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Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 14 Caption Close Image 2 of 14 <strong>He made history:</strong> Watt collected 20.5 sacks in 2014, becoming the first player in NFL history to record 20 or more sacks in two years. <strong>He made history:</strong> Watt collected 20.5 sacks in 2014, becoming the first player in NFL history to record 20 or more sacks in two years. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 3 of 14 <strong>He finished strong:</strong> The Texans won four of their final five games under first-year coach Bill O'Brien. Watt led the charge, racking up 11 sacks during the run. <strong>He finished strong:</strong> The Texans won four of their final five games under first-year coach Bill O'Brien. Watt led the charge, racking up 11 sacks during the run. Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle Image 4 of 14 <strong>He's a statistical beast:</strong> Watt had 78 tackles, 29 tackles for loss and 50 quarterback hits. No one in the NFL can touch those combined numbers. <strong>He's a statistical beast:</strong> Watt had 78 tackles, 29 tackles for loss and 50 quarterback hits. No one in the NFL can touch those combined numbers. Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle Image 5 of 14 Image 6 of 14 He's everywhere: Watt has saturated local televisions, reached out to police and fire departments, and placed his number No. 99 on the backs of so many fans it's impossible to deny his powerful reach. Watt has saturated local televisions, reached out to police and fire departments, and placed his number No. 99 on the backs of so many fans it's impossible to deny his powerful reach. less He's everywhere: Watt has saturated local televisions, reached out to police and fire departments, and placed his number No. 99 on the backs of so many fans it's impossible to deny his Watt has saturated local televisions, reached out to police and fire departments, and placed his number No. 99 on the backs of so many fans it's impossible to deny his ... more Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 7 of 14 He's Reggie White meets Bruce Smith: Neither White nor Smith collected 20 sacks in two seasons. Watt combines the power, agility and grace of both. He's as fierce as White (pictured) and as thunderous as Smith. Neither White nor Smith collected 20 sacks in two seasons. Watt combines the power, agility and grace of both. He's as fierce as White (pictured) and as thunderous as Smith. less He's Reggie White meets Bruce Smith: Neither White nor Smith collected 20 sacks in two seasons. Watt combines the power, agility and grace of both. He's as fierce as White (pictured) and as Neither White nor Smith collected 20 sacks in two seasons. Watt combines the power, agility and grace of both. He's as fierce as White (pictured) and as ... more Photo: MICHAEL S. GREEN / AP Image 8 of 14 <strong>He carried the Texans: </strong>Aaron Rodgers and Tony Romo had outstanding years. But take away Watt and the 9-7 Texans may have been closer to their 2-14 selves in 2013. <strong>He carried the Texans: </strong>Aaron Rodgers and Tony Romo had outstanding years. But take away Watt and the 9-7 Texans may have been closer to their 2-14 selves in 2013. Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle Image 9 of 14 <strong>He plays offense: </strong>Watt didn't just wreck the league as a defensive end. He caught touchdowns as a diving tight end and even lined up at fullback. <strong>He plays offense: </strong>Watt didn't just wreck the league as a defensive end. He caught touchdowns as a diving tight end and even lined up at fullback. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 10 of 14 Image 11 of 14 He does everything: Watt had four forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, 10 passes defensed, one interception, a safety, three receiving touchdowns, five total TDs and 32 overall points. MVP-esque. Watt had four forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, 10 passes defensed, one interception, a safety, three receiving touchdowns, five total TDs and 32 overall points. MVP-esque. less He does everything: Watt had four forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, 10 passes defensed, one interception, a safety, three receiving touchdowns, five total TDs and 32 overall points. Watt had four forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, 10 passes defensed, one interception, a safety, three receiving touchdowns, five total TDs and 32 overall points. ... more Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 12 of 14 <strong>He's great for the league: </strong>Watt's popularity pushed past the tipping point this season, as the collegiate tight end became a national name with a worldwide following. <strong>He's great for the league: </strong>Watt's popularity pushed past the tipping point this season, as the collegiate tight end became a national name with a worldwide following. Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle Image 13 of 14 He's Watt: Winning the NFL's overall MVP award would capture the Watt-ness that's seen a $100 million man actually make his record-setting contract appear like a steal for the Texans. Winning the NFL's overall MVP award would capture the Watt-ness that's seen a $100 million man actually make his record-setting contract appear like a steal for the Texans. less He's Watt: Winning the NFL's overall MVP award would capture the Watt-ness that's seen a $100 million man actually make his record-setting contract appear like a steal for the Winning the NFL's overall MVP award would capture the Watt-ness that's seen a $100 million man actually make his record-setting contract appear like a steal for the ... more Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle Image 14 of 14 Texans' Watt wins AFC defensive player of month for December 1 / 14 Back to Gallery

J.J. Watt was named Wednesday as the AFC defensive player of the month for December.

The Texans defensive end won two player of the month awards (September) during the 2014 season and has earned four honors during his career.

Watt helped the Texans go 3-1 in December and finish the season 9-7, with the team nearly making the playoffs during Bill O’Brien’s first year as coach.

Watt finished the month with 22 tackles, nine sacks, 13 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, two passes defensed, one safety and 14 quarterback hits. He tied the mark for most sacks in the month of December since 1982. Watt led defensive linemen in tackles and led the NFL in quarterback hits during the month.

Watt had two or more sacks in all six division games this season, including eight sacks in three games against Indianapolis and Jacksonville in December. Since the NFL moved to a six-game division schedule in 2002, Watt’s 14 sacks ranks first all-time against division foes.

Watt led the league with 50 quarterback hits — 22 more than the second-ranked player — and 29 tackles for loss, which were six more than the second-ranked player. He also ranked second in sacks (20.5), tied for second in defensive touchdowns (two) and tied for third in forced fumbles (four).

Watt had three receiving touchdowns this season and is the first defensive lineman since Chicago Bears end Connie Mack Berry in 1944 to have at least five touchdowns in a season. Watt is also the first player since Chicago Bears defensive back J.C. Caroline in 1956 to score multiple touchdowns on offense and defense in the same season.

Watt became the first player in NFL history to record two seasons with more than 20 sacks (20.5 in 2012). He also joined Jason Taylor as the only player to record 10 sacks and 10 passes defensed in two different seasons since 1991.

Twitter: ChronBrianSmith