Texans vs. Browns: Myles Garrett could be the next J.J. Watt

1. J.J. Watt vs. Myles Garrett: Sacks are a DE’s best friend

If a defensive end/pass rusher wants to become one of the elite players at his position and make the life-changing contracts, sacking the quarterback is what will allow them to back up a Brinks truck to the front entrance of any bank.

That is exactly J.J. Watt did in his first four seasons with the Houston Texans as his sack numbers were 5.5, 20.5, 10.5 and 20.5 for a total of 57 of his now-100 career sacks in those four seasons. Watt is still an impressive player and one of the best at his position, but having two 20.5-sack years in a span of three seasons is stuff of legends, and that is what the Houston Texans defensive end is … a living legend.

Myles Garrett has a pretty good opportunity to really add to his sack numbers if he can stay away from Laremy Tunsil this Sunday in Week 10, but so far this season in eight games the Browns defensive end has nine sacks to lead the NFL.

Last season, Garrett was on the verge of adding to his sack totals with 10 sacks in 10 games, and in his second season he had 13.5 sacks in 16 games. Even as a rookie, Garrett was impressive with seven sacks in 11 games.

These past two seasons in 18 games for Garrett have seen him total 10 sacks, so as he’s on his way to his first Defensive Player of the Year award. Maybe the torch is being passed in this game as both players are in the same stadium.

Watt wins the battle of overall numbers when comparing the first four seasons, but Watt is an elite and all-time great player, and he’s built his legacy as he and Lawrence Taylor are the only 3-time DPOY winners to have at least 100 sacks.

If Garrett keeps up his level of play he’s had this season, he could eventually join them one day, and his career will be fun to watch as the Browns try to rebuild their franchise.

It also will be fun to see if playing in the same game as Garrett will spark Watt to go back to his past “MVP form” for this one game, but that is asking a lot because Watt in his early years was on a whole different level that few have been able to reach.