Going into Sunday’s game, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett ranked first in the NFL with 13 sacks through 10 games.
Garrett has been a wrecking ball this season, totaling 23 quarterback hits while generating pressure on seemingly every play.
The Denver Broncos knew what they were up against and prepared a game plan that included tight ends and running backs chipping Garrett before running a route. Denver even had a guard occasionally slide over to help in protection against Garrett, who often lined up against Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles on Sunday.
“We spent an evening just relative to the game plan with him,” coach Sean Payton said of preparing to face Garrett. “He’s having a great year. [He] easily could be a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year. We just knew we couldn’t let a player like that beat us. Right from the opening play to protection, you’re going to see tight ends — there was a lot of attention, and rightfully so.”
Garrett recorded no sacks and no quarterback hits on Sunday as the Broncos cruised to a 29-12 victory at home. The game plan worked perfectly.
“Clearly, when you’re playing a guy like that, you have to have a plan because he can ruin your entire game plan,” tight end Adam Trautman said after the game. “Personally, he’s one of the best players to watch on film. Just point blank, he’s unbelievable. We had a plan and we had to shut him down for any success, and we did a pretty good job with that.”
FINISH
This might be the best pass block finish I’ve ever seen.
Garett Bolles vs Myles Garett pic.twitter.com/Pi1Dx5W5ET
— Paul Alexander (@CoachPaulAlex) November 27, 2023
It was perhaps Bolles’ most impressive performance of the season against arguably the biggest test he will face this season. Denver also used Garrett’s aggressive play style against him, running a read option to his side of the field that quarterback Russell Wilson kept on a keeper for a 19-yard gain.
“Obviously, they have one of the best guys in the world over there in Myles Garrett,” Wilson said after the win. “I thought Garett Bolles played great. The whole line played great across the board.”
After being held without a sack on Sunday, Garrett now ranks second in the league behind T.J. Watt, who recorded two sacks on Sunday and now has 13.5 this year. After facing Denver’s offensive line, Garrett now has some catching up to do in the race to win the NFL’s sack title.
