Myles Garrett at the Top: Chasing the Sack Record
Since his arrival in the NFL in 2017 as the first global draft pick, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett has established himself as one of the league’s most outstanding players. This season, Garrett is on the verge of writing his name in the history books of American football. With an impressive record of 18 sacks in just 11 games, including 14 in the last five games, Garrett is only five sacks away from breaking the record for sacks in a season, currently at 22.5, shared by Hall of Famer Michael Strahan and current Pittsburgh Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt. Garrett’s 18 sacks surpass the total number of sacks of three teams this season: the Carolina Panthers, the Cincinnati Bengals, and the San Francisco 49ers. Being the favorite to win the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in 2023, Garrett is having a potentially historic season, despite the Browns’ ongoing offensive challenges and the possibility of the team recording its seventh losing season since he was drafted. In February, Garrett requested a trade in search of a contending team. However, in March, he committed to the organization by signing a record-breaking contract extension at that time, averaging $40 million per year. Now, about to turn 30 on December 29, Garrett is about to surpass the record set by Strahan in 2001 and Watt in 2021.The Broncos Seek a Team Record
On the other hand, the Denver Broncos have accumulated 49 sacks in 11 games, putting them on track to break the team record for most sacks in a season, set by the Chicago Bears in 1984 with 72 sacks. The Broncos have proven to be a team with a collective effort, with five players having recorded four or more sacks. Nik Bonitto leads the way with 9.5 sacks, followed by Jonathon Cooper (7.5) and Zach Allen (6).Garrett’s Challenge: Match by Match
Browns fans and football fans in general will be watching Garrett and the Broncos’ performance as they seek to take down opposing quarterbacks. Browns reporter Daniel Oyefusi analyzes Garrett’s situation ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the 49ers, while Broncos reporter Jeff Legwold will report on the team’s performance after their game against the Washington Commanders.Garrett’s current situation (18 sacks in 11 games)Week 13: vs. San Francisco 49ers, Sunday.What Garrett needs to break the record: Garrett is projected to finish with 27 sacks, a figure that would not only break the current record of 22.5, but would also give him the record on or before game 16, the length of the season when Strahan set the original record. In his most recent game, Garrett recorded three sacks against the Raiders, reaching 18, which not only set a personal best, but also surpassed the Browns’ previous record. His current pace gives him room for a couple of less productive afternoons, but he has shown no signs of slowing down. His next matchup is against left tackle Trent Williams and the 49ers, who have allowed the eighth fewest sacks in the league this season (19).Key Statistics and Trends in Garrett’s Sack Season
Garrett’s 14 sacks in his last five games are the most by any player in a five-game span since sacks became an official statistic in 1982, according to ESPN Research.Week 12: Victory 24-10 against Las Vegas RaidersGarrett’s Performance: Garrett’s three sacks led a 10-sack performance for the Browns’ defense, setting a new personal record and surpassing the franchise record he had previously established in 2021 and 2022.“In the last four games, I don’t even think about it. I only think about the next one, how we can do it all again. And hopefully, I’ll sit back and take a moment for my family to help me rationalize it and see it for what it is. But I can’t tell you how proud I am of this team and how we responded.”
Garrett after his three-sack performance against the Raiders in Week 12
Week 11: 23-16 loss against the Baltimore RavensGarrett’s Performance: His four sacks tied an NFL record, giving him 10 sacks in a span of three games. He also became the first player in league history to record at least 12 sacks in six consecutive seasons, breaking a tie with Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor, and the fourth player in league history to record four sacks in multiple games in a season.Week 10: Loss 27-20 against the New York JetsGarrett’s Performance: Added another sack, giving him the second-most sacks (11) by a Browns player after 10 weeks; he recorded 13 sacks in the first 10 weeks of the 2021 season.Week 9: Browns’ bye week Garrett entered the Browns’ bye week with 10 sacks, tied with Brian Burns of the New York Giants for the most in the NFL. Despite rumors and speculation about Garrett, who has a no-trade clause, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter before the November 4 trade deadline that “there is no chance” the Browns would consider trading Garrett.Week 8: 32-13 loss against the New England PatriotsGarrett’s Performance: In the most impressive individual performance of his career and in Browns history, Garrett recorded five sacks. Garrett also surpassed Reggie White (108 sacks) for the most sacks by a player under 30 years old since 1982. However, the performance was marred by another uneven defeat, as Garrett looked dejected on the bench in the final minutes of the game.“I won’t try to delay [breaking the record], but I want it to come with a win,” Garrett said after the game.
Week 7: Victory 31-6 against the Miami DolphinsGarrett’s Performance: He ended his three-game drought, recording a sack as the Browns also broke a three-game losing streak.Week 6: Loss 23-9 against the Pittsburgh SteelersGarrett’s Performance: For the third consecutive game, Garrett did not record a sack, leading him to request a change in the defensive game plan.“I would give all the acting for a victory,” said Garrett.
Week 5: 21-17 loss against the Minnesota VikingsGarrett’s Performance: He went without sacks for the second straight game, as well as a 6.3% pressure rate, the lowest of the season.Week 4: Loss 34-10 against the Detroit LionsGarrett’s Performance: He went without sacks for the first time this season. He still recorded five pressures and two quarterback hits.Week 3: Victory 13-10 against the Green Bay PackersGarrett’s Performance: He recorded only half a sack when the Browns secured their first win of the season, but it was still impactful. Garrett recorded multiple pressures in a game for the 94th time in his career, breaking a tie with Watt for the second-most since ESPN began tracking the statistic in 2006.Week 2: Loss 41-17 against the Baltimore RavensGarrett’s Performance: The veteran followed up his season debut with a 1.5-sack performance against the Ravens and quarterback Lamar Jackson. Garrett, however, wasn’t in the mood to reflect on his individual game after a crushing defeat that he called “embarrassing.”Week 1: 17-16 loss against the Cincinnati BengalsGarrett’s Performance: Garrett began his path to history with a two-sack performance against the Bengals and Joe Burrow, the quarterback he has sacked the most in his career (11 sacks). It marked Garrett’s 23rd career game with multiple sacks.“At the end of the day, the game plan for teams for the most part is how to stop 95,” Garrett said days later. “And we have to do something to change that, to make adjustments and get me matchups like other pass rushers in the league, so I can have the same kind of effect, because I feel like I’m that kind of player.”
