Imagine the tension: a record-breaking sack hanging in the balance, and the quarterback in the crosshairs isn't backing down. That's the situation facing Joe Burrow and Myles Garrett heading into their season finale. Browns defensive end Myles Garrett is on the cusp of NFL history, needing just one sack to break the single-season record. But standing in his way is Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, a player Garrett has sacked numerous times throughout his career. The question is: will Burrow actively try to avoid becoming the record-breaking victim?
Garrett recently expressed his belief that the Pittsburgh Steelers were more focused on preventing him from achieving the sack record in their recent game than actually trying to win. This raises an interesting point: should opponents prioritize stopping individual achievements over team success? It's a debate that often sparks heated opinions among fans and analysts alike.
When asked about his strategy for facing Garrett in Week 18, Burrow gave a surprisingly candid answer. "Yeah, I’m certainly not going to overcompensate either way," Burrow stated during his press conference. "I’m not going to go out of my way to not let him get the record. And I’m not going to go out of my way to let him get the record either. I’m going to go and play football." In essence, Burrow plans to stick to his game plan, understanding that sometimes a sack is simply the least damaging outcome of a particular play. He elaborated, saying that there will be situations where throwing the ball away to avoid a sack is the better option. "Such a situational game that I don’t think you can go in thinking one way or the other. Every play is so different."
And this is the part most people miss: it's about risk management. Burrow isn't being reckless; he's assessing each play individually and making the decision that best protects his team, even if it means taking a sack. Consider this: a forced fumble due to trying to avoid a sack could be far more detrimental than simply going down.
Burrow, being a divisional rival, has a unique understanding of what makes Garrett such a formidable force. "He’s more athletic than everybody else on the field — bigger, stronger than everybody else," Burrow explained. "He has a mindset that he’s not too high or too low at any point, which is pretty unique for a defensive lineman. I think he’s probably got a unique mindset as far as that position goes. But it’s one that you can appreciate." He also expressed a genuine respect for Garrett, noting, "He’s a guy that I’ve kind of gotten to know over the years and I like him as a person. He takes his job very seriously and is a guy I have a lot of respect for."
But here's where it gets controversial... Some might argue that Burrow should be doing everything in his power to prevent Garrett from breaking the record, even if it means deviating from his normal play. After all, isn't the quarterback's primary responsibility to protect the team and win the game? Others might counter that such a strategy would be disrespectful to the game and would ultimately be ineffective against a player of Garrett's caliber.
Burrow ended with a touch of humor, acknowledging the inevitability of Garrett's presence. "He’s gotten me a lot," Burrow said with a chuckle, recognizing that some sacks are simply unavoidable.
Ultimately, the Week 18 matchup promises to be a compelling clash of wills. Will Garrett achieve his historic sack? Or will Burrow's calculated approach keep him out of the record books? What do you think? Should Burrow be more concerned with stopping Garrett, or should he stick to his usual game plan? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
