JJ Watt Named 2014 AP Defensive Player of the Year

In an era where offenses dominate the NFL, Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt was a constant force throughout the 2014 season and has been awarded the 2014 Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year award. 

Around the NFL announced Watt won in a landslide:

Watch Watt accept his award here:

Even though there were plenty of terrific defensive players who would warrant consideration in a lot of years, such as Kansas City's Justin Houston (22 sacks), what Watt did with the Texans was nothing short of spectacular. 

Of course, by Watt's lofty standards, a season with 20.5 sacks, 10 passes defended, four forced fumbles and one interception is par for the course. The Texans added a wrinkle to their star defender's game this season, putting him on offense and letting him get three touchdown receptions. 

One factor that may have helped Watt, not that he needed it, per the NFL on ESPN, is the way he got better when the Texans needed him most:

Per Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk, Watt was so dominant and versatile for Houston in 2014 that AP All-Pro voters weren't 100 percent sure where to include him on their ballot:

One year after finishing a league-worst 2-14, the Texans went 9-7 in 2014 and had a chance to make the postseason in the final week with some help. Unfortunately, it didn't come, and Watt's season ended on December 28. 

Despite not being able to compete for a Super Bowl, there is little doubt that Watt earned this award and has a great case as the league's best player, regardless of position. 

Expectations are so high for Watt every year, deservedly so, and that will only increase after his historic season. The good news is that no player in the NFL is better suited to exceed those predictions than Watt. No one has figured out how to stop him yet, so don't expect things to change in 2015.