The perfect scenario for how Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett sees Week 18 unfolding is simple: A Browns win over the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday afternoon followed by a Pittsburgh Steelers victory versus the Cincinnati Bengals that night.
Even though Garrett has a chance to win the NFL’s sack title, he’s ranking spoiling the Ravens’ AFC North division title hopes over an individual accomplishment.
“I mean, I’d rather upset them and mess up their playoff hopes,” Garrett said on Thursday. “And if the sack title comes along with that, great. Definitely going to do what I can to be disruptive and take [Lamar Jackson] out of the game as much as possible. If that comes along with it, outstanding. But at the end of the day, I want to win.”
Garrett enters Week 18 tied with Trey Hendrickson of the Bengals with 14 sacks on the season. He’s the only player in NFL history to record at least 14 sacks in four consecutive seasons and has 102.5 in his seven-season career.
The 11-5 Ravens, meanwhile, can clinch the AFC North for a second straight season if they beat the Browns on Saturday. If Garrett gets his wish and the 3-13 Browns pull off the upset, then that opens the door for the Steelers to earn the division crown with a victory.
While Garrett isn’t focusing on the sack title, he is eyeballing another NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, which he won last season.
Garrett said he feels he’s having a better year than 2023 when he recorded 14 sacks, four forced fumbles and 33 solo tackles.
“I feel like I faced much more difficult odds this year, and offenses have done quite a lot to try to take me up the game and made it blatantly obvious,” Garrett said. “But I feel like the guys around me have really helped me thrive as much as I have at this point. Just got to continue to add on to what I’ve done with this last game. But I couldn’t have done it without all the guys with me, the other 10.”
Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II has taken over as the betting favorite for the award with Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt — the 2021 winner — right behind him.
When asked why Garrett believes he’s the best defensive player in the NFL right now he had a simple response.
“Why? Go check the tape. That’s why.”
