T.J. Watt vs. Myles Garrett (Who Will Lead The NFL In Sacks?)

Last year, Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt was the first player since Reggie White to win consecutive sack titles. He also became the 12th player in NFL history – second in his own family, however – to win multiple titles. 

Entering 2022, the odds have him slated as the favorite to win it again. Should he accomplish that feat, he would be the only player since Deacon Jones to three-peat as the sack leader. Watt was 0.5 sacks away from tying the unofficial NFL record 23 sacks, set by Al Baker in 1978 (the official record by the league is 22.5 as of 1982). He’ll need another generational performance to get there, but Watt definitely has the talent – along with a 17-game schedule – to get the job done. 

Behind Watt is a list of fierce challengers waiting to get to the top of the sack list. Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns is second on the odds standings at DraftKings with +750 odds. San Francisco 49ers pass rusher Nick Bosa is in third at +1000 and Joey Bosa of the L.A. Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders edge Chandler Jones round out the top 5 at +1100. 

Although there’s a lot of good names on the list, this race will come down to Watt vs. Garrett. These two are the best edge rushers in the league and are currently co-favorites to win Defensive Player of the Year. 

I bet against Watt last season to win the sack title, and I’m going to do so again. Winning three straight sack titles is insane and I don’t think he’ll be able to get there. Garrett had 16 sacks in 17 games last season –  an increase of 4 sacks from the year prior. The Browns defense is slated to be one of the better units in the league and with a boost on offense, they may not have to be on the field as much. 

I think this is the year Garrett takes a step forward and gets solidified in the record books as a sack leader. 

You can find Donnavan Smoot’s full betting record here.