History is on the line this weekend in Cleveland, Ohio, in multiple respects.
The Pittsburgh Steelers head to Cleveland with a chance to clinch the AFC North for the first time since 2020, when they lost to the Browns in the first round during the pandemic-affected season. Pittsburgh could clinch before the ball is kicked off if Baltimore loses at Green Bay on Saturday night.
It’s also a huge day for Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett, who is a half sack away from tying T.J. Watt and Michael Strahan
(22.5) and one away from being in sole possession of the most sacks in a season in NFL history. With guard Isaac Seumalo missing Sunday’s game with a triceps injury and Broderick Jones on IR, third-string tackle Dylan Cook has the responsibility of blocking Garrett and preventing him from breaking the record, but more importantly, keeping Aaron Rodgers on his feet.
Mike Tomlin admitted at his weekly press conference that Cook will certainly receive help in pass protection.
“Everybody gets help against Myles Garrett,” Tomlin said. “I just finished watching the San Francisco tape. Trent Williams got help. So certainly he’s (Cook) going to get help.”
The Steelers have utilized jumbo packages in run downs with Spencer Anderson being utilized as a tight end and an occasional fullback to clear the way for Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell, plus Rodgers. Tight end Darnell Washington has also had a solid season blocking and chipping pass rushers on both sides of the line.
“Certainly everybody has gotten help, but it hasn’t slowed down the train; he still had 22 sacks,” Tomlin said. “I imagine most of those are not 1-on-1 plays. We’re going to do our due diligence, but we’re not going to act like or pretend that we’re reinventing the wheel here.”
Cook has played well, only allowing one sack, and hasn’t been called for a penalty this season. It seems evident that Cook will receive help for his greatest test yet.
“We better put schematics around him. He better play well. And we better stay out of one-dimensional passing circumstances,” Tomlin said. “You still might not stop the bomb from going off. That’s been how impactful this guy’s play has been this year.”
Garrett has had five sacks in the last two games the Steelers played in Cleveland, and Tomlin referred to him as a “game wrecker” capable of making a significant impact. Why has this year been different?
“He’s a freakish talent. He’s experienced. He’s healthy. But he’s also probably (played) a year or two with Jim Schwartz,” Tomlin said, complimenting the Browns defensive coordinator. “It’s reasonable to expect people to get better from year one to year two, whether it’s an individual or a collective.”
At age 30, Garrett owns an NFL-high 22 sacks, 32 tackles for loss, 58 tackles, and three forced fumbles. He is undoubtedly playing his best season. Garrett recorded half a sack against the Bills and totaled five sacks in a 32-13 loss to New England.
Garrett also had four sacks when the Browns hosted the Ravens and three in Vegas, completing an impressive stretch of 13 sacks in four games.
“Certainly Jim’s been doing it a long time and doing it at a high level,” Tomlin said. “I imagine there’s an uptick in not only him (Garrett) but everybody in terms of just being in year two in that system. What you’re watching is probably the benefit of that.”
The Steelers defeated Cleveland 23-9, and it was one of three games all season that Myles Garrett did not record at least half a sack. It was the last game that Garrett was held off the sack score sheet.
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