DE Myles Garrett, one of the few Cleveland Browns stars who hasn’t missed multiple games this season, is preparing for a Defensive Player of the Year caliber season in 2023. In 14 games so far,
Garrett has managed 36 tackles, 26 quarterback hits and 14 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, four forced fumbles, three pass deflections and one fumble recovery. What can’t be measured with simple score monitoring (just done above) is Garrett’s impact on the offense and helping the rest of the defense succeed. Brian Baldinger showed it to you from week 15.Heading into 2023, Pro Football Focus credited Garrett with 69 quarterback pressures, which resulted in 44 QB hurries this season. For Week 16, the Houston Texans’ plan for the Browns Star Pass Rusher, at least what they’re willing to share, is pretty simple: Always double teams!This year, DC Jim Schwartz has done a great job moving Garrett around and giving him the freedom to cause chaos anywhere, including lining up as a stand-up linebacker over the middle… and pretending to dribble a basketball before the snap. The Texans’ plan is good, but Garrett’s flexibility before halftime forced one team to call a timeout as the towering defensive end “moved” multiple times.Even if Houston’s scheme helps slow down the Defensive Player of the Year candidate, Garrett’s teammates will have easier routes to the quarterback or ball carrier. We’ll know if Garrett has done his job if the Browns are successful at the end of the day and if the front seven of the defense can make impactful plays when it matters most.
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