Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett broke the NFL’s single-season sack record Sunday with a takedown of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, but social media users quickly accused Burrow of intentionally falling to help his rival achieve the milestone.
Garrett, who entered the game with 22 sacks, needed one more to surpass the 22.5 mark set by Michael Strahan in 2001 and tied by T.J. Watt in 2021. In the fourth quarter of the Browns’ 17-12 loss to the Bengals, Garrett rushed past the line and appeared to bring down Burrow, who went to the ground with minimal contact, according to video of the play.
MYLES GARRETT IS THE NEW SACK RECORD KING.
CLEvsCIN on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/Jaa4aBGrIl
— NFL (@NFL) January 4, 2026
The moment drew immediate comparisons to Strahan’s record-breaking sack, which came when Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre appeared to dive intentionally in the 2001 season finale. Prior to the game, Burrow had said he wouldn’t alter his play to prevent Garrett from breaking the record, telling reporters, “I’m not gonna go out of my way to not let him get it.”
On X, formerly Twitter, fans and commentators flooded the NFL’s post of the play with allegations of a “dive.” One user wrote, “Did Joe Burrow just lay down for Myles Garrett??? 😂 Michael Strahan is going to find Joe Burrow in 20 years,” echoing the Favre-Strahan controversy. Another posted, “Burrow took a dive lmaoo,” while a third claimed, “Burrow gave that shit to him on purpose.”
Others drew direct parallels to history: “Burrow fell down like Favre 🤣,” one user said. “YALL GONNA SAY BURROW LAID DOWN FOR HIM? I NEVER WANNA HEAR THAT SHIT ABOUT FAVRE/STRAHAN AGAIN!” another exclaimed. Some questioned the legitimacy, with comments like “Everyone knows Joe burrow took a dive” and “Nice dive.”
The buzz highlighted Garrett’s dominance against Burrow, whom he has sacked more times than any other quarterback in his career — now 12 times total. Despite the achievement, some users noted Garrett was offside on the play or that the record came in a 17-game season, unlike the 16-game schedules for Strahan and TJ Watt.
