Mike Tomlin claims that the pursuit of the record did not affect the game plan
Mike Tomlin he did not buy the room. After that Pittsburgh Steelers‘ downplaying the loss in Week 17, the head coach flatly dismissed the idea Myles Garrett’s pursuit of the NFL record changed Pittsburgh’s offensive approach. According to Tomlin, the Steelers treated Garrett like they always have. He claimed it was a “standard job” despite the Cleveland Browns star entering the game for the sack of history. It was a firm stance meant for quiet speculation. However, it rang hollow after an offensive performance that looked anything but prepared for Cleveland’s relentless front.
On the field, the Steelers fell to the Browns 13-6. Pittsburgh missed a chance to win the AFC North. The Steelers offense never found a rhythm. They failed to score a touchdown and came up seven yards short on a desperate late drive. Garrett, record or not, was once again a disruptive force. He collapsed pockets, dictated coverage and helped hold the Steelers to just six points in a game that snapped Cleveland’s four-game losing streak.
Tomlin claimed after the game that the firing milestone was “irrelevant.” He insisted the Steelers didn’t change protections, play-calls or tempo because of the looming record. Still, the optics were sharp. The Steelers showed conservative concepts and slow routes. Their offense struggled to match a defense that clearly won the trenches. Whether intentional or not, Garrett’s presence loomed over every shot.
For Garrett, the season was nothing short of historic. Sitting with 22 sacks in 16 games, he is one away from breaking the all-time single-season sack record. He cemented himself as the favorite for Defensive Player of the Year. For Pittsburgh, meanwhile, a loss put them in a winner-takes-all Week 18 showdown with Baltimore. This left fans stunned how “standard business” produced such familiar frustration.
2025-12-29 04:25:00
