The Cleveland Browns offense scores just 14 points as Myles Garrett's career day is spoiled by the New England Patriots
Myles Garrett needed just a single sack Sunday, to pass Hall of Famer Reggie White for the most sacks before turning 30 (108). He took care of that accolade fairly quickly in Week 8, Saccking New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye on third-and-eight on the opening drive of the game to give him 108.5 career sacks.
It was just the beginning of what became one of those legendary days that Garrett has the ability to deliver. The 2023 Defensive Player went on to sack Maye four more times in the game, to post a new single-game high of five, and his sixth career game with three-or-more sacks.
It was pure brilliance from the Cleveland Browns biggest star, as he had rookie left tackle Will Campbell chasing his tail at times. Even when Garrett wasn't getting to Maye, he was still wrecking the Patriots game plan.
Like on a third-and-nine early in the second quarter where Garrett looped around Campbell and forced Maye to shuffle up into the pocket to his left where he looked to float a ball to Stefon Diggs crossing the field from right to left. He floated it right into the waiting arms of Browns rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger instead, for his first career interception.
Garrett was virtually unstoppable, and the Browns led for most of the first half because of him. Somehow, despite his domination, the Patriots scratched and clawed their way to a 9-7 lead at halftime, nailing a 42-yard field goal as time expired on the second quarter.
The Browns dominated on defense in the first half. Myles Garrett has 3 sacks. The Patriots are 2-8 on third down, 0-2 in the red zone and have turned the ball over once.
Garrett had registered three sacks. The Browns rowns held held the Patriots to 2-of-8 on third down and 0-for-2 in the red zone. Somehow they trailed, because the offense – aside from a beautiful six-play, 70-yard touchdown drive on its first possession of the game – had amassed just 113 yards total yards, had just five first downs and was 1-for-5 on third down.
That kept the door open for New England. They ran through it.
The Patriots opened up the second half, marching 77 yards on just seven plays, with Maye finding tight end Hunter Henry in the flat to his right for a walk in touchdown to cap it off. Garrett recorded his final sack of the game on that drive, but momentum had already swung.
Three plays later, they were on the door step again at the Cleveland six-yard line after Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel tossed his first career interception to linebacker Robert Spillane. Maye looked to Stefon Diggs for his second touchdown pass to extend the lead to 23-7 a few plays later.
Another Gabriel interception on the ensuing possession set up a dagger drive for New England as Maye capped off a five-play, 81-yard drive with a a majestic, rainbowing 39-yard bomb to Kayshon Boutte.
In a blink the game was over at 30-7 with 59 seconds to play in the third quarter.
Garrett's historic performance rendered useless once again by the Browns incompetent offense that managed just 213 total yards, converted just 12 forst downs, was 2-for-11 on third down and lost the turnover battle for the fourth time this season. It's been the same story for most of the season for Cleveland. It's also why Garrett was so frustrated after a 23-9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers two weeks ago.
A championship caliber defense, led by one of the best players of a generation, and a future Hall of Famer in Garrett goes to waste week, after week, after week.
He has every right to be frustrated. So do Browns fans.