The Cleveland Browns are in the midst of a difficult season, entering Week 18 with a 4-12 record. The lone bright spot has been the dominance of Myles Garrett, who continued to close in on the NFL’s single-season sack record.
Even with the Browns struggling in the standings, Garrett’s influence has stood out every week. He has consistently pressured opposing quarterbacks, delivered momentum-swinging plays, and helped keep Cleveland’s defense among the NFL’s most intimidating units.
Myles Garrett Breaks NFL Sacks Record
Coming into Week 18, Garrett was within striking distance of one of the NFL’s most revered records. He had 22 sacks, the highest total of his career and the most in the league this season. That put him just half a sack away from matching the single-season record of 22.5, initially set by Michael Strahan in 2001 and later tied by T.J. Watt in 2021.
With just one game left, the margin to reach the record was narrow but still attainable. That said, Garrett managed only half a sack over his past two games, and while there was once an expectation he would shatter the mark, the focus now was simply on recording one more sack to claim the record outright.
Fortunately for Garrett, he broke the record by sacking Joe Burrow in Week 18. He currently has 23 sacks and has surpassed Strahan and Watt.
a once-in-a-lifetime talent continues to make his mark#CLEvsCIN on CBS and NFL+ pic.twitter.com/GOy951yUP9
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) January 4, 2026
According to PFSN’s Defense Impact metric, the Browns have the league’s fourth-best defense. They have an impact score of 87.1 and are assigned a grade of B+.
The Browns faced the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17, and Garrett could have broken the record by sacking Aaron Rodgers. Unfortunately, Garrett failed to record a sack against the Steelers, but the Browns came away with a win after limiting Pittsburgh to just six points last week.
celebrating a moment that will live in the history books 🧡@budlight | #FortheCelly#CLEvsCIN on CBS and NFL+ pic.twitter.com/9ntYDFkhrM
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) January 4, 2026
Garrett had the opportunity to break the record by sacking Burrow in Week 18, and he didn’t waste it. Coming into Week 18, the Bengals had allowed 34 sacks this season, and Burrow was sacked 15 times in seven games. He was sacked three times last week against the Arizona Cardinals, so Garrett had a realistic chance of making history today.
Cleveland Browns’ Stats and Insights for Week 18
Team: The Cleveland Browns have a 47.7% chance at a Top 5 draft pick, according to the PFSN Playoff Predictor.
QB: Shedeur Sanders’ QBi grade has been C- in four of seven games. He has a C and two Ds in the other three.
Offense: The Browns have a PFSN’s Offense Impact (OFFi) score of 52.8 (F), which is the second lowest by any team since 2000.
Defense: Myles Garrett has 22 sacks and remains half a sack behind Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt for the single-season record. Last game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Garrett didn’t record a sack, and it snapped a nine-game streak with at least half a sack.
Fantasy: Harold Fannin adjusted to catch a 28-yard TD on Sunday. He injured his groin on the play and did not return, but he’s done more than enough this season to earn our confidence for 2026. He’s a Tier 2 option at the position and should be drafted with confidence in the middle rounds.
