushed the Steelers to second place in QB knockdowns with 60.

Kansas City enters this showdown as the only NFL team riding a five-game stretch without turnovers. This ball security will prove crucial against a Steelers unit that has converted 24.9% of their total points from takeaways — the third-highest rate in the league.

The Chiefs' recent success against elite pass rushers — neutralizing both Cleveland's Myles Garrett and Houston's Danielle Hunter — offers hope. Yet Watt's versatile skill set presents a challenge unlike any other in their pursuit of the AFC's top seed.