Garrett celebrates setting Browns’ sack record
In the Browns' 26-6 victory Sunday at Firstenergy Stadium, Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett recorded 4 1/2 of the team's nine sacks of Bears quarterback Justin Fields. The former Ohio State star was making his first NFL start and took such a pounding, absorbing 15 quarterback hits, that he said he needed precautionary X-rays on his throwing hand, which were negative.
It was the game of Garrett's life, the type of day fans had envisioned since Garrett was the first overall pick in 2017. All four of his solo sacks came on third down.
Garrett surpassed Andra Davis, who recorded four sacks on Nov. 9, 2003. Next on the Browns' list with 3 1/2 are Rob Burnett (Oct. 29, 1995) and Clay Matthews (Nov. 11, 1984). Garrett's previous high was three on Sept. 16, 2019, at the New York Jets.
And that was just a slice of Garrett's spectacular day. The All-pro added seven tackles (six solos), four for losses, and six quarterback hits. Pro Football Focus credited Garrett with eight pressures on 26 pass-rushing snaps.
Asked if it was the best performance of his NFL career, Garrett said, "That will be for y'all to tell me. We all on the D-line had a great game, and coverage was working as well."
Garrett leads the league with 5 1/2 sacks, ahead of the Arizona Cardinals' Chandler Jones with five.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield was effusive about Garrett's performance.
“He's a Monstar man; 4.5 sacks,
right? That is unreal,” Mayfield said. “He is out there eating."
Three-time Pro Bowl receiver Odell Beckham Jr., playing his first game since he tore the ACL in his left knee on Oct. 25 , didn't believe 4 1/2 sacks was a mindboggling total for Garrett.
“He needs like six or seven to impress me,” Beckham said.
Garrett's 47 career sacks are the most among No. 1 overall picks in their first 54 games. The Browns' nine sacks were two off the team's single-game record of 11 on Nov. 18, 1984, at Atlanta.
When he reached the interview room, Garrett pretended like he didn't know he'd set a franchise mark.
“I broke the record? Most in a game?" he joked before continuing. “"Glad to be able to ball out with those boys. .”