The Week 3 matchup between the 2-0 Pittsburgh Steelers and 2-0 Los Angeles Chargers has me buzzing, especially with the matchup between T.J. Watt and rookie left tackle Joe Alt. The Chargers used the 5th overall pick in this year’s draft to grab Alt, and so far, he’s lived up to the hype.

Alt is off to a solid start in his rookie season especially with his performance against Maxx Crosby in Week 1. Crosby is known for wreaking havoc in the opposing backfield. According to NFL.com, “Crosby was shut down by Alt in 11 one-on-one matchups. Crosby hadn’t been held without a pressure in a game with that many reps since Week 9 of 2022. By the end of the game, Alt allowed just three pressures in 28 pass-blocking snaps—a solid 10.7% pressure rate for a rookie going up against one of the best.”

Now, Alt faces arguably the best defensive player in the NFL in T.J. Watt. Watt is off to a great start this season and shows no signs of slowing down. Watt is a master at disrupting offenses, using his unmatched ability to convert speed into power, an array of pass rush moves, and a relentless motor to terrorize opposing quarterbacks. He’s already added 2 sacks and a fumble recovery this season with 2 additional strip sacks taken away due to defensive penalties. Not only is want a menace to opposing quarterbacks, but he also creates chaos in the backfield against the run with 4 tackles for loss.

For Alt, this matchup will be a true test of whether he’s ready to protect quarterback Justin Herbert against the league’s best. For Watt, it’s another opportunity to dominate, as he looks to continue his campaign as the NFL’s most feared defender. The Chargers have taken on a different identity this year becoming a run first team with new Head Coach Jim Harbaugh and new Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman. If the Steeler are able to stop the run and force the Chargers to take to the air, the outcome of this matchup could swing the game’s momentum. As a fan I’m ecstatic about this heavyweight battle in the trenches, hoping Watt gives Alt his “welcome to the NFL moment”. Get your popcorn ready, this should be a fun one to watch.

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Stay Blessed and Stay Positive… “Here We Go”