Superlatives continue for JJ Watt

HOUSTON J.J. Watt went in without his cowboy boots. They sat by his locker as he took the podium for his postgame interview barefoot and still wearing half his uniform. On top he wore a T shirt that declared never quit.

Never wonder either what more Watt can do. He'll answer with something new each time. This time it meant an 80 yard interception return for a touchdown.

I mean the roof almost came off on that one Houston Texans coach Bill O'Brien said.

That play made Watt the first player in NFL history to have 35 career sacks a receiving touchdown and a pick six. He and Texans linebackers coach Mike Vrabel are the only two players since the NFL/AFL merger in 1970 to have a pick six and a touchdown catch in the same season. Watt's nine quarterback hits almost became an afterthought but coming into Sunday's game no player in the league had more than eight in his first three games combined.

Watt has a habit of making big plays as if on cue. His biggest plays seem to come during his team's biggest moments.

His legend in Houston began with a pick six in the 2011 playoffs when the then rookie intercepted Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton and changed that game's momentum going into halftime. It became the Texans' first playoff win in franchise history.

On Sunday the Texans needed him again.

They trailed by three points having just turned the ball over to open the second half. Bills quarterback EJ Manuel erratic though he was was doing just enough. Then Manuel conscious of Watt's presence attempted to loft a pass to running back Fred Jackson. He tried to throw it high enough to clear Watt's hands but learned a lesson many quarterbacks before him had. Manuel's punishment was harsher than most.

Watt jumped plucked the ball from the air then started running. Flanked by defensive backs more accustomed to that trip Watt sprinted 80 yards as the crowd erupted. He crossed into the end zone lifting his legs just a bit more and waving his free hand to the crowd. He cringed when he saw that replay on the scoreboard.

I literally am not joking I have no idea what I was doing Watt said. Part of me is like 'That might be a Deion high step' the other part of me is like that might be a nae I think it's called a nae nae.

He shook his head and laughed at himself knowing he'd hear about it from his brothers and his teammates.

I was like 'You're a white defensive lineman there is no need for you to be pushing things for god s sake ' he said as he leaned casually on the podium.

A few questions later Watt reversed roles.

Did you guys have fun he asked from his perch exhausted delighted and energized all at once by (once again) one of the best games he has ever played.

Later when the locker room cleared Watt remained sitting in his chair one of the last players to leave in no rush to get changed and leave NRG Stadium.

You can't blame him for hanging on to this one.

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