Cleveland Browns’ defensive end Myles Garrett made history on Sunday by breaking the NFL single-season sack record during a decisive win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Garrett’s record-setting moment came in the fourth quarter when he sacked quarterback Joe Burrow for a 6-yard loss, marking his 23rd sack of the season. This achievement surpasses the previous record of 22.5 sacks held by both Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt. The Browns emerged victorious with a score of 25-14, securing their playoff position.
Garrett’s remarkable season has seen him sack 51 different quarterbacks throughout his nine-year career, with Burrow being the most frequently sacked quarterback, falling victim to Garrett 12 times in their 10 meetings. The NFL began officially tracking sacks as a statistic in 1982, and Garrett’s record is a testament to his dominance on the field.
Playoff Picture Solidifies
In other significant developments, the Carolina Panthers clinched the NFC South title for the first time in a decade. Finishing the season with a record of 8-9, the Panthers secured their division crown thanks to a 19-17 victory by the Atlanta Falcons over the New Orleans Saints. Under the leadership of second-year head coach Dave Canales and quarterback Bryce Young, the Panthers are set to host a playoff game, marking their first postseason appearance since 2017.
Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos locked in the AFC’s top playoff seed with a commanding 19-3 win against the Los Angeles Chargers. Key plays included a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown by Ja’Quan McMillian and four successful field goals by Wil Lutz. This win tied the franchise record for most wins in a season at 14, a feat not achieved since 2015.
The Las Vegas Raiders will pick first in the upcoming NFL draft after the New York Giants’ victory over the Dallas Cowboys, which confirmed the Raiders’ position with a dismal record of 2-14. This marks only the second time in franchise history that the Raiders have had the top draft pick, with the first being in 2007 when they selected quarterback JaMarcus Russell, who later became known as one of the franchise’s biggest draft failures.
Impactful Performances Across the League
In the AFC South, the Jacksonville Jaguars clinched their division title with an impressive 41-7 victory over the Tennessee Titans. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw three touchdown passes, breaking the franchise record for total touchdowns in a season. The Jaguars finished the regular season with a record of 13-4, while the Titans concluded their campaign with a disappointing 3-14.
The Buffalo Bills celebrated their home finale with a 35-8 rout of the New York Jets, likely bidding farewell to their long-time stadium, Highmark Stadium. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky took center stage, throwing four touchdown passes, while Gabe Davis caught two of those touchdowns. The Bills will enter the playoffs as the No. 6 seed.
Amid these playoff implications, the Minnesota Vikings saw Justin Jefferson reach the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the sixth consecutive season during their final game against the Green Bay Packers. Jefferson’s achievement places him alongside legends Randy Moss and Mike Evans, showcasing his remarkable consistency.
In the NHL, Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog suffered an upper body injury during a game against the Florida Panthers. The injury occurred when Landeskog lost his footing and collided with the goalpost. This incident adds to his challenging history, as he previously missed nearly three years due to a right knee injury before returning for last season’s playoffs.
As the NFL playoffs approach, the stage is set for an exciting postseason, with teams vying for supremacy and players showcasing their talents in pursuit of the ultimate prize.
