Imagine chasing glory on the football field, only to feel like the opposing team is more afraid of you personally than of losing the game itself—that's the bold claim sparking debate in the NFL world today.
Hey there, football fans! If you're new to the nitty-gritty of pro football, let's break this down simply: We're talking about sacks, those bone-jarring tackles where a defensive player brings down the quarterback before they can throw the ball. It's like the ultimate chess move in a high-stakes game. And right now, Cleveland Browns star defensive end Myles Garrett is on the cusp of something legendary—a single-season sack record that would place him alongside NFL legends like Michael Strahan and Pittsburgh Steelers' own T.J. Watt. But here's where it gets controversial...
Reporting from Cleveland, I, Daniel Oyefusi, cover the Browns for ESPN, drawing from my past beats with the Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens. On Sunday, Garrett didn't shatter that record during the Browns' thrilling 13-6 upset over the Steelers, but he insists Pittsburgh had his historic quest looming large in their minds, perhaps even bigger than clinching the win.
"To some degree, yeah," Garrett shared post-game. "I believe they were prioritizing keeping me away from Aaron Rodgers more than securing victory, and that might've cost them." He added with a smile, "They'll have to battle it out with Baltimore next week. But I'm thrilled with how the team battled and pulled this off— that's what matters most. I'll keep pushing forward."
Garrett, who sits at 22 sacks— just one shy of tying Strahan and Watt's mark—wrapped up the game with a single tackle, a quarterback hit, and three solid pressures on Rodgers. He came perilously close to sacking the Steelers' quarterback on several plays, forcing Rodgers to release the ball quickly to avoid disaster. And this is the part most people miss: Even without racking up that final sack, Garrett's presence was a game-changer.
Rodgers, coping with the absence of key receivers like DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin III, managed only 3.5 air yards per completion on average. He completed just 4 out of 15 passes thrown beyond 5 air yards downfield, with an average throw time of 2.39 seconds—the fourth shortest of his season. It shows how Garrett's relentless pressure forced Rodgers into rushed decisions, limiting the Steelers' offensive flow.
The loss means Pittsburgh can't seal the AFC North just yet; they'll host the Ravens in a do-or-die Week 18 clash for the division crown. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin defended their strategy, saying, "We handled Myles the same way we always do—no special treatment for the record. Sacks aren't our focus; minimizing him is key to winning, just like in our last matchup where he didn't get any sacks. It's standard procedure against elite players like him."
Left tackle Dylan Cook, who squared off against Garrett for much of the game with help from chips and double-teams, echoed, "The record was definitely in the back of our minds, sure. But winning was our top priority."
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski highlighted Garrett's broader impact beyond the stat sheet: "He shows up in stats like pressures and hits, but it's the unseen effects that count—how defenses have to adjust, playing empty and chipping both sides. That ties up two eligible receivers, slowing down their routes and reshaping how teams approach us."
Garrett's final shot at the record comes in the Browns' season-ending road game against the Cincinnati Bengals. When asked about his confidence, he replied confidently, "Absolutely. Why wouldn't I be? We've got four more quarters, 60 more minutes—whatever the game plan, it'll happen."
ESPN's Brooke Pryor contributed to this report.
But wait, is focusing on one player over the team win a smart strategy, or does it backfire? Do you think the Steelers underestimated Garrett, or was this just good coaching? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you side with Garrett's take, or do you see it differently? Let's discuss!
