History slipping away? Myles Garrett still chasing sack record as time runs out in week 18

The number was clear before kickoff. One sack. That’s all Myles Garrett needed to break the NFL’s single-season sack record and stand alone in history. As Week 18 unfolds, that number hasn’t changed but the clock has. With every passing snap, the pressure isn’t just on the quarterback anymore. It’s on time itself, turning Garrett’s pursuit of history into one of the most tense storylines of the entire NFL season.Myles Garrett entered the final game of the regular season with 22 sacks, putting him just one sack away from surpassing the NFL single-season record currently shared by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt. Opportunities like this are rare, and for Garrett, this game represents his final chance this season to reach that historic mark.Being this close already places him in elite company. Very few defenders have ever pushed the record to this point, let alone carried the chase into the final week of the season.As the game has progressed, opposing protection schemes have made one thing clear: stopping Garrett has been the priority. Quick throws, extra blockers, and protection sliding heavily in his direction have limited clean pass-rushing opportunities.There haven’t been many long dropbacks. Quarterbacks have made fast decisions. And when Garrett has gotten close, the ball has often been gone just in time. It’s the kind of game flow that quietly works against sack totals, even when the pressure is constant.Even without the record-breaking sack yet, Garrett’s impact is impossible to miss. Entire offensive game plans have revolved around avoiding him. His presence alone has dictated play calls, timing, and protection adjustments.That’s the part the stat sheet doesn’t fully show. Being one sack away from history while still commanding this level of attention speaks to just how dominant his season has been. Record or not, Garrett has forced offenses to play a different brand of football all year.Now, the storyline is simple and brutal. The sack is still possible but time is shrinking. Every remaining defensive snap carries weight. Every third-and-long feels like a potential moment that could flip the season into history.If it happens, it will come late. And if it doesn’t, the chase itself will still be remembered as one of the most gripping defensive pursuits the league has seen in years.Myles Garrett is still one sack away from rewriting the record books. As Week 18 winds down, history remains within reach but it’s no longer guaranteed.Also read - Is Taylor Swift attending Chiefs vs. Raiders? Here’s what we know so far