Watt’s Pick-Six Puts Him In Rare Company, That Of Texans LB Coach Vrabel

By Matt Hammond

September 29, 2014

J.J. Watt’s stellar season continues. He added an interception returned 79 yards for a touchdown in yesterday’s 23-17 Houston Texans win over the Buffalo Bills, despite Watt apparently being exactly where the opposition wanted him. He has 16 quarterback hits, 13 hurries, three batted passes and a blocked extra point, all of which either lead the NFL or are simply remarkable for a 3-4 defensive end.

But he also has a receiving touchdown, that one yard grab he pulled in against the Oakland Raiders. When coupled with his pick-six yesterday, that puts Watt in rarefied company that, interestingly, includes Mike Vrabel, now the Texans linebacker coach.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Watt is only the second player since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970 with a touchdown reception and an interception returned for a touchdown in the same season. The other was Vrabel.

Fun facts aside, Watt’s contribution to a 3-1 Texans team has been simply incredible. If he keeps this up, and if Houston takes the AFC South (and maybe even if they don’t), Watt is entering the discussion for league MVP. Only two defensive players have ever won (Alan Page, Lawrence Taylor) the last in 1986 (Taylor).