Bud Dupree boosting the production of Steelers teammate T.J. Watt

In this election year, perhaps there is no better pair of running mates on the Pittsburgh Steelers than outside linebackers T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree.

In the minds of most, including those who have a say in the NFL’s defensive player of the month and year honors, it’s Watt who is atop the ticket.

In the minds of opposing defensive coordinators, it might not be that cut and dried — at least if one metric can be trusted.

According to ESPN Sports Analytics, Dupree has faced double teams more than twice as often as fellow outside linebacker Watt. Dupree is being double-teamed on more than 27% of his pass-rush snaps through three games this season. Watt, meanwhile, has been double-teamed less than 12% of the time.

This is fascinating -- Bud Dupree getting double-teamed more than twice as often as TJ Watt

And I don't know what to make of that. Lots to unpack and consider https://t.co/A9jiqST7PU

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) October 3, 2020

“T.J. is my ‘dawg,’ ” Dupree said during a video conference call with media Monday. “T.J., you get what you get: He’s a hard worker on the field and off the field. He’s a serious guy all the time. Even (throughout) the day he’s always trying to think of ways to get better and better. He’s a great person to be around, a great person to exchange (knowledge) with and pick his brain.”

Watt (3½) and Dupree (2½) have combined for six sacks so far this season, a year after the duo totaled 26 and were one of only three pairs of teammates in the league to have at least 11½ each.

According to Pro Football Focus, the only edge rusher in the NFL who has more total QB pressures (sacks plus hits plus hurries) per game is the Cleveland Browns’ Myles Garrett. Watt has 18 and Dupree 17 in three games each.

“When you have an outside linebacker tandem like that in the 3-4 defense, you have an opportunity to play great defense,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “And we are cognizant of the contributions of those two men and appreciative of it.”

Dupree said the he and Watt are both getting double-teamed more often this season. It was Watt who had more sacks (14½ to 11½) than Dupree last season, and Watt has gotten more of the recognition: Watt has won two of the past three AFC player of the month honors, and he finished third in last season’s NFL defensive player of the year balloting.

But it’s apparent Watt’s production is boosted by having a threat opposite him rushing from the right side of the defense in Dupree. One theory as to why Dupree gets more double teams is he is coming from the quarterback’s blind side.

Either way, Dupree and Watt have an obvious connection on and off the field.

“To continue to get better and better it’s always going to take a progression of things mentally and physically,” Dupree said, “and just seeing things on the field that the other counterpart may not see. So, if I’m seeing something on my side, I can relate it to T.J. because he may end up getting it eventually on his side as well.”

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