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HOUSTON TEXANS
J.J. Watt

J.J. Watt named NFL Defensive Player of the Year for third time

Lorenzo Reyes
USA TODAY
Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) walks onto the field before a game against the New England Patriots at NRG Stadium.

SAN FRANCISCO – For the second year in a row, Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt is the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year.

Watt won the award Saturday night at the NFL Honors event held in the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium.

Watt collected 76 tackles, 17.5 sacks, eight passes defended and three forced fumbles in 2015 for Houston. He was one of the team’s leaders on defense and helped lead the Texans to a 9-7 record and an AFC South championship.

The Texans, however, lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in a 30-0 shutout in the wild-card round. In the game, Watt struggled significantly, recording just one tackle.

But despite the postseason dud, Watt has been one of the NFL’s most consistent and productive defenders. He has now had four consecutive years with double-digit sack totals, even as he constantly faced double teams.

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"It's always a team effort so it's thanks to my teammates and coaches," Watt said. "Surprised isn't the right word. Honored would be much better.

"The second you think you've made it, the second you think you've reached the top, that's when you start to decline. So if I have to make up a chip on my shoulder that's what I'll do because the goal is always to be the best."

Watt has now won the Defensive Player of the Year award three times, having also claimed it following the 2012 season.

Follow Lorenzo Reyes on Twitter @LorenzoGReyes.

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