T.J. Watt and five other Steelers defenders the Eagles must place on their radar

If you're like most NFL fans, ferocious defense crosses your mind when you think of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jack Lambert... Mean Joe Green... James Harrison's immaculate interception. The Steel Curtain... We could go on, but you get the idea. The Philadelphia Eagles don't play the Steelers often, but each time, we've glanced at Pennsylvania's other franchise, we do so with respect and admiration.

Think about it. Who appreciates great defense more than the Birds and their fans? We may not always remember the game's final score, but we never forget when someone gets knocked out.

The current Steelers defenders are also a respectable bunch. They're a cohesive unit with two future Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees, T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward.

If the Birds want to run the ball this week (or throw it), every yard we'll be contested. Thank a stingy group that has stars all over the place for that being the case. Let's talk about Week 15's game.

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T.J. Watt is one of the NFL's best players. He and another handful of his Steelers teammates are certainly worth the Eagles attention.

T.J. Watt needs no introduction, but just in case this is your first rodeo, we'll provide one anyway. He was a Pro Football Writers Association's All-Rookie Team member in 2017. He was the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year in 2021, and he could be on his way to winning that title again.

He's a four-time First-Team All-Pro nod (2019–2021, 2023) and a Second-Team All-Pro (2019). He's a six-time Pro Bowler (2018–2023).

He's also bringing some friends with him to Philadelphia. Here are five more Steelers we are certain were named during the Eagles' team meetings.

Minkah Fitzpatrick, safety

MInkah Fitzpatrick is one of the top safeties in pro football. He and DeShon Elliott make quite the tandem.

Fitzpatrick ranks third on the Steelers' defense in both solo (50) and total tackles (72). He has also broken up two passes and forced a fumble.

EDGE Nick Herbig

HBO's Hard Knocks series is back folks. How about that clip featuring Mike Tomlin telling Nick Herbig that he needed him and Herbig stepping up in that big moment? Now, that was classic television.

Nick is the younger brother of former Eagle Nate Herbig. He has racked up 4.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, and four forced fumbles this season.

EDGE Alex Highsmith,

Alex Highsmith is another of the Steelers' talented pass rushers. Credit him with four sacks and six tackles for loss, a feat he has accomplished despite missing six of the Steelers' first 13 games.

Like Watt and Herbig, Highsmith is someone that will force Jalen to get rid of the ball faster.

Interior defensive lineman Cam Heyward

Cam Heyward is a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer. There's no doubt about it. A Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, he's one of pro football's great people. He's also pretty good at football.

He's a three-time First-team All-Pro (2017, 2019, 2021) who earned Second-team All-Pro honors in 2020. He's been named to six Pro Bowls in his first 13 seasons and will be named to the NFL's all-star team to conclude this season.

Linebacker Patrick Queen

An already-rich Steelers defensive roster became more wealthy by luring another star away from their top rival. Patrick Queen spent four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens before joining Pittsburgh in March. That seems to have worked out well for everyone.

Queen leads the Steelers in tackles 98. He has broken up five passes and forced a fumble. Philly has better keep their heads on swivels whenever he travels in their area.