The NFL announced Wednesday that Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett won its AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his record-breaking performance against the Chicago Bears.
Garrett had a franchise single-game record 4.5 sacks in the Browns’ 26-6 victory.
Linebacker Andra Davis had previously held the Browns single-game sack record with four sacks against the Kansas City Chiefs on Nov. 9, 2003.
On Sunday, Garrett also had seven tackles, four of which were tackles for a loss.
#Browns single game sack record & player of the week!
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 29, 2021
Browns fans at FirstEnergy Stadium chanted Garrett’s name during the game.
“It’s a moment I’ll remember for a long time,” Garrett said after the game on Sunday. “I just want to be able to be here forever and have that commonplace for me, have a big game and have my name chanted, but I couldn’t have done it without my teammates, our offense giving us a lead and that coverage making him hold the ball.”
The Browns defense dominated the Bears and stared rookie Justin Fields, who made his first career NFL start on Sunday.
As a team, the Browns finished with nine sacks and held the Bears to 1-for-11 on third downs.
“We all on the d-line had a great game, and coverage was working as well,” Garrett said.
The Browns defense pressured Justin Fields on 55.2% of his dropbacks, tied for the 4th highest pressure rate by any team in a game since last season.
Myles Garrett
🔸 7 QBP on 25 pass rushes (28.0%)Jadeveon Clowney
🔸 8 QBP on 25 pass rushes (32.0%)#CHIvsCLE | #Browns pic.twitter.com/Z3rXksph2Q— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) September 26, 2021
The Browns set single-game team records for net yards allowed (47) and net passing yards allowed (1).
On Monday, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski praised Garrett’s performance against the Bears.
“Myles was outstanding,” Stefanski said. “Really, the entire defense was outstanding, but if you point at an individual, it would certainly be Myles in that effort (Sunday). He is our best player. I think he knows that, we know that and the other team knows that.”
Garrett also said he believes he could have had one more sack during Sunday’s game.
In Week 4, the Browns head to Minneapolis to take on the Minnesota Vikings.
Through three weeks of the 2021 season, Garrett leads the NFL in sacks with 5.5.
NFL sack leaders through the first three weeks of the 2021 season:
1. Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett: 5.5
2. Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones: 5.0
3. Carolina Panthers Haason Reddick: 4.5
4. Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller: 4.0
4. Chicago Bears linebacker Robert Quinn: 4.0
4. Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter: 4.0
4. Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Javon Hargrave: 4.0
Wednesday’s announcement marks the second time Garrett has won AFC Player of the Week in his career.
In Week 4 of the 2020 season, Garrett won AFC Defensive Player of the Week when he had three tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble in a 49-38 win against the Dallas Cowboys.
For their Week 3 performances, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen won AFC Offensive Player of the Week and Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker won AFC Defensive Player of the Week.
NEXT: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah Is Named PFF Rookie Of The WeekAFC Players of the Week! (Week 3)@JoshAllenQB | @Flash_Garrett | @jtuck9 pic.twitter.com/B2ZvvwrL36
— NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2021
