Joe Burrow is intimidated by Myles Garrett’s power ahead of the Week 1 matchup between Cleveland and Cincinnati

Joe Burrow gets honest about Myles Garrett ahead of the season opener

“He can win the game if you let him,” Burrow said earlier this week. “You have to, No. 1, game plan around him. No. 2, as a quarterback, you have to be aware of where he’s at all times with protection IDs, and also know where your quick answer is in whatever concept you have called—because sometimes he’s back there before you can even catch the ball, basically, and you have to get it out.

“We play great rushers a lot. He’s one of the best, if not the best. But in this division, you play guys like that a lot, so we’ll have a good plan for him. He’s going to make plays, and when he does, you just have to hold onto the ball and not make a bad play worse.”

Garrett has 28 tackles and 13 sacks in 12 career games against Cincinnati. The former Defensive Player of the Year has recorded a sack in eight of his last nine meetings with the Bengals, including four multi-sack performances. Burrow essentially admitting that Garrett is Cincinnati’s biggest concern should come as no surprise.

Cleveland signed Garrett to a four-year extension worth $40 million per season this offseason. He has posted at least 14 sacks in four straight years and has finished with double-digit sacks in seven straight seasons, dating back to his rookie year when he tallied seven. Once again last season, he was among the league’s most dominant defenders, though the Browns’ 3-14 record kept him from winning his second DPOY award.

Expect the Bengals to give Garrett the star treatment on Sunday with plenty of chips and double-teams. Still, he’s likely to have an impact. When Garrett doesn’t get home, the Browns will need Isaiah McGuire, Mason Graham, Alex Wright, and Maliek Collins to step up. Burrow clearly has a ton of respect for Garrett—and that feeling is likely mutual.

BREAKING NEWS: Deck Stacks Against Spencer Rattler Ahead of Season Debut

Kellen Moore ruled Trevor Penning out for the New Orleans Saints season opener against the Arizona Cardinals. This has to feel all too familiar for Spencer Rattler. One piece of Rattler's offensive line is already out of the starting lineup in his first start of the season. The loss isn't crippling, but it does feel like the second year player can't catch a break.

The constant in the six games Rattler started as a rookie, and the one constant throughout that time was injuries tore apart his supporting cast. He had multiple injuries in front of him on the offensive line, the top receivers out and an injured Alvin Kamara to finish the year. It won't be to that degree on Sunday, but it's hard to not think back to 2024 when hearing Penning will miss the upcoming game.

Ironically, Penning was one of the players who didn't miss any time. He suffered a turf toe injury during the first preseason game. It's been nearly a month since he suffered the injury, so you'd think Penning should be close to returning. He didn't practice this week, but we'll monitor if he sees any improvement next week.

Saints always had a contingency plan for Trevor Penning getting injured

You don’t want to see players get hurt, but teams are more equipped to deal with injuries at certain positions. Guard is one of those positions for New Orleans due to signing Dillon Radunz in the offseason.

Radunz always felt like a contingency plan around Penning’s transition to guard not working out. Though it was optimism around Penning’s skillset being better suited for the interior, Radunz is proven at guard. Many thought there was a chance he would be the starter before the Saints confirmed they were trying Penning at guard.

You hate to see Rattler start another game without his entire offensive line, but having a true starting caliber player as a replacement makes it easier to manage. When he stepped in at guard, Radunz's play inspired confidence.