With the AFC North rivalry between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns renewing for the primary time this season, analysts had a number of subplots to observe throughout this Thursday evening matchup.
Certainly one of specific significance to followers was how the defensive battle between Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt and Cleveland’s Myles Garrett would play out.
Each gamers have gained the NFL’s Defensive Participant of the 12 months award throughout the previous three seasons and are among the many recreation’s elite defenders.
Browns NFL Corridor of Fame offensive lineman Joe Thomas believes there was a transparent winner in Thursday’s battle of defensive heavyweights, nonetheless.
The previous Cleveland participant took to X to share his ideas on the efficiency, and Thomas despatched a transparent message whereas declaring Garrett’s place in NFL historical past.
“(Garrett) at his finest is the perfect particular person cross rusher in NFL historical past,” Thomas wrote, including, “Each time one double group didn’t work, they tried one thing else; chips, bumps, TE double groups, slides… nothing labored. He was unblockable by each lineman. Don’t take my phrase for it, Mike Tomlin simply mentioned it at halftime!”
.@Flash_Garrett at his finest is the perfect particular person cross rusher in NFL historical past
The Steelers recreation plan coming in was “restrict Myles Garrett’s influence”…beat him up within the run recreation and after they’re passing the ball double group him each method potential.
Each time one double group…
— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) November 22, 2024
Thomas famous that Pittsburgh sought to restrict Garrett’s influence by accounting for him throughout each play within the contest, both punishing him on operating performs or doubling him throughout cross alternatives.
Garrett completed the sport with three sacks and 5 complete tackles, outdueling Watt because the Steelers defender completed with 4 tackles, together with one for a loss.
The Browns will take pleasure in a 12-day relaxation in between contests as Cleveland subsequent returns to motion on December 2 towards the Denver Broncos for a Monday Night time Soccer matchup.
The publish Joe Thomas Sends Clear Message About Myles Garrett’s Place In Historical past appeared first on Browns Nation.