Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns made history by setting the NFL’s single-season sack record with his 23rd sack during a victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on December 31, 2023. The record-breaking moment occurred in the fourth quarter when Garrett sacked Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow for a 6-yard loss, surpassing the previous record of 22.5 sacks held by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt. With just over five minutes left in the game, Garrett expressed disappointment at not reaching the milestone of 25 sacks, stating, “I wish I could have had a couple more.”
Garrett’s achievement adds to his impressive career total of 51 sacks over nine seasons, with Burrow being the most sacked quarterback on his list, having been taken down 12 times in just ten matchups.
Panthers Return to Playoffs; Broncos Secured Top Seed
The Carolina Panthers celebrated their NFC South championship victory for the first time in ten years, finishing the regular season with a 8-9 record. Their title was clinched thanks to a 19-17 win by the Atlanta Falcons over the New Orleans Saints. The Panthers, led by second-year coach Dave Canales and third-year quarterback Bryce Young, will host either the Los Angeles Rams or the San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs, marking their first postseason appearance since 2017.
Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos secured the AFC’s top playoff seed after a commanding 19-3 victory against the Los Angeles Chargers. The game saw Ja’Quan McMillian return an interception for a 45-yard touchdown, and kicker Wil Lutz successfully converted all four field goal attempts. This victory not only tied the franchise record for wins in a season at 14 but also marked the Broncos’ first No. 1 playoff seed since 2015.
Raiders Land No. 1 Draft Pick; Jaguars Dominate Titans
The Las Vegas Raiders will hold the first overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft following the New York Giants’ 34-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys. The Raiders finished the season with a dismal 2-14 record. This marks the second time in franchise history that the Raiders have secured the top draft pick, the first being in 2007 when they selected quarterback JaMarcus Russell.
In another notable game, the Jacksonville Jaguars clinched the AFC South title with a decisive 41-7 victory over the Tennessee Titans. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw three touchdown passes, breaking the franchise’s single-season record for total scores. The Jaguars, who finished the season with a 13-4 record, have secured home-field advantage in the playoffs.
The Buffalo Bills concluded their regular season with a likely farewell to Highmark Stadium, defeating the New York Jets 35-8. Backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky delivered a standout performance, throwing four touchdown passes. This win has positioned the Bills as the No. 6 seed in the playoffs, where they will face the Jaguars in the wild-card round.
As the NFL heads into the playoffs, the excitement builds with memorable performances and significant milestones, setting the stage for a thrilling postseason.
