The Cleveland Browns closed their season with a 20-18 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, but the defining moment came when Myles Garrett broke the NFL single-season sack record — and controversy immediately followed.
With 4:09 left in the game, Garrett sacked Joe Burrow for his 23rd of the season, surpassing Michael Strahan’s 2001 record. The milestone was celebrated on the field, with referees blowing the whistle to halt play and allow recognition. Garrett, the 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, fittingly achieved the feat wearing Air Jordan 11 “Legend Blue” cleats, later securing a brand deal with Michael Jordan’s company.
Bengals’ Frustration
The stoppage infuriated the Bengals, who were driving in a crucial moment of the fourth quarter. Head coach Zac Taylor voiced his anger:
“There’s five minutes left in our season. We’re playing for our lives here. And I was never told that we were gonna stop the game.”
Taylor explained that the officiating crew gave no warning, holding the ball to prevent Cincinnati from snapping. Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase echoed the frustration:
“I never knew you could let the whole team get on your field.”
Impact on the Game
After the pause, Burrow threw two incompletions and the Bengals punted. Though Burrow later connected with Chase for a touchdown to briefly take the lead, the Browns answered with a field goal to secure the win.
The Bigger Picture
Neither team advanced to the playoffs, but Garrett’s record-breaking sack will be remembered as one of the season’s iconic moments. Still, the Bengals’ protests highlight the tension between celebrating individual achievements and respecting the flow of competition.
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