FILE – Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, left, helps Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields get to his feet after he was sacked during an NFL football game, Sept. 26, 2021, in Cleveland. Fields hopes that this visit to Cleveland will be better than his previous visit. Chicago’s quarterback was sacked nine times in his first start against the Browns in 2021. Fields has taken a lot of criticism this season, but he’s played better lately, and the Bears have won three of four. The Browns are in the thick of the AFC playoff race despite a rash of injuries to key players. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
CLEVELAND — Two years ago, Justin Fields started his NFL career on the road. It was too miserable to forget.
Blame Myles Garrett.
The Chicago quarterback remembers almost everything about his first game with the Bears in 2021 — the excitement, playing back in Ohio, the bruises.
“And of course I will be fired too.” “It’s a big game,” said Fields, who was sacked nine times — 4 1/2 by Garrett — and hit 15 times as the Browns were brutalized 26-6. “Hopefully we can change that coming back this weekend.”
On Sunday, Fields and the improved Bears (5-8) will visit Cleveland for a matchup against the Browns (8-5), who have been plagued by injuries and relying on veteran QB Joe Flacco to get them to the playoffs for just the second time since 2002.
Fields intends to stay upright more than he did in his first game against the Browns, and it will require his linemen, perhaps a tight end and perhaps a running back or two to keep him safe from Garrett, a chore that is easier said than done.
“He’s the best defensive player on the field, so you have to know where he is at all times.” Fields said. “Every play.”
Garrett, who has been dealing with a shoulder injury, was stuck with 13 sacks for three games. He left the field angrily last week after being cut by the Jacksonville Jaguars, who felt he received some positive calls from officials.
After that, Garrett called the official “farce” He said the excessive grip and anything else the Jags were doing made his shoulder feel like it was there “A couple of feral cats scratched her.”
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said he understands Garrett’s upset over the lack of penalties and that he’s not worried about the All-Pro’s comments backfiring on him.
“He respects this game.” Stefanski said. “It’s frustrating. It’s something I talk to the officials about every week before the game – keeping an eye on people who block him. It really comes with being a great player.
“Obviously we want other teams to play within the rules, but that hasn’t slowed him down. He continues to play at the highest level.”
The Bears have seen Garrett at his best as a pass rusher, and they know they have to do everything possible to protect Fields.
They don’t feel like the officials are helping them in this department either.
Chicago was angry that Fields, who often leaves the pocket on the run, took high blows to the head that were not penalized. In his first outing last week, Fields fired a shot while sliding past Detroit’s Jack Campbell, who was not tagged.
Nothing new there, according to the bears.
“If it had been us, they would have thrown it away.” Chicago safety Jaquan Brisker said. “There won’t even be a reaction. They’ll just throw it. They just have to treat him fair. He’s a quarterback. Now I know he’s 230 (pounds) and he runs a 4.3 (40-yard second) or so, but it doesn’t really matter.”
“He’s still a midfielder and we have to protect him.”
Browns
The Browns continue to limp.
They lost five more key players to serious injuries this week. Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. has been ruled out. and Dwand Jones with knee injuries, safety Grant Delpit went on injured reserve with a hip injury and defensive linemen Maurice Hurst and Ogbo Okoronkwo suffered chest injuries.
As of Thursday, only Okoronkwo, who has 4 1/2 sacks, has had the potential to return in the last four games.
The team did not use excuses and will not start.
“The game doesn’t care” Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said. “Obviously the opponents don’t care, but the game is on Sunday for 60 minutes, and it doesn’t matter if you’re playing with young players. It doesn’t matter if you have injuries. It doesn’t matter if you’re at full strength. That’s our focus.”
Bears are the best
Chicago is on a winning streak for the first time since 2021, when the Bears beat Seattle and the New York Giants in Weeks 16 and 17.
With a win over Cleveland, they would snap their longest streak since a three-game stretch in late 2020.
“You have to stay consistent and you have to have a foundation for what you believe in.” said coach Matt Eberflus. “That’s exactly what we brought here to Chicago. It’s about staying there in the moment, staying present where your feet are. And we’ve got to continue to do that.”
Sweat bags
Although the Bears have the second-fewest sack total in the NFL with 21, they have gotten to the quarterback in recent weeks.
Credit for the turnaround goes to Montez Sweat, who has 3 1/2 sacks in five games since being acquired from Washington in a trade. Chicago has 11 sacks since his arrival.
“A lot of guys look at him when he gets on the field.” said defensive tackle Justin Jones, who had 1 1/2 sacks last week. “The whole offense is about looking to see where he is, so that opens up a lot of opportunities for everyone else to get out there and make a lot of plays.
“Beyond his theatrics, he is a true leader, an audible leader, and he attracts young people to his side.”
Chicago’s defensive front took a major hit this week as defensive end Yannick Ngakoue – the team’s four-man leader – was lost for the rest of the season due to a broken ankle suffered in last week’s game.
In an exciting turn of events, Garrett and Fields, two powerhouse players from the Browns and Bears respectively, are set to reunite on the field in an upcoming clash between the two teams. This highly anticipated matchup is sure to draw the attention of sports fans everywhere as they eagerly await the outcome of this thrilling showdown. With both players known for their exceptional talent and skill, this game is bound to be a nail-biter from start to finish. Stay tuned for all the latest news, updates, and analysis on this must-see event.