Cleveland Browns' Myles Garrett moves closer to sack record while playing through hip issue

CHICAGO (AP) — On the brink of an NFL record, Myles Garrett is a little banged up.

Garrett had 1 1/2 sacks in Cleveland's 31-3 loss at Chicago on Sunday. He's up to 21 1/2 on the year, just one shy of the single-season record with three games left.

Garrett, who turns 30 on Dec. 29, said he tweaked something in his left hip or in that area, but he downplayed the significance of the issue.

“I was feeling that for the rest of the game, but like I said, I'm just going to continue to push through because still got something to play for,” he said. “As long as there's games on the schedule, I'm going to go out there and try to win.”

Cleveland (3-11) has lost three in a row and six of seven overall. It is nearing the end of its second consecutive losing season, but Garrett thinks it's important to set the tone for the team's youngest players.

“With the young guys, showing them that it (doesn't) matter what the record is, what the score is, you've got to come out and be yourself,” he said. “It didn't happen today, but teams have come back from worse.”

Garrett recorded his first sack of day when he pulled down Caleb Williams on third-and-goal at the Cleveland 8 with about 5 1/2 minutes left in the first half. That led to a missed 35-yard field goal by Cairo Santos.

Williams became the 51st quarterback that Garrett has sacked in his nine-year career.

The 2023 AP Defensive Player of the Year joined defensive tackle Shelby Harris on a third-and-15 sack early in the fourth quarter, forcing Chicago to punt on a frigid afternoon at Soldier Field.

Garrett has at least one sack in a career-best eight consecutive games. The stretch includes a team-record five in a 32-13 loss at New England on Oct. 26.

The NFL record of 22 1/2 is shared by Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan in 2001 and Pittsburgh’s TJ Watt in 2021. The NFL did not start counting sacks as an official statistic until 1982.

“It's always been in sight,” Garrett said of the record.

Garrett was selected by Cleveland with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 draft. The four-time All-Pro agreed to a four-year contract extension in March that included $122.8 million guaranteed with a total value of $204.8 million.

He had 14 sacks and 22 tackles for loss last season. He has 124 sacks for his career, moving into 21st place on the NFL list behind Dwight Freeney at 125 1/2.

Garrett had four sacks in the first three games this season. Then he was shut out in losses to Detroit, Pittsburgh and Minnesota.

Garrett broke out of his slump with a third-down sack of Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa in the third quarter of Cleveland’s 31-6 victory on Oct. 19.

He had 13 sacks in a span of four games from Oct. 26 to Nov. 23. The torrid stretch began with his performance against the Patriots, and it included four sacks against Baltimore and three against Las Vegas.

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Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, rear, and defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93), right, sack Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams in the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift (4) is tackled by Cleveland Browns linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) and defensive end Myles Garrett (95) in the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Chicago Bears place kicker Cairo Santos (8) kicks his field goal attempt past Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, but misses the field goal in the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, right, avoids a tackle by Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, left, in the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) and Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) after a sack in the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Baltimore Ravens served notice that they have plenty of fight left as they pursue a third straight AFC North title.

The Ravens snapped a two-game losing streak and had what coach John Harbaugh said was their most complete game of the season as they blanked the Cincinnati Bengals 24-0 on Sunday.

Lamar Jackson threw for two touchdowns and the Baltimore defense sacked Joe Burrow three times. Kyle Van Noy and Alohi Gilman teamed up for a 95-yard pick-6 in the fourth quarter that served as the knockout punch, and Burrow was shut out for the first time in his six-year career.

“Complementary football in all three phases, coming off our best week of practice. We’ve had really good weeks of practice, very intentional weeks of practice, and this was another level,” Harbaugh said. “At this point in time, to see that is really what is impressive about these guys.”

The Ravens (7-7) won their fourth straight road game and pulled within a half-game of Pittsburgh in the AFC North. The Steelers host Miami on Monday night.

Baltimore avenged a 32-14 loss to the visiting Bengals on Thanksgiving night.

The Ravens shut out the Bengals for the fourth time. It was the first time the Bengals have been shut out since their 2017 opener, which was also against Baltimore.

“I think we were (ticked) off we lost to them the first time; I’m not going to lie,” Gilman said. "It was good to go out there and just put that on tape and let everyone know that we’re ready to roll.”

Jackson threw first-half TD passes to Rasheen Ali and Zay Flowers and finished 8 of 12 for 150 yards. Derrick Henry rushed for 100 yards on 11 carries, his sixth game of 100 or more this season.

Baltimore's offense was on the field for just 20:41, but scored on three straight drives late in the second quarter and early in the third.

“I believe all of us on offense had good rhythm. It felt like us, and we just have to keep pushing the envelope. We got positive yards and stayed ahead of the sticks,” Jackson said.

Cincinnati (4-10) — eliminated from playoff contention with the loss — drove into Baltimore territory four times but couldn't score.

“It starts with our offense getting shut out. Never saw that coming,” coach Zac Taylor said. “There’s a huge amount of accountability I have to take with that. It’s frustrating to score zero points. That’s unacceptable.”

Burrow completed 25 of 39 passes for 225 yards but went 4 of 10 for 59 yards and was picked off twice when under pressure. The game capped a frustrating week for Burrow, who earlier in the week said he wasn't having fun playing football.

“I mean, I think this is one of the worst games I've played. When your quarterback plays like that, your team is not going to have a chance to win,” said Burrow, who has thrown four interceptions in the last five quarters.

Ja’Marr Chase had 10 receptions for 132 yards.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Burrow drove the Bengals to the Ravens 7. On third-and-goal, Burrow tried to avoid the rush of Baltimore linebacker Tavius Robinson when he was picked off by Van Noy at the 5. Van Noy handed it off at the 16 to Gilman, who went 84 yards up the right sideline for the first defensive touchdown of his five-year career.

Gilman said he wasn't surprised that Van Noy handed the ball off.

“I was actually yelling at him to pitch the ball after he caught it, so it worked out,” he said. “I saved some hamstrings for him. Put it on me. So, shout out to Kyle Van Noy. It was a great play.”

The Ravens extended their lead to 14-0 with 23 seconds left in the first half on Jackson's 28-yard strike to Flowers in the back left corner of the end zone. Bengals safety Geno Stone was late on coverage as the Ravens took only 42 seconds to go 80 yards in five plays.

On the second play of the drive, cornerback DJ Turner had a potential interception deflect off his facemask at the Bengals 17 when Jackson overthrew Mark Andrews.

“To get down there and to get the seven points, take it the 14, two-score game going into halftime — it was a huge drive,” Harbaugh said.

Ravens: LB Teddye Buchanan (knee) left in the first half. CB Chidobe Awuzie (foot) and CB Marlon Humphrey (knee) were injured in the second half. Humphrey returned to the game.

Bengals: WR Charlie Jones (right ankle) came out in the second quarter. TE Noah Fant (right ankle), DT Kris Jenkins Jr. (left ankle) and RT Amarius Mims (right knee) were injured in the second half and did not return.

Ravens: Host New England next Sunday night.

Bengals: At Miami next Sunday.

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Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kyle van Noy (53), with safety Alohi Gilman (12) running next to him, returns an interception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) is unable to complete a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell (34) runs the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) reacts after being sacked by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Tavius Robinson during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, left, makes a catch for a touchdown past Cincinnati Bengals safety Geno Stone (22) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)