Tag: Myles Garrett

Why Justin Fields is the Steelers’ X-factor heading into Week 12’s TNF

The Justin Fields package helped secure a Week 11 win for the Steelers and could play a major role against Cleveland’s defense in Week 12.

While it can be argued that too much blame is being placed on Russell Wilson’s shoulders for the Steelers’ Week 11 offensive struggles, one key takeaway from Pittsburgh’s offense remains: the ‘Justin Fields package‘ was immaculate.

The Fields rushing package has been teased since the Steelers traded for the former Bears QB, and it finally came to fruition in Week 11 against the Baltimore Ravens.

The Steelers brought Fields in for a QB power play and two QB-RB options that helped seal the Week 11 victory for Pittsburgh. In Week 12, facing a relentless Cleveland pass rush led by 2023 Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, the Steelers may be forced to rely on the Fields package as the focal point of the rushing attack.

Fields isn’t just a running QB; he can also sling it deep if the game script calls for it, and this versatility could prove to be Cleveland’s downfall in the upcoming Thursday Night Football game.

Will Steelers OC Arthur Smith utilize both Wilson’s and Fields’ greatest strengths in unison? Between Wilson’s ‘moon ball’ and Fields’ speed, not many defenses in the league can prepare for this offensive tandem.

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Browns’ Myles Garrett discusses T.J Watt’s 2023 D.P.O.Y. snub

Myles Garrett, T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, NFL, Week 12, Thursday Night Football, Defensive Player of the Year, American football, Timely, Sports news

Be careful what you wish Cleveland!  While to many it seems unwise to provoke T.J. Watt just days before facing off against him, that is exactly what the Browns did. Speaking to reporters during Tuesday’s media availability, the 2023 D.P.O.Y. award winner, Myles Garrett, was asked to comment on Watt’s less-than-enthusiastic reaction to being snubbed from winning the award after a spectacular performance last season.

Garrett, known for his issues with Pittsburgh in the past, wasted no time taking a subtle jab at Watt, stating, “I’ve never complained about the trophy not being in my house, and vice versa. He shouldn’t be feeling two ways about it going to me.”

Watt’s league-leading 19 sacks should have been more than enough to secure the award in 2023, but one thing the Browns’ edge rusher said rings true: T.J. will have every opportunity this week, when his team takes on Cleveland, to silence the doubters once again.

Garrett’s comments and challenge to Watt will surely only lead to Cleveland’s demise in Week 12, as the Steelers take on the Browns in this week’s Thursday Night Football game at 8:15 PM EST.

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Taliese Fuaga kept Browns’ star pass rusher off the stat sheet

Taliese Fuaga walked into the biggest challenge of his rookie season, and walked away with an impressive win against Myles Garrett:


Taliese Fuaga stepped into the biggest challenge of his career against Myles Garrett, and the rookie passed with flying colors. Garrett didn’t register a single snap against the New Orleans Saints. Not a sack, not a quarterback hit, not even a tackle.

It may make you wonder if Garrett is injured. He’s dealt with injuries, but Garrett said earlier last week he felt like he was at an 8, on a scale of 1 to 10. He’s also coming off of a 3-sack performance against the Chargers.

This is a huge win for Fuaga. He took one of the best pass rushers and made him a non-factor in the game. Garrett had just 2 pressures and a 8% pressure percentage, both are the lowest of the season for the defensive end.

Fuaga has been excellent in pass protection this year. He entered the week eighth in pressure rate allowed. His ranking may go up after a performance like this. It’s just further proof the Saints got a cornerstone piece in the first round this year.

This is the second time the Saints have erased a star pass rusher from the game. They did the same thing with Micah Parsons earlier this season. It isn’t over yet. The next standout rusher on the schedule is Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby.

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The Athletic Football Show makes the case for Myles Garrett to repeat as DPOY

The Athletic Football Show made the argument for Myles Garrett to win the Defensive Player of the Year award during their midseason award show.

Could Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett repeat as the NFL Defensive Player of the Year? One analyst thinks so.

Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Garrett still has a shot to defend his title. The Athletic Football Show had ESPN’s Bill Barnwell on to discuss midseason awards. The trio discussed the tight race for the Defensive Player of the Year award. 

Co-host Derrik Klassen made the case for Garrett, stating that, according to the NFL, Garrett is leading the league in pressure rate. Klassen believes Garrett will finish the season with 15 or more sacks. Garrett has seven sacks, with three coming against the Chargers two weeks ago. 

Most importantly, Klassen believes Garrett is the best player on the field. Garrett displayed dominance when he threw Joe Alt, 6’ 09”, first-round offensive tackle, like a shot put before chasing down Justin Herbert for a sack. Offenses must game plan around Garrett for every play, and Garrett still wrecks games. 

Garrett will face more challenges after the Browns have shipped out Za’Darius Smith for draft picks. Teams can dedicate more help toward Garrett now. Garrett has a steep path to defend his award. Our partner at BetMGM currently has his odds at +4000 to win defensive player of the year. Garrett is a rare sports star who rises above their bleakest challenges.

Taliese Fuaga is about to face the biggest challenge of his rookie season

Myles Garrett will line up in front of Taliese Fuaga the majority of this week’s game, making this the toughest challenge of Fuaga’s rookie season:

The main storyline when the New Orleans Saints take on the Cleveland Browns is the return of Jameis Winston to New Orleans. The biggest matchup, however, will be Taliese Fuaga versus Myles Garrett. Derek Carr will thank him if Fuaga is able to rise to the occasion.

This is the most difficult challenge Fuaga has had to face in his rookie season so far. Garrett is the reigning, defending Defensive Player of the Year and has made 1st team All-Pro three times. Simply put, Myles Garrett is in on the short list of best pass rushers in the NFL.

Fuaga faced another one of those players earlier this season, Micah Parsons. The difference between those games is the amount the rookie will see each player. Parsons plays on both sides of the defensive line. Against the Saints, his snaps were split almost evenly.

Garrett aligns primarily over the left tackle. He has played 82.5% of his snaps on that side of the defensive line. If the Browns stay consistent with his alignment, and they probably will, Fuaga will face him nearly every play. On obvious passing downs, you can almost guarantee Garrett is coming from that side.

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Jim Harbaugh voices frustration over Justin Herbert not getting roughing the passer calls

Jim Harbaugh compared Justin Herbert to an NBA legend.

Justin Herbert has taken a lot of hits this season, yet he hasn’t been given a single roughing the passer penalty, leaving Jim Harbaugh frustrated with the lack of calls.

“Does it sound like I’m complaining? Maybe? I could be,” Harbaugh said. “I think he doesn’t get some of those calls when they should be called.”

Harbaugh believes Herbert’s 6-foot-6 and 236-pound stature is working against his favor, comparing him to NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal.

“It’s called most times, you know? Body weight on top of a quarterback,” Harbaugh said. “It’s incredible. It’s almost Shaq-like.”

Herbert was sacked six times last Sunday in the Chargers’ victory over the Browns, and Harbaugh recalled one play when Herbert completed a 10-yard pass to Ladd McConkey and Myles Garrett put his whole bodyweight on the signal-caller.

Harbaugh said the amount of hits Herbert has taken this season is concerning.

“I think about it probably more than I think about anything, and I think about a lot of things,” Harbaugh added. “His protection? His safety? There’s probably nothing I think about more than that.”

The team has submitted plays to the NFL for clarification.

Andrew Berry gave a one-word response when asked about a potential Myles Garrett trade

Never a thought

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry took the podium on Wednesday following the NFL’s trade deadline date to address a potential move of superstar defensive end Myles Garrett.

Berry answered questions about the minimal Browns transactions that were made before the deadline date and if he ever thought about trading some of his stars. One player in particular that the national media wanted to believe was going to be traded was the All-Pro pass Garrett.

There were predicted trades, swirling rumors, and more surrounding the future Hall of Famer throughout the last week or so. When asked if the Browns ever thought about trading Garrett, Andrew Berry had a straightforward answer: “No.”

Despite an unsuccessful season thus far, Myles Garrett has remained a fan-favorite in Cleveland and is very committed to the city on and off the field. It appears that the Browns never came close to trading their star pass rusher, and Cleveland fans were never one to believe that a trade could be possible. The Browns still plan to have Garrett as a cornerstone player for the franchise moving forward.

Social media reacts to Chargers’ win over the Browns

Here is how social media reacted to the Chargers’ win, with most praising Jesse Minter for engineering another strong defensive performance.

The Chargers defeated the Browns on Sunday.

The Bolts are now 5-3.

Here’s how social media reacted to the Week 9 win:

NFL Trade Deadline: Ranking Commanders’ needs ahead of Tuesday

We rank the Commanders’ needs ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline.

The Washington Commanders are ahead of schedule. Remember when head coach Dan Quinn was first asked about Washington’s rebuild? He hesitated to call it a rebuild, instead using the word recalibrate.

It’s a word he’s used since, too, which make s

At 6-2, Washington is in first place in the NFC East and has answered many roster questions midway through the season. Remember the offensive tackle concerns? What about wide receiver and edge rusher? And cornerback?

With Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline approaching, we rank Washington’s needs. We recently previewed eight realistic targets, but now, we’ll focus on the positional needs from lowest to highest.

4. Offensive tackle

Imagine calling this the Commanders’ fourth-biggest need in August. Andrew Wylie has been a much better player at right tackle this season. And the combination of rookie Brandon Coleman and veteran Cornelius Lucas at left tackle has been outstanding. General manager Adam Peters will listen, but it’s doubtful he will make a move here. Washington is set with its top three. Lucas will miss the Week 9 game at New York but is not dealing with a long-term injury.

What if a struggling team gives up a tackle that hasn’t yet lived up to its potential? Would Peters throw a late-round pick to that team, hoping a change of scenery would help. Think Cleveland’s Jedrick Wills.

The Commanders will certainly look to add an offensive tackle in the offseason, but that’s not a priority now.

3. Wide receiver

Washington traded former first-round pick Jahan Dotson in August, and Peters may have stolen a third-round pick from Philadelphia. The subtraction of Dotson and the addition of Noah Brown have changed this group. The Commanders love this room built around Terry McLaurin. Rookie Luke McCaffrey feels close to a breakout. The analytics prove his separation skills are elite. Dyami Brown hasn’t put up big numbers but has proven reliable when his number is called. Veteran Olamide Zaccheaus was an underrated pickup.

Peters will keep tabs on all available receivers. What if there was a chance he could land Tee Higgins? Higgins is big, young, and could serve as Washington’s 1b to McLaurin’s 1a. Additionally, the Commanders have the cap space to pay Higgins the contract he demands. This is doubtful, but it wouldn’t shock anyone to see Washington add a receiver to the room.

2. Edge rusher

The Commanders have a solid group here, but no pass rushers who can take over games. Realistically, that option doesn’t exist on the trade market unless Peters can convince the Browns to part with Myles Garrett (not happening) or the Raiders to part with Maxx Crosby (unlikely). Head coach Dan Quinn is excellent at creating pressure, and players like Dante Fowler Jr., Dorance Armstrong, Clelin Ferrell, rookie Javontae Jean-Baptiste and Jalyn Holmes have all produced at times this season. A realistic option here is Browns veteran Za’Darius Smith. Smith would be in a part-time role for Washington, where he could thrive in limited snaps.

1. Cornerback

This is Washington’s most significant need. There should be options available. Could the Commanders swing big and land Marshon Lattimore (Saints), Jalen Ramsey (Dolphins), or Denzel Ward (Browns)? The smoke around Washington is that Peters is checking on cornerbacks. Emmanuel Forbes hasn’t taken the next step in his career, and the team clearly lacks confidence in him. Benjamin St-Juste is better than some want to admit. However, he’s not a No. 1 corner and a free agent at season’s end.

Noah Igbinoghene was an excellent low-cost pickup. He’s played well. Rookie Mike Sainristil is already the Commanders’ top cornerback. He’s had to play out of position some and has still thrived. Whether it’s a veteran like Jonathan Jones or someone like Lattimore, this feels like the move for Washington.

Did Myles Garrett hint at the immediate future of his running mate?

Myles Garrett insinuates Za’Darius Smith isn’t going anywhere.

With the NFL trade deadline nearing, Cleveland Browns defensive end Za’Darius Smith has been a popular name, but his teammate Myles Garrett doesn’t seem too worried about it.

Garrett himself has been named in some silly trade proposals as well despite it being quite obvious he is not going to get traded. Now, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year has commented on the future of Smith with the deadline less than a week away:

“I’m going to continue to play with [Za’Darius Smith], so I’m not too worried about throwing out my pleasantries and compliments now. I’ll be able to tell him at the end of the year.”

It sure sounds like Garrett is lobbying for Smith to remain in Cleveland beyond Tuesday’s deadline. With a win against the Los Angeles Chargers, sitting at 3-6 in a subpar AFC, the Browns remain in the fight believe it or not.

We’ll see how it plays out between now and Tuesday at 4:00 PM EST.