Myles Garrett silences Steelers critics with a remarkable showing on TNF

After dropping eight games in the first eleven weeks of the season, the Cleveland Browns don't have anything to play for except their pride. So when it came time for Cleveland to host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football, the biggest storyline wasn't even about the game; it was about the T.J. Watt vs. Myles Garrett debate.

This has been a hot-button topic all week, with swarms of fans arguing on both sides of the fence. Heading into Week 12, T.J. Watt was the runaway Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner.

But Myles Garrett had something to say about that.

In the first half of Thursday Night Football alone, the Browns' superstar finished with three sacks and a forced fumble that was recovered by Cleveland. These game-wrecking plays aided the Browns to a 10-3 lead at the half.

Watt, on the other hand, was quiet. With all eyes on these two players, the difference in performance between the two is sure to raise controversy.

Steelers fans owe Myles Garrett an apology

It's perfectly fair to say that Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt are both among the best players in the league. But it's also safe to say that Garrett outperformed Watt with all eyes watching on Thursday Night Football.

Now there is a large group of Steelers fans who need to give the Browns All-Pro his flowers. While Garrett doesn't create splash plays and takeaways at the same rate as Watt, he's undeniably quicker getting to the quarterback on a snap-by-snap basis and is carving out a legendary Hall of Fame career in his own right.

Earlier in the week, I spoke on the Watt vs. Garrett debate on the Still Curtain Podcast and admitted that Garrett is more consistent at generating pressure while Watt is the better run defender.

Sadly, all that many folks will remember from tonight's game is how dominant Garrett performed against the Browns' AFC North rival. Before this game, Watt had -200 odds to be the Defensive Player of the Year in 2024, and Garrett's odds sat at +3500, courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

Garrett is unlikely to win the award considering the Browns are still a bad football team. But you can bet these odds shift after Week 12.