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NFL wild-card round playoff game picks, schedule, guide
play. Jan 13, 2024,

The NFL playoffs' wild-card round schedule for the 2024 season is stacked with great matchups, and we've got you covered with what you need to know heading into the weekend. Our NFL Nation reporters bring us the biggest keys to every game and a bold prediction for each matchup.

Additionally, ESPN Stats & Information provides a big stat to know and a betting nugget for each contest, and our Football Power Index (FPI) goes inside the numbers with a game projection. Analytics writer Seth Walder picks out each matchup's biggest X factor, Matt Bowen identifies a key game-planning matchup to watch in every game, and Kevin Seifert tells us what to know about the officiating. Finally, Walder and Eric Moody give us final score picks for every game. Everything you want to know is here in one spot to help you get ready for a loaded weekend of NFL playoff football.

Let's get into the full wild-card slate, including Matthew Stafford's return to Detroit and three great rematches of regular-season matchups (Browns-Texans, Eagles-Bucs and Dolphins-Chiefs).

Jump to a matchup:
CLE-HOU | MIA-KC | PIT-BUF
GB-DAL | LAR-DET | PHI-TB

Byes: SF, BAL

(5) Browns at (4) Texans
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET | NBC | Spread: CLE -2 (44.5)

What to watch for: The last time these two teams played, Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper finished with a team-record 265 receiving yards in Cleveland's 36-22 win. The Texans didn't have their starting quarterback, C.J. Stroud, who was in concussion protocol, and Case Keenum stepped in and threw two interceptions. The Texans have the utmost confidence that they can beat any team when they have Stroud, so expect this matchup to be much different now that he's healthy. -- DJ Bien-Aime

Bold prediction: The Browns will win the turnover battle for only the third time this season. This is the first playoff matchup since the 1970 merger featuring a team that committed the league's most turnovers (Cleveland, 37) against the team that committed the fewest (Houston, 14). The Browns have been emphasizing ball security in their building ahead of this matchup, so that should play in Cleveland's favor. -- Jake Trotter

EDITOR'S PICKS

Game-plan keys for every NFL wild-card matchup: Mapping each team's path to victory
4hMatt Bowen

Barnwell predicts the NFL playoff bracket: Score picks for all 13 games
4hBill Barnwell

Our guide to the NFL playoffs: Reasons for hope -- and concern -- for all 14 teams
3dNFL Nation
Stat to know: Stroud's weakness is solving man coverage. While he has the highest QBR in the league against zone coverage (74), he ranks 27th against man (39). His QBR decline of 35.1 is the largest from zone to man coverage this season. This weekend, Stroud will face a Browns defense that runs man coverage at the 10th-highest rate (47%) and has the best man defense in the league.

Matchup X factor: Browns cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Martin Emerson Jr. -- whenever they are lining up on Nico Collins. The Texans wideout had an incredible season, ranking second in yards per route run behind only Tyreek Hill. If the Browns' corners can shut him down on any given play, that seriously depletes Stroud's options. Emerson and Ward are good players, and this strength-on-strength matchup could decide the game. -- Walder

Game-plan key: I'm looking for the Browns to scheme some deep shots for quarterback Joe Flacco. He had five completions on passes thrown at least 20 yards downfield when Cleveland met Houston in Week 16. Can the Texans contain the Browns' vertical passing game? Read more at ESPN+. -- Bowen

Injuries: Browns | Texans

Officiating note: This game will feature two of the NFL's most penalized teams. The Browns were flagged 138 times, second most in the NFL, while the Texans were No. 5 with 132 flags. And Browns opponents were flagged 133 times, most in the league. However, referee Clay Martin's regular-season crew threw the fourth-fewest flags in the league at 12.4 per game. -- Seifert

Betting nugget: The Texans are 9-3 against the spread (ATS) in their past 12 meetings against the Browns.

Moody's pick: Texans 24, Browns 21
Walder's pick: Texans 23, Browns 16
FPI prediction: CLE, 50.5% (by an average of 0.2 points)

Matchup must-reads: Garrett won't be denied as Browns begin playoff journey ... How Slowik has helped Stroud excel as a rookie ... Ward injures knee in practice, status in question ... How Ryans helped turnaround the Texans

(6) Dolphins at (3) Chiefs
Saturday, 8 p.m. ET | Peacock | Spread: KC -4.5 (43.5)

What to watch for: The Chiefs defended wide receiver Tyreek Hill and the Dolphins about as well as they could have during their Week 9 meeting, but doing it a second time will be a challenge. Kansas City played a season-high 61% zone coverage in deference to Miami's speed and quickness. The Chiefs held Hill to 62 yards and made him fumble, returning it for the decisive touchdown. A similar performance would give the Chiefs a great chance for victory, but can they repeat it? -- Adam Teicher

Bold prediction: Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will throw a pair of touchdowns without turning the ball over. The temperature at Arrowhead Stadium is projected to feel like it's well into the negatives by Saturday night. Tagovailoa has faced criticism for his performance in cold weather -- he has lost all four of his starts in sub-45-degree weather, completing just 55% of his passes. But he will snap out of it, along with his late-season funk. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques

Stat to know: Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has thrown multiple touchdown passes in six straight postseason games and enters this weekend looking to tie Terry Bradshaw, Joe Montana and Drew Brees for the third-longest streak in postseason history.

Matchup X factor: Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. He hasn't been the same player, and at this point, it has become blindingly clear that wide receiver help isn't coming for the Chiefs. They need someone to be a dominant receiving threat, and Kelce is likely the only player on the roster who can become that if he can find his 2022 form again. -- Walder

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1:32
Stephen A.: 'I'm not giving Miami any hope' against Kansas CityStephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe agree that Miami could struggle on the road against Kansas City this week.
Game-plan key: How will the Chiefs slow down Hill? Getting some two-deep coverage variations into the game plan will be key to containing Miami's explosive pass game. Read more at ESPN+. -- Bowen

Injuries: Dolphins | Chiefs

Officiating note: The Chiefs were flagged more often for offensive holding (33) than any other team, a big reason why they ranked No. 6 overall in penalties (126). This aspect of the game would be under more scrutiny had the Dolphins not suffered a series of injuries to their top pass-rushers, but it's still worth noting that referee Brad Rogers' regular-season crew threw the second-most flags for offensive holding (48). -- Seifert

Betting nugget: The Dolphins were 10-7 ATS in the regular season with overs going 9-8. The Chiefs were 9-8 ATS in the regular season with unders going 11-6.

Moody's pick: Dolphins 27, Chiefs 21
Walder's pick: Dolphins 27, Chiefs 23
FPI prediction: KC, 52.6% (by an average of 0.9 points)

Matchup must-reads: How Tagovailoa met his goal of 17-game season ... How Reid unlocked Kelce ... Dolphins sign Houston, Irvin for playoffs

(7) Packers at (2) Cowboys
Sunday, 4:30 p.m. ET | Fox | Spread: DAL -7 (50.5)

What to watch for: Playoff games between the Cowboys and Packers have been memorable, from the Ice Bowl (better known as the 1967 NFL championship), to the 2014 divisional round when Dez Bryant didn't -- or did -- catch it, to the 2016 divisional round when Aaron Rodgers' 35-yard completion set up the game-winning field goal. In that game, quarterback Dak Prescott was making his first playoff start. In this game, quarterback Jordan Love is making his first playoff start. Dallas coach Mike McCarthy was on the Packers' sideline for those last two games, but now he gets a chance to end his former team's season and advance to the divisional round of the playoffs for the second straight season. -- Todd Archer

Bold prediction: In a game that features the quarterbacks who ranked first and second in the NFL in touchdown passes this season (Prescott with 36, Love with 32), both Packers running back Aaron Jones and Cowboys running back Tony Pollard will top 100 yards. Jones ended the season with three straight games over 100 yards. And Pollard is coming off his second consecutive 1,000-yard season and will face a Green Bay defense that allowed a 28th-ranked 128.3 rushing yards per game this season. -- Rob Demovsky

Stat to know: The Packers are 5-0 at AT&T Stadium all time, including playoffs (4-0 versus the Cowboys, plus a Super Bowl XLV win against the Steelers).

Matchup X factor: Love. In theory, this should be Dallas' game, and it shouldn't be that close. But since Week 10, the top players in QBR have been Prescott and Love, respectively. If Love can pull out an exceptional game, Green Bay has a real chance. -- Walder

Game-plan key: I'm excited to see if Dallas can scheme some interior pass-rushing plays for Micah Parsons. He led the NFL in pass rush win rate this season (35.4%), and there will be opportunities when he kicks inside. Read more at ESPN+. -- Bowen

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2:34
Stephen A.: Cowboys under more pressure to reach Super Bowl than 49ers.Stephen A. Smith and Chris "Mad Dog" Russo disagree on whether the Dallas Cowboys or San Francisco 49ers are under more pressure to reach the Super Bowl this season.
Injuries: Packers | Cowboys

Officiating note: The Cowboys have been exceptional this season at drawing coverage penalties from opponents, who have been flagged an NFL-high 31 times for defensive pass interference, defensive holding or illegal contact. It's a big reason why the Cowboys led the league with 43 first downs via penalty. The Packers' shell coverage, however, was only flagged 16 times for coverage fouls, the NFL's seventh fewest. -- Seifert

Betting nugget: The Packers were 10-7 ATS in the regular season with overs going 10-7. The Cowboys were 10-7 ATS in the regular season with unders going 9-8.

Moody's pick: Cowboys 34, Packers 21
Walder's pick: Cowboys 31, Packers 24
FPI prediction: DAL, 73.6% (by an average of 9.1 points)

Matchup must-reads: How Love is staying 'level' for playoff debut ... If not now, when for Prescott and a Cowboys Super Bowl? ... How Love outdid Rodgers, Favre in Year 1 ... Cowboys' McCarthy: Revisiting Packers tenure 'won't help us win'

(6) Rams at (3) Lions
Sunday, 8 p.m. ET | NBC | Spread: DET -3 (51.5)

What to watch for: Matthew Stafford against Jared Goff. It's the Lions' first home playoff game since the 1993 season, as the two former No. 1 overall pick quarterbacks face off for the second time since being traded for each other in 2021. There is no shortage of suspense as Lions coach Dan Campbell will try to lead Detroit to its first postseason victory since the 1991 season, while Rams coach Sean McVay is looking to improve his 7-3 career record in playoff games. -- Eric Woodyard

Best of NFL Nation

• McCarthy-Prescott bond spurs Cowboys
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Bold prediction: Stafford will throw for at least 350 yards. It isn't a mark he has hit yet this season, but the matchup could be a high-scoring one. Stafford, who played for the Lions for 12 seasons, has a career average of 277.7 pass yards per game at Ford Field, the fourth highest by any quarterback at a single stadium in NFL history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. -- Sarah Barshop

Stat to know: The Lions went for it on fourth down 34% of the time this season, the highest of any team this century. The Rams went for it 17% of the time, which ranked 20th this season. But Los Angeles might consider being more aggressive on fourth down as it has missed 16 combined field goals and extra points this season, the most by any team since the 2001 Steelers (17).

Matchup X factor: Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson. He finished the regular season red hot with 5.0 sacks, a forced fumble and a 19% pass rush win rate at edge in his final two games. If he keeps that up, that would be huge for the Lions' defense. -- Walder

Game-plan key: Lions running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs could see volume on Sunday night, especially out of 11 personnel. The Rams allowed 4.9 yards per carry against such alignments this season. Read more at ESPN+. -- Bowen

Injuries: Rams | Lions

Officiating note: The Lions' challenge in covering the Rams' passing game will be enhanced by their proclivity to commit coverage penalties. They were flagged 29 times for defensive pass interference, defensive holding or illegal contact, the fifth most in the NFL. They were also flagged six times for roughing the passer, tied for the fourth most. Referee Craig Wrolstad threw four flags for roughing the passer during the regular season, tied for sixth fewest. -- Seifert

Betting nugget: The Rams were 10-7 ATS in the regular season with overs going 9-8. The Lions were 12-5 ATS in the regular season, the best record in the NFL. Their overs went 11-6, also tied for the highest over percentage in the NFL.

Moody's pick: Rams 28, Lions 24
Walder's pick: Lions 24, Rams 20
FPI prediction: DET, 53.9% (by an average of 1.4 points)

Matchup must-reads: Stafford built his resiliency in Detroit -- now he hopes to topple the Lions ... Goff: Chip on shoulder from Rams trade will never leave me ... Morris has drive to be an HC again ... Untold stories of Campbell as a player

(7) Steelers at (2) Bills
Monday, 4:30 p.m. ET | CBS | Spread: BUF -10 (35.5)

What to watch for: The roads that the Bills and Steelers took to this game contain an eerie number of similarities, from losing key players to injury for stretches to putting together season-ending winning streaks despite low playoff odds. Both teams also fired their offensive coordinators at midseason, becoming the first playoff teams to have an in-season coordinator change since the 2012 Ravens. The Steelers are looking for the team's first playoff win since 2016, while the Bills are 13-2 in home playoff games since 1970. Limiting quarterback Josh Allen in the postseason will pose a challenge for Pittsburgh, as Allen is the only player in NFL playoff history to average 250 passing yards and 50 rushing yards per game (min. five games) and has the highest combined average yardage (343.9). -- Alaina Getzenberg

Bold prediction: Steelers running back Najee Harris will have his third consecutive game of at least 100 rushing yards. The Bills' rushing defense is arguably the toughest the Steelers have faced in at least a month, allowing opponents an average of 103 rushing yards per game in their past three contests. But Harris is on a roll with back-to-back games of 100-plus rushing yards. With the temperature expected to be below freezing, wind gusts of 50 miles per hour and possible light snow, the Steelers will lean heavily on their ground game. Sharing the backfield with Jaylen Warren, Harris had just 255 touches in the regular season, his fewest in his three-year NFL career, making him as fresh as possible for the playoffs. -- Brooke Pryor

2023 NFL Playoffs

• Barnwell's playoff predictions (ESPN+) »
• Our guide to all 14 playoff teams »
• What to know for wild-card games »
• Wild-card matchup keys (ESPN+) »
• Full playoff bracket and schedule »

Stat to know: The Steelers had nine wins in one-score games during the regular season, which led the NFL and are the most in a single season in franchise history.

Matchup X factor: Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins. With edge rusher T.J. Watt out, Alex Highsmith is even more crucial to the Steelers' pass rush. If Dawkins -- who has had a really nice season and ranked fourth in pass block win rate among tackles -- can shut down Highsmith, that should set up Allen for a pretty smooth day. -- Walder

Game-plan key: Pittsburgh has to run the ball well between the tackles. Harris and Warren finished the regular season hot, and Buffalo allowed 4.6 yards per carry on inside runs this season, 30th in the NFL. Read more at ESPN+. -- Bowen

Injuries: Steelers | Bills

Officiating note: This game will benefit from one of the NFL's most trusted referees. Carl Cheffers has been the Super Bowl referee in two of the past three years and three times in the past seven. His regular-season crew threw the third-fewest flags in the league (12.1 per game). -- Seifert

Betting nugget: The Steelers were 10-7 ATS in the regular season with unders going 11-6. The Bills were 7-10 ATS in the regular season with unders going 11-6.

Moody's pick: Bills 34, Steelers 20
Walder's pick: Bills 30, Steelers 13
FPI prediction: BUF, 76.6% (by an average of 10.4 points)

Matchup must-reads: How Tomlin inspired the battered Steelers' unlikely playoff push ... Have the Bills shed their shaky late-game reputation? The playoffs will decide ... Who's to thank for Steelers' playoff push? Start with guys claimed 'off the couch'

(5) Eagles at (4) Buccaneers
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN/ABC/ESPN+ | Spread: PHI -3 (43.5)

What to watch for: This is a Week 3 rematch that Bucs inside linebacker Devin White so accurately predicted after the Bucs' 25-11 home loss on "Monday Night Football." But these two teams have headed in opposite directions. The Bucs won five of their past six games, while the Eagles have lost five of their past six. The Bucs will also see a different looking defense since senior assistant Matt Patricia took over in Week 15. Both quarterbacks are dealing with injuries, as Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield has not only a rib injury but also an ankle injury, while Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts suffered a finger injury on his throwing hand in Week 18. -- Jenna Laine

Bold prediction: Bucs running back Rachaad White will eclipse 125 all-purpose yards. The last time these two teams met, the Eagles held Tampa Bay to 41 rushing yards. But the run defense has fallen off a cliff since then, yielding 142 yards per game on average over their past seven games. A banged-up Mayfield could lean on White in both the ground and short passing game. -- Tim McManus

Stat to know: Hurts has struggled with ball security against the blitz this season, throwing five touchdown passes with eight interceptions. Those eight turnovers were the most by any quarterback when blitzed this season. This weekend, Hurts will face a Tampa Bay defense that blitzed at the third-highest rate during the regular season.

Matchup X factor: Hurts' finger. He said on Thursday that he hadn't thrown a ball since injuring his finger in Week 18. If that injury hampers his ability to throw the ball on Monday night, then this is an entirely different ballgame. -- Walder

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1:40
Is Nick Sirianni's job on the line if Eagles lose to the Bucs?Andrew Hawkins and Dan Graziano weigh in on whether Nick Sirianni's job is at stake if the Eagles lose early in the playoffs.
Game-plan key: Can Philly get the run game going with D'Andre Swift? He ran for 130 yards against Tampa Bay back in Week 3, and feeding him in the run game could help the Eagles get into a rhythm. Read more at ESPN+. -- Bowen

Injuries: Eagles | Buccaneers

Officiating note: For all of the public discussion the Eagles endured over their offensive linemen lining up offsides on "tush push" plays, the bigger story is that their offensive line was flagged an NFL-low eight times for offensive holding. The Buccaneers' defensive front drew 22 such flags, tied for 16th-most. -- Seifert

Betting nugget: The Eagles were 7-10 ATS in the regular season with overs going 9-8. The Buccaneers were 11-6 ATS in the regular season with unders going 11-6.

Moody's pick: Buccaneers 28, Eagles 21
Walder's pick: Eagles 21, Buccaneers 16
FPI prediction: PHI, 57.3% (by an average of 2.6 points)

Matchup must-reads: Is the Eagles' pass rush as fearsome as it seems? ... Buccaneers clinch third straight NFC South title with win

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Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett won't be denied
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Marcus Spears details why Myles Garrett is the second best defensive player in the NFL right now. (0:52)

Jake Trotter, ESPN Staff Writer
Jan 12, 2024, 06:00 AM ET
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MYLES GARRETT COULDN'T lift his left arm high enough to put on a shirt.

After wincing through several attempts, the Cleveland Browns' All-Pro defensive end went searching the Denver Broncos visitors locker room for help. He finally found a trainer, who pulled the long-sleeved white shirt over Garrett's head before placing his ailing shoulder -- the cause of his troubles -- in a sling.

Five days later, Garrett walked across UCLA's practice field, able to lift the shoulder enough to sip on a protein shake. He hadn't missed a game all season. And he wouldn't miss the next one against the Los Angeles Rams, either, despite the pain he was experiencing.

"Don't find an excuse, find a way," Garrett told ESPN. "At the end of the day, there's going to be a winner and a loser. No one's going to look back and say, 'Oh, he was hurt, or he felt like this, or he was going through that.' All they see is the box score and who came out on the right side of things."

2023 NFL Playoffs

This year, the Browns have taken on Garrett's resilience, shaped by a string of promising seasons thwarted -- from the notorious 2019 helmet swing against the Pittsburgh Steelers, to the car accident that left him with a shoulder sprain that never fully healed last season.

Garrett had been derailed enough. He wasn't about to allow it to happen again. And he vowed that this season, he wouldn't be denied, no matter what.

"Not allowing anything to stop me," Garrett said of his mindset this season. "It's all about being relentless."

One snag after another prevented Garrett from reaching his ultimate potential in past seasons. But Garrett also came to the realization that, in some ways, he was holding the Browns back from reaching theirs, too. Sacking the quarterback alone wasn't enough. Past teammates grumbled about Garrett's lack of leadership, both privately and publicly. He showed up late to meetings, which affected his ability to lead.

To become a true contender, the Browns needed their introverted and laidback superstar to set the tone off the field, as well: Mentor younger players; become a vocal leader; be the example for the locker room; show up on time; speak up in the meeting room; elevate the play of teammates. He knew he had to be relentless in that, too.

On Saturday, the Browns will make their third postseason appearance in three decades when they visit the Houston Texans (4:30 p.m. ET, NBC). After season-ending injuries to several key players, including Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb and quarterback Deshaun Watson, and while starting five different quarterbacks, Cleveland finished with 11 regular-season wins, tied for the most by the franchise since 1986.

Ask nearly anyone in the organization -- players, coaches, front office personnel -- and they will say Garrett is the biggest reason the Browns are in this position and have been able to overcome so much.

Garrett had always been a dominant individual pass-rusher. But according to those same people in the organization, this year he's grown into that leader who has helped transform the Cleveland defense into a dominant unit. In turn, the Browns have emerged as a legitimate threat to reach their first Super Bowl.

"He's taken that next step as a leader and foundational piece for this franchise," said linebacker Anthony Walker, whom, along with Garrett, the players voted a defensive captain in the preseason. "You see it now. A lot of guys stepping up and making plays. That's a testament to him. ... That's the difference.

"And nothing stopping him now."

Garrett closed the regular season as the favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year. Michael Owens/Getty Images
IN JULY, RETIRED defensive tackle Malik Jackson called Garrett out on NFL Network's "Good Morning Football."

"I don't think his leadership skills were the best," said Jackson, who played for the Browns in 2021. "He needs to take that bull by the horns and just lead more by example as far as in the classroom because we all know what he can do on the field. But to be able to go in the classroom, command that respect, and tell guys what to do is really where I think he really needs to take that jump. ... [But] some guys just don't have it."

Leading into last year's final game, then-Browns defensive end Jadeveon Clowney told Cleveland.com he wouldn't be re-signing because the team was "trying to get [Garrett] into the Hall of Fame instead of winning games."

According to multiple sources, Garrett was late to meetings, which irked veterans like Jackson. He once blew off a meeting altogether, which especially bothered Clowney and Jackson. Garrett's casual approach ultimately affected his ability to lead.

"I didn't have a mentor to teach me how to lead, and most of the guys I talked to were out of the league or upper management, and they were trying to tell me that there was a certain way to lead," Garrett said. "They had this picture in their mind of how a leader should go about his business. I was like, 'Well, that's not me.' It really took me time. ... [Finding] the wisdom to understand what kind of leader that I am and how to elevate others in a way that suits me."

Early in his career, Browns left guard Joel Bitonio, now an offensive captain, had Hall of Fame left tackle Joe Thomas to apprentice under. Garrett didn't have anyone like that on the defensive side.

"People look up to Myles because he's such an elite player," said Bitonio, a six-time Pro Bowler who is the only current Brown who's played for Cleveland longer than Garrett. "I don't know if he ever needed to be that vocal leader because he just was like, 'I play good. I'm a good player for us.' And when he came in the league. ... we never really had a guy be his leader."

As a rookie, Garrett led the Browns with seven sacks, but Cleveland finished 0-16.

"He was so dominant from Day 1. ... that we just automatically said, 'Oh, well, you're the best player on the team. You should be a leader,'" said Thomas, who played with Garrett in 2017 before retiring. "And sometimes you're just not ready for that role right away."

This year, Garrett was ready.

Multiple sources said Garrett is never late anymore. More than that, he's the one now holding others accountable and trying to enhance team chemistry. Garrett helped put together a weekly defensive line dinner, either at restaurants or players' houses.

"An amazing guy," defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson said. "Off the field, you could say he's blossomed out of his shell a little bit more."

Players also say Garrett is teaching and speaking in position meetings, the way former Browns say Thomas once did. Garrett has also taken younger players under his wing, most notably rookie defensive end Isaiah McGuire, who recorded his first career sack in Sunday's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. McGuire told ESPN that Garrett is constantly working with him, whether watching film or practicing technique.

"I've seen Myles mature over the time that I've been with him," said Kevin Stefanski, in his fourth season as Cleveland's head coach. "Obviously a very intelligent player and intelligent person, great off the field. But I think in his leadership is where I've seen a huge jump. And I think his teammates would tell you that, as well.

"We're very fortunate to have really good leadership on this team. When it comes from Myles, and the caliber of player that he is, that's just a greater driver."

Myles Garrett has become the leader the Browns needed to propel them into the postseason. Michael Owens/Getty Images
PAST SETBACKS HAVE added fuel to Garrett's desire to not be denied this season.

In 2019, his third season, Garrett seemed on his way to winning NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Garrett had 10 sacks and Cleveland was on the verge of defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers to keep its postseason hopes alive. But in the waning seconds, an enraged Garrett tore the helmet off Mason Rudolph and smashed it into the Pittsburgh quarterback's head. Garrett later said Rudolph incited him by using a racial slur. Rudolph called the allegation "totally untrue." The NFL suspended Garrett six games, ending his season -- and, effectively, Cleveland's playoff hopes.

Garrett doesn't like to relive that moment. But he admits it hurt knowing he let the team down.

"The years I didn't win Defensive Player of the Year, or something derailed me or took me out [of] the game or for multiple games off the field, it wasn't that I wasn't winning the trophy that hurt," he said. "It was more I wasn't there for my teammates. I didn't have the opportunity to give my all to them or give my best for them. I wanted to be there for them to give us the best chance to win and bring success back to Cleveland. Those are the things that really mean a lot to me."

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Garrett was making a case for Defensive Player of the Year in 2020, but he was never the same after catching COVID-19. When he returned after two games, he struggled to breathe and suffered from constant coughing fits. Later that season, Cleveland won its first playoff game in 26 years by upsetting Pittsburgh but couldn't knock off the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round.

Then last September, Garrett was speeding on his way home from practice when he flipped his Porsche in a single-car crash. Garrett, who was cited for failure to control a motor vehicle, suffered shoulder and biceps strains that forced him to sit a Week 4 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. He had to play through the shoulder injury the rest of the season and the Browns missed the playoffs again.

Garrett doesn't want to revisit those experiences, either. But he said he's learned from them.

"Molded me into the man I am," Garrett said. "Fighting through adversity really kind of shapes who you are and the kind of player you will be. How you choose to react to those things and those obstacles in life, it really is telling who the man is inside."

Garrett has been there for his teammates all season.

Despite being hurt, he played in Week 13 against the Rams, though failed to record a tackle in a game for the first time in his career with the shoulder injury clearly hampering him.

But he roared back the following week. In the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Stefanski grabbed Garrett and told him, "Let's go eat. It's time, OK?" Garrett, who was wearing a microphone, responded, "I'm going to end this game for us."

Moments later, he fought through two Jaguars to sack quarterback Trevor Lawrence and foil Jacksonville's 2-point conversion try. The Browns would go on a four-game winning streak, culminating with a playoff-clinching victory over the New York Jets on Dec. 28.

During that stretch, Garrett was dominant, delivering 35 pass-rush wins; only one other edge rusher had more than 20 (Pittsburgh's T.J. Watt had 26).

"Go put the tape on and watch how [opposing teams] try to block him," Stefanski said.

"He won't be denied."

Myles Garrett has traveled a long road back from the 2019 incident with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph. Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
GARRETT'S NEWFOUND DEDICATION has prompted comparisons to some of the NFL's all-time greats.

Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said he's coached only two other players who are comparable difference-makers -- former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis and Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson.

"The definition of a great player is when an opponent starts their game plan with, 'We're going to take care of this guy, right? Like, we're not going to let this guy beat us, right?" Schwartz, who's in his first year in Cleveland, said. "And every week that player still makes plays. Myles fits in that category. A lot of guys can make plays when they don't see attention. He affects the game and helps other people make plays."

Garrett ranks sixth in the league with 14 sacks, his lowest total since 2020 when he had to sit the two games with COVID-19. Garrett, however, is second in pass rush win rate (30.5%) despite facing the third highest double-team rate (28.8%).

With Garrett commanding attention, the rest of the Browns' defense has thrived. Cleveland leads the league in defensive efficiency, yards per game allowed (267 yards) and three-and-out rate (32.9%), among numerous other categories.

"Say whatever you want about sack numbers," Schwartz said. "We're the best third-down defense in the league by a pretty good chunk, and he has everything to do with that. Our corners [Pro Bowler Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson Jr. and Greg Newsome II] are really high in their coverage percentages. Every single one of them can attribute some of that to Myles Garrett."

Shortly after taking the job with the Browns, Schwartz, who won a Super Bowl in 2017 as defensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles, met with Garrett and set "very strong" expectations for him, according to one team source. In 2022, Garrett was selected to a third straight All-Pro team, but the Browns' defense struggled on the way to a 7-10 finish. Schwartz wouldn't detail his early conversations with Garrett. But he did note that Garrett "has been everything that we expected."

Garrett's drive for greatness has extended to his diet and exercise program as well. This offseason, he added Pilates and yoga to his routine. Despite his love for big breakfasts, he gave up pancakes, waffles, French toast and, most begrudgingly, Cap'n Crunch cereal.

That commitment has paid off at the line of scrimmage. According to Next Gen Stats, Garrett on average is getting off the line in 0.66 seconds, the quickest jump of any player in the league and best of his career.

The added burst was evident from the first week of Browns training camp. Though he wasn't allowed to touch Watson or the other quarterbacks, he repeatedly blew up plays, blowing past Cleveland's offensive linemen.

"He was locked in," Bitonio said.

Led by Garrett, the Browns ranked first in the NFL in total defense in 2023. Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images
In a harbinger of what was to come, Garrett didn't produce the first sack of the year in Cleveland's opener against Cincinnati. But he forced it. Mimicking a basketball crossover, Garrett juked Bengals center Ted Karras and forced quarterback Joe Burrow to scramble into the arms of Browns defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo, wrecking Cincinnati's only promising drive of the day in a 24-3 Cleveland win.

"Now it's more about, how can I elevate my teammates?" Garrett said. "If they're going to send two or three [blockers] my way, that means I've got to make sure that those two, three [blockers] are continuously occupied, continuously fighting me. That allows those other guys to get one-on-ones, that helps them make a play."

Garrett has still found ways to make the play himself, too.

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On Oct. 22, he became the first player this century, according to ESPN Stats & Info, to force two fumbles and block a field goal in a single game. All three plays led to 17 points, propelling Cleveland to a 39-38 win over the Indianapolis Colts.

The Browns have won five games with a winning score in the final two minutes of regulation this season -- a franchise record. A key defensive stop set up each of those comebacks. The Browns put other teams away with overwhelming fourth quarter defense.

"The reason why they've been able to overcome all the injuries they've had is because I've yet to see anybody able to block Myles," said Thomas, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year. "If you get any sort of lead towards the end of the game, he's going to close the game for you. It's kind of like in baseball, having a dominant relief pitcher who as soon as he comes in, the game's over."

Buoyed by Cleveland's team success, Garrett ended the regular season as the betting favorite to win his first Defensive Player of the Year award. Garrett, who turned 28 last month, confessed that it would've consumed him in his younger years. Now, he's fixated on another goal: finishing his career with the Browns and delivering Cleveland a title.

"I want to be viewed as the best. I want to be respected as the best," Garrett said. "But that's not as much on my mind anymore. The opinions of my peers or analysts or experts, those things don't really weigh on me anymore. It's all about wins and losses. You want to be the last winner at the end of the year. That's who's remembered. ... and I want to make Cleveland a winner."

As he took another sip of the protein shake, Garrett admitted that after seven seasons in the NFL, he's begun to ponder legacy. Garrett grew up in the Dallas area, where Basketball Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki played his entire career. In 2011, Nowitzki led the Dallas Mavericks to their first and only NBA title.

Garrett can't think of a sports legacy any better.

"I'm not judging or trying to demean anyone else on their journeys. But for me, being with the team that drafted you your entire career and winning a championship with them is the most special thing you can do in your career," he said. "That's why I'm always going to be committed to this city. As long as they have me, I'm going to be here trying to do my best to elevate this team, elevate this community, this city. ... and bring it all home."

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How DeMeco Ryans' energy helped lead Texans to playoffs
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C.J. Stroud joins "The Pat McAfee Show" ahead of the Texans' wild-card matchup with the Browns. (1:27)

DJ Bien-Aime, ESPN
Jan 12, 2024, 06:00 AM ET
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HOUSTON -- Brevin Jordan jogged off the field in frustration.

The Houston Texans tight end had just run the wrong route, and when he reached the sidelines, he screamed. The echoing expletive was loud enough to catch coach DeMeco Ryans' attention.

"DeMeco turned around and was like, 'Next play. It's over with. We're coming right back to you,'" Jordan told ESPN.

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During the following series, offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik called the same play. This time, Jordan ran the correct route and quarterback C.J. Stroud found him as he bolted into the end zone untouched to put the Texans up 10-0 against the Tennessee Titans.

"For me, I don't know if coaches understand how much that means to a player. To hear that, [it shows] my coach trusts me. He's done that multiple times with me," Jordan said. "He goes out of his way to talk to us to build our confidence. Dudes need that. When you hear that from the head man, you're like, 'Man, I'm about to go bust these boys ass.'"

The first-year coach created a leadership council -- led by Stroud, running back Devin Singletary, wide receiver Robert Woods and others -- to keep a pulse on the team and make weekly adjustments.

The changes come in all forms. It could be as easy as fixing the showerheads in the locker room because the water pressure was too intense. The council brought this concern to Ryans, and he took care of it, proving to the players he's listening.

"It might seem small, but that's just the type of guy he is," Singletary told ESPN.

From the beginning, Ryans made it clear his coaching style would be engulfed with positivity. That approach is why the Texans (10-7) are AFC South champs for the first time since 2019 and hosting a playoff game against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday (4:30 p.m. ET, NBC) at NRG Stadium. He is the 27th first-year coach to win their division since the 1970 merger.

Eric Christian Smith/AP
That moment of affirmation from Ryans to Jordan has been a common occurrence.

"I told the guys they were going to be treated like men. We're going to be respectful as a coaching staff," Ryans, a 39-year-old former linebacker, told ESPN. "We're going to tell you the truth, and everything we do is going to be positive. It's going to be positive reinforcement and positive feedback. I let them know that. I don't want my coaching staff cussing out players or demeaning players because that isn't helpful."

RYANS' COACHING STYLE has captured buy-in from his team.

The defense improved from the 27th-ranked scoring defense (24.7 points) last season to 11th (20.8). He helped improve a run defense that allowed the sixth-most total rushing yards (2,894) in history in 2022 to having the sixth-best run defense, allowing 1,643 yards in 2023, and the second-fewest yards per rush (3.5).

In addition, Ryans built a staff to develop his rookie quarterback, who finished the season with 4,108 passing yards -- the third most for a rookie behind Andrew Luck (4,374 in 2012) and Justin Herbert (4,336 in 2020). Stroud's six 300-yard passing games were tied with Luck and two behind Herbert for the most all time by a rookie, and he became the first rookie to lead the NFL in touchdown-to-interception ratio (23:5).

Ryans' infectious energy permeates the organization, giving it belief that Houston can avenge a Week 16 loss to the Browns (11-6) -- this time in the wild-card round of the playoffs -- with the season on the line.

"The energy that I feel from our team right now. Everybody's calm. Everybody's confident. Everybody has positive energy," Ryans said. "Our team is together. And I was hoping we could get to [this] because I know when you get a tight team like this, you get the best team. You see the smiles. The guys enjoy working with each other. That's what I was searching for. That's what I was trying to instill, and it's here now."

Two weeks prior to the Browns game, the Texans could have folded. They were 7-6 coming off a loss in which Stroud was knocked out of the game in the fourth quarter with a concussion. The concussion would keep Stroud out of the Browns game and that Week 15 matchup with the Titans, leaving Ryans with a decision to make on who would start at quarterback -- Davis Mills or Case Keenum.

2023 NFL Playoffs

Many assumed Mills would get the nod, but Ryans was coy all week, saying, "Davis has done a good job with everything that we've asked him to do."

But behind closed doors, Ryans was leaning toward starting Keenum -- who hadn't started a game since 2021. Ryans demanded that his team keep the information inside the building to gain a competitive advantage.

"I want you to know at the last possible second," Ryans said, "so you're not strategizing to practice for Case Keenum and then go back and look at all his film. No, that's going to be at the last minute. ... So, for me, keep it as tight as possible to [help us] get the win."

The news that Keenum would start broke Saturday morning, but it still left Tennessee with little time to game-plan.

The Texans defeated the Titans, 19-16, as Keenum threw for 226 yards with a pick-six but tossed the game-tying touchdown to wide receiver Noah Brown to send it into overtime. He led the game-winning drive in the extra period highlighted by a 41-yard completion to Singletary.

"It's competition. It's strategy," Ryans said. "For me, when it comes to who's available, what are we doing, why do we do this? I don't feel like you should give the opponent anything. They're searching all the interviews. ... I just like to keep everything tight and keep everything in-house. And let's just go out and do our thing. I was never in the mindset that you got to do all this talking about what you're going to do. Just show up."

RYANS WAS MAKING calls and connecting with his players and the rest of the Texans' organization after he took over in late January.

Fast forward to the days shortly after Houston made Stroud the No. 2 overall pick, Ryans met with his future face of the franchise in his office. The coach, as he has been able to do with many of his players, was able to connect with Stroud through faith.

"It was just about staying steadfast and just staying on your course," Stroud said. "And it just resonated with what I was going through at the time, so it was just cool to see a coach open up about his faith, you know, and not shy away from it. It was cool to bond over that."

Throughout the season, Ryans also provided a comforting space for wide receiver John Metchie III.

Welcome to the NFL offseason

• Team-by-team offseason guide (ESPN+)
• Tracking coach openings, hirings
• NFL draft order: Top 18 picks set
• Ranking top 25 free agents (ESPN+)

Metchie made his NFL debut this season in Week 2, but he had an uphill battle to get there. Metchie heard his name called in late April during the second round of the 2022 draft, but come July, he was diagnosed with leukemia, causing him to miss his entire rookie season which he said led to "a lot of frustration."

As a decorated college player coming out of Alabama, he found himself dwelling on his lack of production this season. It simply wasn't something to which he was accustomed.

"DeMeco being open with me and talking to me and showing me how to take things step-by-step, day by day and things like that, that's something I needed to hear in times like that.

"It's been great having DeMeco, especially in my process."

Personal connections were one thing, instilling a winning culture similar to the one he learned in his six-year stint with the San Francisco 49ers in various coaching roles was another. He poured that teaching into the Texans, who went 11-38-1 from 2020 to 2022 when they fired three coaches in a row: Bill O'Brien, David Culley and Lovie Smith.

Ryans' daily message centered on consistency and improving on the little things, as he held everyone accountable and wouldn't play favorites. Even Stroud.

But it's all strategic.

Houston coach DeMeco Ryans and the Texans are set to host Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski and the Browns on Saturday in the wild-card round of the playoffs. Tim Warner/Getty Images
During OTAs Stroud missed a read, and it was something Ryans pointed out during a team meeting. The next day Stroud adjusted, and when the play was called, he threw a touchdown.

"He's not trying to embarrass nobody," safety Jalen Pitre said. "He understands the end goal and that we're all trying to do this together. Nobody is intentionally out there just messing stuff up.

"He's going to make sure that he lets you know that you did wrong and makes you understand how to fix it. But it's no belittling or anything like that. You can do nothing but respect that and just try to get better."

Ryans is relatable, but he's not a pushover -- with one player calling those long summer days the "hardest training camp of my life." He also made his players earn their spots.

Stroud competed with Mills throughout camp to be the starting quarterback. The competition went through training camp and extended until the former Ohio State standout was named the starter after the final preseason game.

These principles of accountability, focusing on the small details to improve, not playing favorites, daily consistency and positive reinforcement factored in helping the Texans dig out of an 0-2 hole to start the season, where they were outscored 56-29.

There were times throughout the season when he saw the team failing to execute in practice. He would make them repeat plays until they got it right, and sometimes that would extend to the next day.

"Some people will say, 'We'll get it later.' But [Ryans] is coming back right at the end of the practice, letting us know that's not good enough," Singletary said. "Letting us know we got to get on that now and don't let it linger 'til game day."

ALL OF THESE things are testaments and examples of what Ryans has brought, but defensive end Jerry Hughes, who was a part of last season's team that went 3-13-1, made it all sound so simple: "We got a head coach."

"You got somebody that's invested in the team and the organization and somebody who wants to win," Hughes said. "He's always got a smile, always wanting to teach guys."

One of Ryans' most recent motivation tactics came the Wednesday before their Week 18 win over the Indianapolis Colts that clinched the division and punched their ticket into the playoffs.

The magnitude of the game was great, so he summoned rap mogul 50 Cent to speak to the team on Zoom.

"I ain't gonna lie, that was hard. I ain't never seen 50 in person," Texans leading receiver Nico Collins said. "That was cool to see. He had a great message for us, and [we] took that and built on it. That was big time."

Four quarters later, the Texans came out on top, 23-17. They finished the season 7-3 in one-score games, and only the Pittsburgh Steelers (nine) and Philadelphia Eagles (eight) had more wins in close games.

A loss would have ended the season. A loss would have meant all of the momentum Ryans created in a year's span would have left them in the same position they'd been in for the past three seasons -- out of the playoffs.

Instead, his first visit to Lucas Oil Stadium as the head coach of Houston, an organization that he starred for as a player from 2006 to 2011, resulted in a high.

"For us to accomplish what we set out to accomplish, of getting that spot in the playoffs, I know what it meant to each and every one of our players, each and every one of our support staff," Ryans said. "It meant a lot to everyone in our entire organization."

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The 2023 NFL playoffs, as explained by Usher's catalog
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Stephen A. Smith thinks this could be the Cowboys' best chance at winning the Super Bowl. (1:19)

Kalan Hooks, ESPN
Jan 13, 2024, 08:20 AM ET
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The NFL playoffs kick off this weekend as 14 teams embark on their journey to fulfill every squad's dream -- playing in the Super Bowl.