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After taking down T.J. Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett reminded everyone of his status.
He showed respect for Watt, but ultimately said he’s still the best defensive player in the NFL.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for him, a lot of respect for all the guys over there,” Garrett said. “I’m No. 1. Edge defender one, edge one, to Defensive Player of the Year. I’m the guy. That runs through me, there’s no other person being defended as I am or schemed or planned against like I am. So just goes to show, you can throw that out the window, I’m going to find a way.”
Garrett had one of his best games of the season in the win, totaling five tackles including three sacks and a forced fumble. It was his second game of the year with three sacks and he’s now up to 10 on the season, the second-best mark in the league.
Watt had four tackles and one tackle for loss, but didn’t pick up any sacks on Thursday. He has 31 tackles, 7.5 sacks and four forced fumbles this year.
There was a bit of controversy last year when Garrett took home the Defensive Player of the Year award over Watt. The Steelers star even took to social media to voice his frustration over the snub.
Watt had 68 tackles, 19 sacks, four forced fumbles and an interception a season ago. Garrett posted 42 tackles, 14 sacks and four forced fumbles.
Garrett and Watt, who came into the league the same year, have been undeniably two of the best defensive players for years now and have had some back and forth with each other, Garrett fanning the flame on Thursday.
But Watt can rest assured that while Garrett believes he’s No. 1, the Steelers have had an objectively better season than the Browns.
Pittsburgh dropped to 8-3 with the loss, but is still well on its way to the playoffs and sits atop the AFC North. Cleveland, meanwhile, is 3-8 with hardly any chance of reaching the postseason at this point.
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