Dec 28, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) leaves the field after a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett is on the verge of making history as he pursues the single-season sack record. After failing to secure a sack in the Browns’ recent victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Garrett expressed his belief that the Steelers were more focused on preventing him from achieving this milestone than on winning the game. With 22 sacks to his name, Garrett is well within reach of both the official record of 22.5 and the unofficial record of 23.
As the regular season concludes, Garrett will face the Cincinnati Bengals in a decisive matchup on December 31, 2023. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow addressed Garrett’s quest during a press conference, making it clear that he intends to play his game without overthinking Garrett’s pursuit. “I’m certainly not going to overcompensate either way,” Burrow stated, according to Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. “I’m going to go and play football.”
Burrow reflected on their previous encounter in Week 1, where the Bengals edged out the Browns 17-16 at home, with Garrett managing to sack him twice. Burrow acknowledged that the game involves many situational decisions: “There’s going to be situations that a sack is the best of the bad outcomes of that play, and maybe I take one. And there’s going to be other situations that I’m about to get sacked, and I need to throw it away in that situation.”
Respect for Garrett’s Athleticism
As of Thursday morning, betting odds from DraftKings Sportsbook positioned Garrett as a substantial favorite at -20000 to claim the Defensive Player of the Year award for the second time in his career. Burrow has expressed profound respect for Garrett, noting his exceptional athleticism compared to other players. “He’s more athletic than everybody else on the field — bigger, stronger than everybody else,” Burrow remarked.
Burrow highlighted Garrett’s unique mindset, which allows him to maintain composure regardless of the game’s circumstances. “He takes his job very seriously and is a guy I have a lot of respect for,” Burrow added, indicating that their rivalry has fostered a mutual admiration.
As both teams prepare for this crucial matchup, all eyes will be on Garrett as he seeks to etch his name further into the NFL record books. Burrow’s commitment to playing his game might just become pivotal in determining whether Garrett achieves his goal in this high-stakes contest. The outcome will not only shape the playoff picture but also spotlight two of the league’s standout athletes as they vie for individual and team success.
