NFL sack leaders: T.J. Watt, Myles Garrett chase the record،
As Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett stood in the visitors’ locker room Sunday with his left arm in a sling, the challenge of pursuing one of the NFL’s most prestigious milestones became apparent.
Garrett is tied with Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack for the second-most sacks in the league with 13, putting the two men within a 22.5 strike distance, which is a franchise record. season shared by Michael Strahan (2001) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker. TJ Watt (2021).
“I’ve been through some things that should have sidelined me before, and I’m going to keep fighting,” Garrett said before learning there was no structural damage to the shoulder and he could play Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams. “We have high hopes for this season.
“Nothing like this is going to hold me or him back.”
To be clear, Garrett doesn’t care about breaking records. He’s focused on helping the Browns (7-4) reach the playoffs. But for that to happen, Cleveland will need their All-Pro to continue at a pace that has put him in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation.
According to the bags, staying healthy is essential. Strahan played in all 16 games in 2001 and Watt missed one in 2021, which included a 17-game season.
Watt is once again in a position to chase the record. His two sacks in Sunday’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals put him at 13.5 in 11 games. He’s tied for the league lead with Danielle Hunter of the Minnesota Vikings, who had a 1.5 Monday night against the Chicago Bears in her 12th game. There’s more at stake than team success or prestige for Hunter, who has incentives in his contract tied to sack totals.
Here’s a look at the six sack leaders this season, their chances of breaking the record and their obstacles.
Legitimate shot
TJ Watt, linebacker
Pittsburgh Steelers
Bags: 13.5 in 11 matches
At the pace for 21
Why he can break the record: He already did it. Good kind of. Watt came up a bit short in 2021 when he was not credited for a sack in the final regular season game in Baltimore. This year, however, Watt can break the record, because unlike 2022, he is healthy, and the emergence of Alex Highsmith gives the Steelers the one-two punch that keeps offenses from overtaking Watt.
Why it might fail: The Steelers pass rush is inconsistent. Against the Browns in Week 11, Watt and the defensive line struggled to generate pressure on rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. At halftime, the Steelers had no sacks or quarterback hits. Watt finally got going in the second half with a sack and three quarterback hits. — Brooke Prior
Key statistic: With two sacks on Sunday, Watt has 91 in just 98 games. This is the fewest number of games ever for a player to reach 90 sacks. His brother, JJ, is second on this list with 102.
Myles Garrett, defensive end
Cleveland Browns
Bags: 13.0 in 11 games
At the pace for: 20.1
Why he can break the record: Garrett is capable of high numbers of sacks in a single game. He had 3.5 sacks in a win over Tennessee earlier this season. Two years ago, he had 4.5 sacks in a win against Chicago. Sacks aside, Garrett is having the best season of his career.
Why it might fail: Despite having the best supporting cast he’s ever played with up front, Garrett faces the highest double-team rate among Edge Rushers in the league (31.8%). Garrett always struggles within these double teams, but often his pass-rushing teammates clean up the sacks created by his pressure. Garrett is also dealing with a shoulder injury. — Jake Trotter
Key statistic: He is the fourth player with 10-plus sacks in six of his first seven NFL seasons, joining Reggie White, Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware.
Khalil Mack, linebacker
Los Angeles Chargers
Bags: 13.0 in 11 games
At the pace for: 20.1
Why he can break the record: Just look at the Chargers’ Week 4 game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Mack had six sacks – a franchise single-game record – two of which resulted in fumbles. Mack can break that record with his ability to rack up sacks in batches, as he has proven this season. He had two Sunday night against the Baltimore Ravens.
Why it might fail: The Chargers had one of the best edge tandems in the league with Mack and Joey Bosa, but Bosa suffered a sprained foot in their Week 11 loss to the Green Bay Packers that put him in the lineup. injured reserve. With Bosa out for at least the next three games, the focus will be on limiting Mack, and he could face an increase in double teams and chip blocks, although that didn’t stop him Sunday night . — Kris Rhim
Key statistic: His 98 yards per sack this season leads the NFL.
It takes some big plays to get there
1:53
Danielle Hunter makes her pick for best sack artist in the NFL
Danielle Hunter sits down with Michelle Beisner-Buck to discuss her rushing ability for the Vikings.
Minnesota Vikings
Bags: 13.5 in 12 matches
At the pace for: 19.1
Why he can break the record: Hunter is a relentless and experienced passer who still has his speed and perhaps more strength than ever after recovering from neck and pectoral injuries in 2020 and 2021. And opposing attacks can’t double him as much as ‘they. would like given the unpredictable nature of Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ plan. Hunter has a financial incentive to stack the bags. He’s already earned a $2 million bonus for 12.5 sacks and could earn $3 million with 14, according to Roster Management System.
Why it might fail: Sacks happen in part due to luck and circumstance, and although Hunter has accumulated them this season, his overall pressure rate (9.7%) ranks 41st in the NFL. So unless he ramps up that pressure rate, he’ll need to continue his incredible pressure efficiency to lay off. He had 1.5 sacks Monday night against the Bears. — Kevin Seifert
Key statistic: He leads the NFL in tackles for loss with 18.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Bags: 12.0 in 11 games
At the pace for: 18.5
Why he can break the record: The Jaguars are expected to face rookie quarterbacks Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers and Will Levis of the Tennessee Titans (as well as possibly Thompson-Robinson of the Browns, who suffered a concussion on Sunday), and a journeyman from the Cincinnati Bengals. Jake Browning. If the Jaguars can confuse these guys and get them to hold on to the ball, that should allow Allen and the pass rush to get to the house. Allen had 2.5 sacks Sunday against Houston Texans rookie CJ Stroud.
Why it might fail: Allen’s sacks have come in batches (10.5 in four games) and he’s had some dry spells. He has played eight and seven games without a jerk over the past two seasons. — Mike DiRocco
Key statistic: Sunday was his fourth multi-sack game, tied with Calais Campbell (2017) and Yannick Ngakoue (2017) for the most in a season in Jaguars history.
Long shots
Dallas Cowboys
Bags: 11.5 in 11 matches
At the pace for: 17.8
Why he can break the record: Last year, Parsons had six games with at least two sacks before finishing with 13.5, so he can heat up. He has four sacks in his last two games and is facing quarterbacks who like to throw the ball. Geno Smith of the Seattle Seahawks is visiting on Thursday and he was sacked six times in his last game. Going back to the last game, Sam Howell of the Washington Commanders has already been sacked 55 times.
Why it might fail: Using history as a guide, he needs 11.5 sacks in his last six games. He never had more than 9.5 sacks in six games, and that happened during his rookie season. It will have to get hotter than ever. It’s possible, but perhaps unlikely. If other Dallas passers can generate consistent pressure, that would help his cause. —Todd Archer
Key statistic: He had a 40% win rate on Sunday in a win over the Commanders, increasing his PRWR to 34.6% on the season. Joey Bosa of the Los Angeles Chargers posted the highest single-season mark at 33.7% in 2017, when the stat was first kept.
Las Vegas Raiders
Bags: 11.5 in 12 matches
At the pace for: 16.3
Why he can break the record: Crosby’s conditioning is his strength — he just doesn’t get tired, opponents and teammates say — and his production reflects that correlation. Consider: Entering this season, 20.5 of Crosby’s 37.5 career sacks came in the Raiders’ final nine games of the season. Another late-season push could make Crosby more than just a long shot.
Why it might fail: Crosby currently has 11.5 of the Raiders’ 28 sacks, with only 3.5 coming from the edge opposite Crosby. With so little relative production coming from the other side (Malcolm Koonce has 2 sacks, rookie Tyree Wilson has 1.5), teams will be able to double and triple Crosby even more, when they aren’t already doing so. — Paul Gutierrez
Key statistic: His 50 quarterback pressures this season lead the NFL.
