Cleveland Browns: 5 Bold predictions in Week 8 vs. Raiders

2. Garrett creates separation in DPOY race

After seven games, it’s clear that Myles Garrett is one of the top candidates for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. Right now, it seems like it’s him and Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald who are the main players but Garrett seems to be slightly ahead of him — sure, I’m biased but it’s not an absurd claim.

He entered their last game with 19 tackles and seven sacks and added three more tackles and two sacks. He also forced a fumble when he sacked Joe Burrow early in the game, which set up the Browns’ first score of the game. For the season, that’s an impressive nine sacks in the first seven games for Garrett and he also has four forced fumbles now as well.

Should he keep up at this pace, he will finish the regular season with 20.5 sacks and nine forced fumbles. For those who think it’s not sustainable, they haven’t been watching Garrett play. A physical freak at 6-foot-4 and 272-pounds, Garrett can win by sheer athletic dominance. However, he’s no one-trick pony as he’s as cerebral as he is powerful. He understands his opponent’s weaknesses and changes his attack to target that.

For that reason, this bold prediction doesn’t feel too crazy but look for Garrett to record another two sacks on Derek Carr as he not only continues his Defensive Player of the Year pursuit but also puts some serious distance between himself and the competition.