Steelers’ Mike Tomlin Gives Answer On If Pittsburgh Was Worried About Myles Garrett Breaking TJ Watt’s Sack Record

The Pittsburgh Steelers entered Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns with one goal in mind. That was to win, which would clinch the AFC North division for the Steelers. The Browns had other plans; however, beating the Steelers by a final of 13-6 at Huntington Bank Field. The Steelers will now enter Week 18 in a win and get in scenario against the Baltimore Ravens at home. Browns defensive end Myles Garrett entered the contest needing one sack to set the NFL all-time single season record. The Steelers appeared to play for Garret to not attain that goal, rather than win the game.

Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin spoke with the media following the loss on Sunday, as the Steelers left Cleveland with a head-scratching loss. One question Tomlin faced, was the game plan his defense had drawn up prior to facing Cleveland. Asked if his collective changed based on previous battles against Garrett, the Steelers' leader denied any such idea.

“We didn’t take a different approach,” Tomlin said.

Tomlin provided a direct response when pressed about the game plan and if the Steelers had been operating to keep Garrett from besting TJ Watt and Michael Strahan's single-season sack record. However, after putting just six points on the board after scoring 28 per game the previous three, a stretch in which the Steelers won three games in a row, Sunday's performance definitely left that question on the table for reporters to ask Tomlin with history on the line for Garrett.

Steelers Crucial Loss Leaves Door Wide Open Entering Week 18

The Steelers seemed to be on a roll entering their Week 17 matchup against Cleveland, but they provided the nightmare performance that they absolutely did not want to have. The loss against the Browns now gives the Ravens the opportunity to win the division over Pittsburgh in Week 18 at Acrisure Stadium. A Steelers loss next week would knock the Steelers out of the AFC Playoff picture and ultimately end their 2025 season. 

The Steelers were hoping to enter Week 18 next Sunday against Baltimore with a chance to rest up for the playoffs and not have to worry about the result. Instead, the Steelers will have to find a way to beat the Ravens at home and do so without wide receiver DK Metcalf. 

The Steelers were well aware of Garrett's opportunity to break the sack record, and the lack of scoring and offensive production appears to have backed that. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was 21 of 39 for just 168 yards. 

Rodgers did not throw a single touchdown, as the Steelers as a team also did not score a single touchdown across the entire game. The Steelers will now have to shift their game plan to the Ravens monster running back Derrick Henry, who went off on Saturday Night against the Green Bay Packers for 216 yards on 36 attempts and four touchdowns. 

The Steelers will now look to quickly put the loss behind them and gameplan for Henry and the Ravens, as they come home for one final regular season game in the 2025 season. 

The Steelers last played the Ravens in Week 14, a game in which the Steelers won 27-22 on the road in Baltimore. They did hold Henry in check for 94 yards on 25 carries in that matchup, a total that was far less than Henry's Week 17 performance. The Steelers will need to do something similar if they want to finalize an AFC North title and beat the Ravens a second time.

Do you think the Steelers were game planning around Myles Garrett trying to break the single-season sack record? Let us know in the comments below!

#SteelerNation