Garrett says he's DPOY over Watt after 3 sacks vs. Steelers: 'I'm No. 1'

Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett added another signature performance to his standout career Thursday, registering three sacks in the first half to help Cleveland earn a 24-19 home victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

One of the biggest storylines entering Thursday's divisional matchup was the rivalry between Garrett and Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt, as the two seek to add another Defensive Player of the Year award to their career resumes this season.

The Browns star - who claimed DPOY honors last year - says he remains the NFL's best defender after beating Watt's Steelers.

"I'm No. 1," Garrett told Prime Video's Kaylee Hartung postgame. "That's from EDGE1 to Defensive Player of the Year. I'm the guy. That runs through me. There's no other person being defended as I am or schemed or planned against like I am. So just goes to show, you can throw that out the window, I'm going to find a way."

In addition to three sacks, Garrett forced one fumble while collecting five tackles (three for loss) and three quarterback hits against Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, Watt finished the night with four tackles (one for loss) but no sacks. He was previously named the league's top defensive player in 2021.

Garrett said Tuesday that he was looking forward to facing the Steelers after Watt didn't attend the NFL's annual awards ceremony out of protest for not winning Defensive Player of the Year in February. The Steelers superstar also shared a viral tweet at the time suggesting he was snubbed.

"I've got a lot of respect for him, a lot of respect for all the guys over there," Garrett added about Watt on Thursday.

Garrett now has 10 sacks in 2024 compared to Watt's 7.5. The latter led the NFL with 19 sacks in 2023.

The Steelers entered Thursday's matchup as one of football's hottest teams, having won five in a row, while the Browns had only two wins all year. With the triumph, Cleveland improves to 3-8 and drops Pittsburgh to 8-3.