On a cold Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas, Myles Garrett didn’t just sack the quarterback—he sent a message to the entire NFL. The Cleveland Browns defensive end delivered a masterclass in pass-rushing pressure, notching three sacks and two forced fumbles in a 24-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 23, 2025. With those sacks, Garrett now leads the league with 18 on the season, shattering his own Cleveland Browns franchise record of 16 and closing in on one of the NFL’s most hallowed marks: the single-season sack record of 22.5, held since 2001 by Michael Strahan and tied in 2021 by T.J. Watt.
Defensive Avalanche in Vegas
The Browns’ defense didn’t just rely on Garrett. It was a full-blown avalanche. Eight different Cleveland players registered at least half a sack in the game, totaling 10 for the afternoon. Garrett’s first sack came at 3:25 PM EST—a 10-yard takedown that forced a fumble, recovered by linebacker Anthony Walker. His second, a 9-yard chase down Geno Smith, pushed the team total to seven. The final one? A textbook swim move that sent Smith sprawling, with the ball popping loose again. That was the 10th sack of the day, and it sealed the game.
Garrett didn’t stop there. He added six quarterback hits, four tackles for loss, and disrupted the Raiders’ rhythm like a metronome set to chaos. Smith, who finished with 285 passing yards and one touchdown, spent most of the game under duress. The Raiders’ offensive line, already reeling from 20 sacks over the previous three weeks, looked like a house of cards in a hurricane.
A Five-Game Sack Streak for the Ages
What’s most staggering isn’t just the 18 sacks this season—it’s how Garrett got here. Over his last five games, dating back to the Browns’ 31-6 win over the Miami Dolphins in October, he’s recorded 14 sacks. That’s the most in any five-game span since sacks became an official stat in 1982. No one has ever come close. Not Strahan. Not Watt. Not even Reggie White in his prime.
"That’s the thing I’m most excited about," Garrett said afterward, smiling despite the exhaustion. "That puts a smile on my face. The franchise record, I kind of expect that of myself. I continue to set the bar higher and higher. Chasing Mike, chasing greatness. If God wills it, I’ll go get it."
The Road to 22.5
With five games left, Garrett needs five more sacks to tie the record and six to break it. The schedule doesn’t offer mercy: home against the San Francisco 49ers (November 30), then the Tennessee Titans (December 7), a road trip to Soldier Field to face the Chicago Bears (December 14), a home showdown with the Buffalo Bills (December 21), and a Christmas Eve clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers (December 28). The season finale? January 4, 2026, against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium.
"I want it to come in a win," Garrett added. "I want to have a chance to play some games in January and February. We gotta win out."
Franchise in Flux, Star in Focus
The Browns sit at 3-8. Their playoff hopes are all but gone. But Garrett’s performance has turned this season into something bigger than wins and losses. He’s become the face of a franchise that’s spent years searching for identity. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, 22, won his first NFL start in this game—but the narrative belonged to Garrett. The defense carried the team. Again.
"Everyone’s going to be searching for answers," said Maxx Crosby, the Raiders’ star defensive end, who had a personal-best five tackles for loss but couldn’t stop the collapse. "Unfortunately, we’re just not good enough right now. That’s the reality."
Legacy in the Making
Garrett, 29, has been a force since being drafted first overall in 2017. But this season? This is different. He’s playing with a quiet fury, a sense of destiny. He doesn’t talk about MVPs or Pro Bowls. He talks about records. About greatness. About leaving something behind.
Strahan’s record stood for 20 years. Watt matched it in a pandemic-shortened season. Garrett? He’s chasing it in a full 18-game slate, with the weight of a franchise on his shoulders and no one else to carry it. If he gets there, it won’t just be a stat line. It’ll be a moment. One that redefines what a defensive player can do in the modern NFL.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close is Myles Garrett to breaking the NFL single-season sack record?
Myles Garrett has 18 sacks through 12 games in the 2025 season and needs six more to break the record of 22.5 held by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt. With five games remaining, he needs an average of 1.2 sacks per game—a pace he’s already exceeded in four of his last five outings.
Has any player ever recorded more sacks in a five-game span than Garrett?
No. Garrett’s 14 sacks over his last five games is the most since sacks became an official NFL statistic in 1982. The previous high was 12.5 by Derrick Thomas in 1990. Garrett’s consistency—averaging 2.8 sacks per game over that stretch—is unprecedented in the modern era.
What impact does Garrett’s performance have on the Browns’ playoff chances?
The Browns are 3-8 and mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. But Garrett’s dominance has given the team a reason to keep playing. His performance elevates the entire defense and provides a foundation for future seasons, especially with young quarterback Shedeur Sanders gaining experience under pressure.
How does Garrett’s 2025 season compare to T.J. Watt’s 2021 record-setting year?
Watt had 22.5 sacks in 17 games in 2021, with 14 of those coming in the final nine games. Garrett is on pace for 27 sacks in 18 games—meaning he’s on track to surpass Watt’s pace, even if he doesn’t break the record. His 18 sacks through 12 games also outpaces Watt’s 16 at the same point in 2021.
Why is the Browns’ defense so effective this season?
Garrett’s presence forces double teams, freeing up linebackers and edge rushers. The Browns have used a variety of blitz packages and zone stunts, with eight different players recording at least half a sack in the Raiders game. Defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil has maximized depth, turning a once-weak unit into the league’s most disruptive force.
What’s next for Myles Garrett after this season?
Garrett is eligible for a contract extension this offseason. If he breaks the sack record, he’ll likely become the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history. Beyond that, he’s already being mentioned as a future Hall of Famer. But for now, he’s focused on the next game—and the next sack.
