Pittsburgh Steelers star linebacker, TJ Watt heard some funny words from New York Giants offensive tackle, Jermaine Eluemunor. Leading up to the Week 8 matchup, Eluemunor went viral when he told the media he wanted to have Watt on an island alone. Those are strong words, and you never want to poke the best defensive player in the league in Watt. He showcased his dominance even with Eluemunor on an island, demonstrating why he is widely regarded as the best defensive player in the NFL.
While both players had some solid reps throughout the game, Watt’s performance ultimately stole the spotlight. He recorded two sacks, including a critical strip sack that he recovered himself, leaving little doubt about who was in control during their one-on-one matchups. Social media wasted no time in trolling Eluemunor for his bold pregame remarks, emphasizing the gap between expectation and reality when it comes to facing an elite talent like Watt.
Despite the scrutiny, Eluemunor isn't willing to back down. On Tuesday, Eluemunor joined WFAN Daily to talk about his comments involving Watt. He firmly believes that Watt didn’t make a significant impact against him and insists he held his own during their encounters.
"I'm not gonna sit here and fricking hype him up when you can go watch the tape and see what he did all night," Eluemunor told WFAN Daily's Sal Licata Tuesday. "He didn't do anything for three-and-a-half quarters and he had one impact play."
Eluemunor was clearly frustrated about the strip sack that Watt made in a very pivotal moment of the game. However, claiming that Watt didn’t influence the game until that point is simply not accurate.
Nevertheless, Eluemunor is entitled to his own beliefs. He went on to explain why he feels confident that he dominated Watt during the Giants' 26-18 loss to Pittsburgh on Monday Night Football.
"Like I said, I'm confident," Eluemunor said. "I said last week I wanna be on the island with him. I was on an island with him for a majority of the game. And he didn't do a d**n thing. So I'm not gonna sit here and fricking sing his praises. I'm not like that and I never will be."
The stats and big plays speak for themselves. The Giants threw everything they had at Watt in an attempt to slow him down, but their efforts were in vain.
Not only were they unable to contain Watt, but they also struggled to handle Alex Highsmith, who recorded two sacks and six quarterback hits. The combined production of Watt and Highsmith underscores just how dominant the defense was Monday night, showcasing their ability to disrupt the opposing offense at every turn.
Even if Eluemunor genuinely believes his claims, they ultimately hold little weight. You can't lose most of the matchups and then assert victory after losing the most critical moment of the game. Having the lead throughout the contest means nothing if you relinquish it when it counts the most. The film doesn't lie; Watt easily maneuvers past Eluemunor for the strip sack recovery, serving as yet another testament to Watt's greatness.
Steelers' TJ Watt Continues To Get Fed Bulletin Board Material
Each week, an offensive lineman offers Watt bulletin board material, but he never responds negatively—that's just not his style. He consistently takes the high road, yet you can be sure that these comments fuel his motivation.
Watt thrives on the challenge, using these moments as inspiration to elevate his game even further. Somehow as every game goes on, Watt continues to get better and better.
