Steelers lost because of Myles Garrett, even though Browns' star didn't set the record

Myles Garrett needed a sack to set the all-time single-season NFL sacks record.

The Cleveland Browns' superstar didn't get it, but the Browns upset the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday because of Garrett anyway.

That's because of how the Steelers ran their offense.

They used more run plays than usual. They used more quick passes than usual. Aaron Rodgers threw the ball away more quickly than usual.

Most of this is eye-test stuff, yet, but it's clear they had no interest in letting Garrett get the record.

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They used one of their best pass catchers, RB Kenneth Gainwell, as a consistent chip-block presence on Garrett rather than letting him run routes.

Former NFL wide receiver Andrew Hawkins posted this on X with the same thinking:

Myles Garrett has 0 sacks…. But absolutely had the biggest effect on the game because the Steelers decided that stopping him from getting the sack record was more important than playing offense.

Hawkins is right.

And by the end of the game, the Steelers had left themselves a deficit they couldn't quite make up.

Pittsburgh will have to win in Week 18 against the Ravens, or its season will be over.

Garrett made a huge impact even without the record.

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