Since DE Myles Garrett entered the league in 2017, he has been one of the NFL's premier pass rushers. And his start to the 2025 season has been no exception.
Through the first two games, Garrett is tied in leading the league with 3.5 sacks. He also has six tackles for loss and 10 quarterback pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. When the Packers travel to Cleveland to play the Browns on Sept. 21, they're well aware of the challenge they face in containing Garrett.
"He's a game wrecker," Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said. "You have to be really intentional about what you're trying to get done because if you have a bad matchup, forget about it. This guy can make it ugly in a hurry, so you have to be really conscious of where he is aligning first of all, but also what you're asking your guys to do."
Packers QB Jordan Love recognized that as a quarterback, he must be aware of where Garrett is to limit his impact on the game. Love said that the offensive line needs to get as many hands as they can on Garrett to keep him from invading the pocket.
"I think any time that you're going against an elite pass rusher, you always have to know where he's at and you have to know what the protection is," Love said. "How many guys do we have to slide to him? Do we have chips on him? Does he have a one-on-one rush with somebody over there? So, you always have to be aware of that and keep that time clock in the back of your head. You don't want to be holding onto the ball for too long against any rush in the NFL."
Through the first two games of the season the Packers have protected Love, allowing a sack a game, tied for the third-best rate in the NFL. However, the Browns' pass rush, led by Garrett, has recorded three sacks a game. Both LB Devin Bush and DE Isaiah McGuire have sacked the quarterback this season, while DE Cameron Thomas combined with Garrett for a sack against the Ravens.
Packers OL Zach Tom will be a part of their solution to the Browns' pass rush and acknowledged the threat that the Browns' attack-style defense brings. While the Browns have collapsed the pocket using their edge rushers, they have also created pressure from the interior with players like DT Mason Graham.
"They have a pretty physical front," Tom said. "They line up and they're just going to try to get penetration, so obviously they have a good pass rush. So, we're going to have to be ready. Hopefully, we can get the run game going a little bit. Obviously when we have to protect, we have to use good technique and no matter who it is out there."
Browse photos of the Cleveland Browns practicing at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as they prepare for their Week 3 matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
A helmet during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Offensive tackle Joshua Miles (66) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Offensive tackle Joshua Miles (66) and Offensive tackle Tyre Phillip (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Offensive tackle Joshua Miles (66) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Offensive tackle Joshua Miles (66) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Assistant Offensive Line Coach Ben Wilkerson during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Offensive tackle KT Leveston (72) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Offensive tackle Tyre Phillip (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Offensive guard Zak Zinter (70) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Cornerback Tre Avery (28) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Safety Christopher Edmonds (41) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
A helmet during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Cornerback Tre Avery (28) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Offensive tackle Joshua Miles (66) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Defensive back Jarrick Bernard-Converse (20) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
A helmet during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Offensive tackle Tyre Phillip (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Offensive tackle KT Leveston (72) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Cornerback Tre Avery (28) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Offensive tackle Tyre Phillip (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Defensive end Julian Okwara (53) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Wide receiver Kaden Davis (89) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Offensive tackle Tyre Phillip (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Dale Jones during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Tight Ends Coach Christian Jones during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Offensive tackle Joshua Miles (66) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Offensive tackle KT Leveston (72) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Bill Willis Coaching Fellow Michael Bearden during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Due to the Packers success in the trenches on offense, they've moved the ball down the field this season. Green Bay has generated scoring opportunities both through the air and on the ground. Love has four passing touchdowns this season, while RB Josh Jacobs has scored a touchdown in each game this season.
Against a Browns' defense that ranks top three in all defensive yardage categories, Love said the key for the Packers offensively is sticking to what has worked for them. The Packers have used Jacobs to set up the offense early in drives before using the passing game, including play action, to create explosive plays.
"They've been great against the run this year, but they've also been really good against the pass as well, so they're just an all-around good defense," Love said. "For us, it's about setting our identity and going out there and playing our game."
In the Browns' defense, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has employed man coverage to defend receivers. The Browns' cornerbacks have been in charge through two weeks of guarding receivers like Ja'Marr Chase and Zay Flowers using Schwartz's defensive schemes.
In Week 3, Packers pass catchers like TE Tucker Kraft, WR Romeo Doubs and WR Dontayvion Wicks will be added to that list. Wicks said he is looking forward to going up against the Browns' secondary and sees more opportunities as a receiver when playing against man coverage.
"It's one on one. It's really up to you if you make the play or not, so I look at that as a plus," Wicks said. "I don't think defensive backs know where we're going, so it's always fun when you know you beat your man."
While the Packers will have their hands full with the Browns' defense, LeFleur highlighted the challenges of facing QB Joe Flacco and Cleveland's offense. LaFleur said the Packers need to disguise their coverage against Flacco due to his experience and seeing a number of coverages throughout his career. He called Flacco one of the purest throwers he has ever seen on tape and said it was important to put pressure on him to contain his passing ability.
"(Flacco) can make every throw," LaFleur said. "He's super intelligent, he throws on time, the ball's going to come out of his hand, so I have a lot of respect for him."
LaFleur's respect for Flacco comes with the Browns looking for their first win of the season in Week 3, while the Packers are trying to keep their undefeated record. However, Packers S Evan Williams noted that in the NFL, anybody can come out on top any given week, no matter what their record is up to that point.
"Regardless of the opponent, we have to come with our minds ready," Williams said. "There are good enough players on that team that any week, any given moment, they can make plays. They're getting paid too."
