Stud: Myles Garrett, EDGE
In the third quarter, facing a 10-point deficit, the Browns needed someone on defense to step up — and Myles Garrett answered the call. On the Bengals’ first possession in the third quarter, he registered the first sack of the game to force Cincinnati into a third-and-13.
On that third down, he swatted the ball when Burrow attempted the pass, forcing another punt. Garrett finished with six tackles and two sacks as he continues to put up elite numbers this season. He’s also made it clear that he won’t slow down simply because their playoff chances are dwindling.
Myles Garrett, on the playoffs: “if our chances are zero, then we gotta go knock out somebody else’s chances. … I’m not giving up.” #Browns
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) December 11, 2022
Garrett now has 12 sacks on the season as he continues to prove he’s one of the best pass rushers in the NFL.
Cleveland Browns Dud: Jack Conklin, Offensive Tackle
The entire Cleveland offensive line struggled against the Bengals but when that happens, they usually need their star players to step up and make a difference. Not only did this never happen in Week 14 but Jack Conklin made things worse as he was called for holding twice.
The first came on a first-and-10 from their own 30. Cleveland just got seven yards from Nick Chubb but the run ended up not counting as Conklin was flagged. They walked back 10 yards and ended up having to punt.
His second hold also started a drive out on a bad note as he was flagged at Cleveland’s 29, setting up a first-and-20 from their own 19. They overcame that one to get a first down and David Njoku scored a touchdown but it still wasn’t the best showing from Conklin.