Myles Garrett's credentials demand respect from the Washington Commanders and the attention of a crowd in Week 5. Three first-team All-Pro nods, five Pro Bowl berths, and being named NFL Defensive Player of the Year for last season show why he will be the biggest threat in Week 5.
If he's allowed to, Garrett and a ferocious Browns pass rush will soon flap the up-to-now unflappable Jayden Daniels in the pocket. The Commanders' sensational rookie quarterback doesn't need to be seeing No. 95 out of his peripheral vision too often.
Fortunately, there are ways for the Commanders to at least slow Garrett down. Provided offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is willing to commit numbers to the problem.
Commanders tight ends can be Myles Garrett's kryptonite
Garrett must see a tight end over him every snap. The Commanders have the resources to handle this tough assignment, thanks to veteran John Bates and rookie second-rounder Ben Sinnott.
Washington's more seasoned fans can think back to all those years Joe Gibbs motioned Don Warren to put him head-up on Lawrence Taylor. Bates and Sinnott should have the same brief against Garrett.
Bates is the best candidate to spend most of the game eyeball-to-eyeball with Garrett. He is the most underrated player on the roster, an excellent blocker who can handle defensive ends in pass protection.
Kingsbury won't be reckless enough to expect Bates to match up with Garrett one-on-one. Having No. 87 help offensive tackles Brandon Coleman and Andrew Wylie will keep the pass-rusher doubled and frustrated.
That approach will also allow the Commanders to kick a guard out to double fellow edge-rusher Za'Darius Smith away from Garrett, when necessary. Having an extra body over Garrett will aid the next crucial part of Washington's plan.
Commanders must run at Myles Garrett
This may sound counter-intuitive, but the Commanders can find joy running at Garrett's side of the formation. He's a dominant pass-rusher first, one who plays the run only on his way to the quarterback.
Garrett has learned some tricks during nearly eight years in the pros, but the No. 1 pick from the 2017 NFL Draft can still be guilty of slanting inside too often, creating space for off-tackle gains on the ground. He'll also take wide-angled rush lanes and leave room for cutback runs to the inside.
The Commanders have been adept at hitting every kind of run through four games. However, attacking the outside behind overloaded fronts and trap blocking must be implemented under Kingsbury's exceptional guidance.
Austin Ekeler's 24-yard touchdown scamper against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3 was a great example of Kingsbury's ground schemes in practice.
Notice how well Sinnott and Bates collapsed the edge to clear Ekeler's path. This a rushing Rembrandt the Commanders managed to repeat during last week's thumping of the Arizona Cardinals.
Ekeler was out, so Jeremy McNichols got the carry, but the same tight end-led blocking knocked open another inviting rushing lane. Specifically, Bates and Coleman engulfed edge defenders, allowing Sinnott to move into space and make a key block along the sideline.
McNichols, Brian Robinson Jr., and Ekeler - who cleared concussion protocol - should all take turns attacking Garrett's side of the field. Preferably behind tight ends and extra offensive linemen.
Making sure Garrett has plenty of company can exploit his flaws against the run while also limiting the damage he can do in obvious passing situations. Committing Bates or Sinnott to be his shadow is worth the sacrifice.
