Will it happen this year?As Cleveland Browns quarterback Myles Garrett sat in the visiting team’s locker room Sunday with his left arm in a sling, it was clear just how difficult it is to chase one of the NFL’s most prestigious landmarks.
Garrett is tied with Khalil Mack of the Los Angeles Chargers for second-most sacks in the league with 13, the pair trailing Michael Strahan (2001) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Of
They shared the single-season record. Watts (2021).”I’ve had things that have held me back in the past and I’m going to keep fighting,” Garrett said before learning he had no structural damage to his shoulder and was cleared to play Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.
“We have high expectations for this season.”That can’t stop us or me.”To be clear, Garrett is not in the record business.
He is focused on helping the Browns (7-4) advance to the playoffs.
But for that to happen, Cleveland needs an All-Pro to continue the pace that could put him in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation.
Strahan played in all 16 games in 2001, while Watt missed one game in 2021, a 17-game season.
Watt had a chance to set the record once again. His two sacks against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday gave him 13.5 points in 11 games.
He is tied with Daniel Hunter of the Minnesota Vikings, who averaged 1.5 points in his 12th game against the Chicago Bears on Monday night.
For Hunter, who has incentives in his contract, it’s about more than his team’s success and reputation.
Here are the top six sack leaders this season and the opportunities and obstacles they face to break the record.
Why he can break the record: He’s done it before. close. Watt pitched poorly in Baltimore’s last regular-season game in 2021, not allowing a run.
But Watt can break the record this year because he’s healthy, unlike in 2022, and the emergence of Alex Highsmith gives the Steelers a one-two punch that keeps Watt from becoming a two-way game.Reasons for short content:
Why he might miss: The Steelers’ pass rush is inconsistent.
In Week 11 against the Browns, Watt and the defensive line struggled to pressure starting quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
The Steelers had no sacks or quarterback hits at halftime.
Watt finally got going in the second half with a sack and three quarterback hits. –Brooke PryorKey stat: With Sunday’s two sacks, Watt has 91 carries in just 98 games.
These are the fewest games anyone has had 90 sacks. His older brother JJ is number 102 on the list.Myles Garrett, defensive endCleveland BrownsSacks: 13.0 in 11 games.Intensive: 20.1Why He Could Break Records:
Garrett can put up huge numbers in one game. He recorded 3.5 sacks against Tennessee earlier this season.
Two years ago, he recorded 4.5 sacks against Chicago. Aside from the losses, Garrett is having the best season of his career.Why He Might Fail:
Despite being the best backup he’s ever faced, Garrett faced the highest double-team rate in the league (31.8%).
Garrett still has trouble getting past double teams, but for the most part, his rushing teammates clear the pockets created by his pressure.
Garrett’s shoulder was also injured. –Jake TrotterKey stat: He is just the fourth player to record 10 sacks in six of his first seven NFL seasons, joining Reggie White, Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware.Khalil Mak, defenderLos Angeles ChargersSacks: 13.0 in 11 games.Intensive:
20.1Why he could break the record: Check out the Chargers Week 4 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Mack had a franchise single-game record six sacks, two of which were fumbles. Mack can break that record because, as he has shown this season, he can string together more sacks.
He made two starts Sunday night against the Baltimore Ravens.
