Why Browns' Myles Garrett is 'juiced up' to play Steelers' T.J. Watt

Cleveland's Myles Garrett is reheating his beef with Pittsburgh's T.J. Watt before their matchup on "Thursday Night Football." 

Last season, the Browns defensive end won Defensive Player of the Year, beating the Steelers linebacker by four votes. Miffed, Watt didn't attend the NFL Honors show on Feb. 8. 

While watching the ceremony, he wrote, "Nothing I'm not used to" on his X account. 

On Tuesday, Garrett admitted he viewed Watt's absence as a slight and is using it as motivation. 

"Absolutely," Garrett told the media Tuesday. "Two of the very best in the same division, play each other twice a year. Fans hate each other. That kind of stuff gets you excited. I know we both feel it and get a little bit juiced up for the matchup."    

Watt claims he's focused on helping the Steelers improve to 9-2, not his rivalry with Garrett. 

"Obviously, a guy who's been a top pass-rusher in the league for a long time, but I don't compete directly against him," Watt said Tuesday, via Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "At the end of the day, I just want the Pittsburgh Steelers to come out with the win."

Once again, Watt and Garrett are in the DPOY mix. Through 10 games, Watt is tied for seventh in the league in sacks (7.5) and first in forced fumbles (four). Meanwhile, Garrett is tied for 12th in sacks (seven) and seventh in forced fumbles (two) in 10 games.

As of Tuesday, FanDuel Sportsbook lists Watt as the DPOY favorite (-160). Garrett — who has +4000 odds — knows a dominant performance against Pittsburgh can help him catch up. 

"We'll have a plan to go out and do what we're supposed to, win the game and dominate on defense," he said. "It's up for grabs this year, and we'll see the best man win." 

Watt — 2021's DPOY — may have a slight edge. Per Pro Football Reference, Cleveland leads the league in sacks allowed (46), while Pittsburgh (28) has allowed the 12th most. Plus, he may want to quell Garrett.