Myles Garrett Strengthens His Case for NFL Defensive Player Of The Year

Myles Garrett's impact on the Cleveland Browns win over Indianapolis should be at the top of his resume so far.

Leading 7-0 after a 69-yard touchdown run from Jerome Ford to open the game, the Cleveland defense had the Colts in a 3rd and 7 at the Indianapolis 41-yard line.

Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew used a hard count to get Myles Garrett to jump offside, leading to a disastrous "free play." Minshew hit Josh Downs for a 59-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7 and immediately zap all of the momentum the Browns had taken to start the game.

Looking back, it was as if Myles took that moment personally and decided he wasn't going to be the reason the Browns lost on the road.

Myles Garrett put the team on his back and did everything in his power to will the Cleveland Browns to victory.

He finished the game with a series of highlight-reel plays that you'd have to see to believe. Garrett racked up nine tackles, including 2.0 sacks, 2 quarterback hurries, one tackle for loss, a pass break up, two forced fumbles and a blocked field goal.

All in a day's work for Garrett.

The star-studded day commenced two drives later as the Colts offense began to stall. There was vintage Garrett coming off the edge, who got a one-on-one matchup and turned the corner against Colts' left tackle Ryan Kelly and got a free hit on Gardner Minshew. That hit sprung the football loose, which was recovered by Anthony Walker Jr.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew II (10) is sacked by Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) leading to a fumble Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, during a game against the Cleveland Browns at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis :: © Jenna Watson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

That strip sack led directly to a two-yard Kareem Hunt touchdown run to tie things up at 14.

The very next drive, the Colts advanced the football into Browns' territory before Cleveland's defense stiffened up and forced the Colts into a 60-yard field goal attempt from kicker Matt Gay.

The decision to kick it is questionable, but it would not have mattered if the kick had the leg or not. Myles Garrett went from his four-point stance and at the snap, leaped up and over the offensive lineman in front of him. He then used his 6-foot-4 frame to block the kick in truly remarkable fashion.

HE HOPPED RIGHT OVER HIM 🤯#CLEvsIND on CBS & NFL+ pic.twitter.com/Bz3YZgkdiH

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 22, 2023

Denzel Ward scooped up the loose ball and almost broke free, but set the Browns up with great position. Cleveland converted this opportunity into a field goal attempt.

Would you believe Garrett was just getting started?

The Browns offense sputtered once more and Kevin Stefanski decided to punt the ball away from the Indianapolis 43 yard line. The Colts were pinned in deep ... and that meant it was QB-hunting season.

Minshew dropped back to pass with his feet in the end zone and Garrett came screeching off the right side, crashing into Minshew and knocking the ball loose. Linebacker Tony Fields jumped on the ball in the end zone for a Cleveland touchdown.

what more can you ask from @Flash_Garrett#CLEvsIND on CBS & NFL+ pic.twitter.com/lkDtabgZYs

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 22, 2023

That all happened before halftime.

After the break, Myles continued his great play on the very first play of the second half. The Colts tried to run a screen behind Garrett and he batted the ball down and stopped a big play. Frankly, he nearly intercepted the ball himself.

He was all over the field on Sunday afternoon and single-handedly would not allow the Browns to lose the football game. 

In a game that will largely be remembered for the Browns scoring a go-ahead touchdown with 15 seconds to play, I think Sunday will be a game that we point to one day when Myles Garrett walks the stage in Canton, Ohio during his induction ceremony.