In the upcoming NFL Week 15 matchup, Myles Garrett is set to continue his pursuit of the league’s single-season sack record as the 3-10 Cleveland Browns prepare to take on the 9-4 Chicago Bears. Garrett made headlines last week after becoming only the 13th player in NFL history to reach 20 sacks in a single season. The current record stands at 22.5 sacks, a mark shared by legends Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt. Although Garrett has only logged one sack in each of his last two games, he has had three games this season where he has recorded three or more sacks. Given his tendency to score in bunches, there’s potential for a significant performance against the Bears.
Notably, Garrett’s personal best came in a 2021 game against the Bears, where he notched 4.5 sacks. However, this season has seen his impressive outings, including a five-sack game against the New England Patriots in late October and four sacks against Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in mid-November. In the Browns’ latest victory during Week 12 at Las Vegas, he recorded three sacks.
Garrett’s ability to achieve multiple three-sack games places him in elite company, with only Lawrence Taylor having accomplished this feat since the NFL began officially recording sacks in 1982. Garrett has a total of eight three-sack games throughout his career and has the opportunity to match Taylor’s record with a standout performance against the Bears.
Earlier this season, he surpassed Taylor’s mark of consecutive seasons with at least 12 sacks, reaching this milestone for six straight years. With a career total of 122.5 sacks over 130 games, Garrett also holds the record for the most sacks prior to a player’s 30th birthday, surpassing Reggie White’s previous high of 108.
Looking ahead to the Bears, Garrett faces another former No. 1 overall draft pick, quarterback Caleb Williams. The Bears are likely to employ strategies similar to those used by the Tennessee Titans, focusing on a robust run game while also utilizing quick passes to limit Garrett’s impact. Garrett has acknowledged Williams’ mobility and ability to escape pressure, noting that he reminds him of dual-threat quarterbacks like Jackson and Patrick Mahomes in their ability to navigate away from defenders while keeping their eyes downfield.
“I believe we need to make him look a little more ordinary on Sunday,” Garrett asserted.
Despite being a four-time first-team All-Pro and securing the 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year title, Garrett has never clinched the sack title. Presently, he leads by seven sacks over the nearest competitor, Brian Burns of the New York Giants, and recently surpassed his previous career high of 16 sacks in both 2021 and 2022.
Additionally, Garrett aims to make history not just with sacks but also seeks to break J.J. Watt’s single-season tackles for loss record of 39; he currently has 31 heading into the game. As the Browns fight to salvage their season, all eyes will be on Garrett as he strives to leave his mark in the NFL record books.
