The shocking truth if Browns DE Myles Garrett wins DPOY

Browns DE Myles Garrett may be the favorite to win the 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. But if he does win it, he'll make history given his underwhelming finish to the season.

According to TheScore's Daniel Valente, Garrett would become the first player to ever win DPOY in a year where he recorded one or fewer sacks over their last six games since sacks became an official stat in 1982.

Not to say Garrett didn't have a dominant season, posting 42 tackles, 14 sacks, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and three passes defended. But it further proves the beliefs of those who think Steelers LB T.J. Watt should win the award.

Watt not only had more tackles (68), sacks (19), passes defensed (eight), interceptions (one), fumble recoveries (three) and touchdowns (one) than Garrett. But the 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year registered more sacks in the third quarter in Week 18 alone (2) than Garrett did in the final six weeks of the season (1).

Pittsburgh's All-Pro linebacker may have had the better statistical season, but some believe there is more to the award than just stats.

"He's the best defensive player on the NFL's best defense," head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters.

Stefanski may be biased but he has a point. Garrett played a large role in Cleveland's defense, which allowed the fewest total yards per game (270.2) in the league. The Steelers defense, on the other hand, allowed the 12th most total yards per game (342.1).

Only time will tell whether Garrett wins his first DPOY, but former All-Pro LB Takeo Spikes believes it's very possible Watt could unrightfully fall short of winning his second this season.

"Oftentimes we see so many players become prey or fall victim to the politics of the game," Spikes said on the "Behind The Mask" podcast. "Oh well, you guys are not winning. Or your defense is not the number one defense in the NFL. That doesn't matter."

Whichever player wins the award will be deserving, but there's certainly a strong case for both, even if Garrett was held in check at the end of the year.