Recently, Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons made a less-than-subtle jab at Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver T.J. Watt.
When asked to select the NFL’s top five pure edge rushers, Parsons naturally listed himself first, but he conspicuously left out Watt. His explanation fell flat when pressed to elaborate.
Parsons said, “I mean, look at the stats,” to CBS Sports’ Zach Gelb. “Like, the stats don’t like – he was not top five.”
Parsons made an attempt to go deeper, quoting double-team numbers in support of his claims. But when two highly significant metrics are taken into consideration, Watt was clearly among the NFL’s best five edge rushers. The four-time All-Pro ended alone at the top of the league in sacks (19) and fifth in tackles for loss (19).
According to Pro Football Focus, Watt’s analytical grades were fifth-best defensive (91.9) and fourth-best pressure (91.7). Similarly, he ranked fourth among edge rushers in terms of win-rate (25 percent), citing ESPN stats.
Parsons brought up the subject of double-team percentages, and that may be the only area where his argument has some merit. This season, opponents have only doubled Watt 14% of the time, placing them well outside of the top 10. That doesn’t lessen his significance, though, particularly after he led the league in sacks for the third time in the previous four years.
Moreover, Parsons’ tirade against statistics is delivered less than a day after he said categorically that they are meaningless.
The Cowboys star quickly clarified that he had no “beef” with Watt, but he still feels a connection to the Steeler. Maybe it was because Watt was voted first-team Defensive Player of the Year 12 times more than once. Alternatively, Watt might have been reacting to Cleveland Browns player Myles Garrett winning the award instead of him.
In any case, the numbers speak for themselves, regardless of Parsons’s attempts to undermine Watt.
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