- Sports
- Updated: Jan. 04, 2026, 5:18 p.m.
- Published: Jan. 04, 2026, 5:16 p.m.
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Cleveland Browns protect extremity Myles Garrett sets NFL azygous play sack grounds vs. Cincinnati Bengals, January 4, 2026
CINCINNATI, Ohio — It took almost 55 minutes connected Sunday, but Browns protect extremity Myles Garrett brought down Bengals backmost Joe Burrow to set nan NFL’s single-season sack grounds astatine 23.
Garrett’s sack of Burrow pinch 5:13 near successful nan 4th fourth helped him surpass nan grounds held by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt.
The grounds came as nan Browns hit nan Bengals, 20-18.
In his postgame property conference, Burrow pulled backmost nan curtain connected nan utmost measures required to combat Garrett’s game-wrecking abilities.
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“He’s nan attraction of our crippled scheme each clip we play him,” Burrow admitted. “It’s nary secret. And it’s challenging because you person to perpetrate resources to that and that takes distant resources from elsewhere.”
This penetration from Burrow offers a uncommon glimpse into nan quarterback’s position erstwhile facing an elite defender. The chess lucifer betwixt discourtesy and defense becomes importantly much analyzable erstwhile 1 subordinate commands specified respect that full crippled plans revolve astir minimizing his impact.
What makes Garrett peculiarly dangerous, according to Burrow, is his expertise to alteration games moreover erstwhile mostly contained.
“For nan astir part, I thought we were beautiful bully against him today, but you tin spot really impactful he is,” Burrow explained. “We person nary thief connected him 1 clip and he gets one.”
That azygous play Burrow referenced proved pivotal successful nan game’s outcome. Despite dedicating extended resources to containing Garrett for astir of nan contest, conscionable 1 threat without further protection resulted successful a history-making moment—highlighting precisely why Garrett demands specified bonzer attention.
The Bengals backmost went connected to item nan multi-layered attack required erstwhile facing a talent of Garrett’s caliber. “You know, he’s nan champion astatine what he does, and you effort to mitigate that arsenic overmuch arsenic you tin pinch your play calls, your protection scheme and past really your backmost plays.”
This three-pronged strategy—play-calling adjustments, protection schemes and backmost technique—underscores nan broad attack needed against elite defenders. It’s not simply astir assigning an other blocker; it requires a basal rethinking of violative philosophy.
Burrow besides revealed really Garrett’s beingness affects his soul timepiece and decision-making process. When asked really overmuch Garrett tests his timing connected throws, Burrow acknowledged, “Yeah, I surely don’t spell into a play reasoning astir it, but my earthy instincts footwear successful and you consciousness him quickly, often. And you know, that surely affects really acold you tin push nan shot down nan field, nan protections that you tin call, nan plays that you tin call, and really quickly you want to get nan shot retired of your hands.”
This uncommon peek into backmost psychology erstwhile facing an elite walk rusher demonstrates really a azygous protect subordinate tin limit an full passing attack—shortening routes, accelerating nan decision-making process, and removing definite plays wholly from consideration.
For shot enthusiasts willing successful nan strategical battles that specify nan NFL, Burrow’s afloat breakdown of nan Garrett matchup offers a masterclass successful knowing nan crippled wrong nan game. His candid appraisal provides nan benignant of tactical penetration seldom shared truthful openly by quarterbacks still successful their prime.
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