Myles Garretts 3-sack performance shows why Rams

LANDOVER, Md. — Myles Garrett sat at his locker, “Hard Times” by Ray Charles taking part in loudly from his telephone.

But the Rams’ star edge rusher was feeling something but blue.

Garrett had just amassed three sacks and pressured a fumble in a 20-13 victory over the Washington Commanders on Sunday at Northwest Stadium, exhibiting the shape that made him a two-time NFL defensive participant of the 12 months.

Last June, the Rams made a blockbuster commerce for Garrett because they sought a nearer they lacked last season and had been decided to add as half of an all-in effort to win Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium.

“I am that closer,” Garrett said after standing to deal with a crowd of reporters.

If there was any doubt, he repeated himself.

“I am that closer,” he said, “so we don’t need to look any further.”

Depending on where he traces up, all the 6-foot-4, 272-pound Garrett has to do is look to his left or his proper. He will discover a fairly good nearer there as properly.

Aaron Donald, a three-time NFL defensive participant of the 12 months, got here out of retirement to play with Garrett after the Rams acquired the elite defender. Sunday’s recreation was the first time they lined up together.

“We got a pretty good feel for the game,” Donald said after complimenting Garrett on his “three-piece” performance. “Was able to play off each other sometimes and do some things, so it was fun.”

It was definitely more pleasant for the Rams to watch than the last time Garrett was on the sector.

Garrett’s marketing campaign didn’t start properly. He suffered a knee injury during training camp, aggravated it during an embarrassing season-opening defeat by the San Francisco 49ers in Australia and then had knee surgical procedure that stored him sidelined for seven video games.

He returned and joined a protection that in eight video games had only 12 sacks.

Consider: In one recreation, Garrett equaled a quarter of that complete.

Last season with the Cleveland Browns, Garrett set an NFL season-record with 23 sacks. If he continues his current tempo — and who goes to inform him that’s inconceivable? — he’ll surpass that in the ultimate eight video games.

Myles Garrett celebrates with Aaron Donald after a sack against Washington in the fourth quarter Sunday.

(Scott Taetsch / Getty Images)

There are now 128½ causes, Garrett’s profession sack complete, to see why Garrett believes he was “born” a nearer.

“Some people got it, some people don’t,” he said. “Some people got to train to really amount to it. But I was born with that. I’ve only continued to own it along the way.”

Commanders coach Dan Quinn didn’t need convincing.

“He looked like a guy who hadn’t been out,” Quinn said.

Rams gamers agreed.

“Myles is a monster,” cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. said.

Garrett said he was rusty in the first half. But it didn’t look that means when he sacked Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels in the second quarter and pressured a fumble that was recovered by Rams linebacker Omar Speights.

“I was trying to throw it,” Daniels said, “and then Myles Garrett happened.”

Rams edge rusher Myles Garrett knocks the ball out of Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels’ arms during the first half Sunday.

(Nick Wass / Associated Press)

It was Garrett’s first sack as a Ram.

“Man, it was a weight off my shoulders,” he said. “Getting back to who I am.”

Garrett acquired to Daniels again early in the fourth quarter for a five-yard loss.

But he saved his best for last.

With just over two-and-a-half minutes left, he lined up over the middle.

“I was like, I know his eyes are getting big,” Garrett said. “He’s asking for help.”

Garrett go off the road at the snap and sacked Daniels for a 12-yard loss.

Rams coach Sean McVay has seen it before. For seven seasons, he watched Donald destroy offenses while amassing most of his 111 profession sacks.

Rams defensive end Myles Garrett sacks Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels in the second half Sunday.

(Nick Wass / Associated Press)

In Super Bowl LVI, Donald closed out the Rams’ victory over the Cincinnati Bengals by pressuring Joe Burrow into throwing an incomplete desperation go.

McVay said Garrett was “awesome” on Sunday.

“You can’t have enough guys that can close out video games for ‘ya,” McVay said.

Garrett showed again that he is one of those guys.

And here’s a thought that may need opponents singing the blues.

“I’m nowhere near where I want to be as far as like my performance and things I know I can do and how I can move,” Garrett said. “But this is a confidence booster, for sure.”