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Chiefs Face Record-Breaking Myles Garrett in 2026

By Sports Desk · 2026-09-11 · 2 min read
A football helmet resting on green grass
Illustration: Tradingbird

The league's top-ranked defender stands between the Chiefs and a win in a high-stakes Thursday night clash.

The turf at SoFi Stadium is still cool under the stadium lights as the 2026 season tightens its grip. The Kansas City Chiefs are not just facing another opponent; they are stepping into the path of the NFL’s most dominant force. In Week 13, on December 3, the Chiefs will travel to Los Angeles to meet Myles Garrett, the defensive lineman who has carved himself into the history books.

Garrett holds the crown as the number one player on the annual NFL Top 100 list. This ranking, voted exclusively by current league players, places the Rams star at the summit of the sport. It is a stark reality for Kansas City: their path to a deep playoff run intersects directly with the man who broke the single-season sack record. The air in Los Angeles will be thick with expectation when these two teams collide.

A Historic Season of Dominance

Garrett’s 2025 campaign with the Cleveland Browns was nothing short of a masterclass in disruption. He started all 17 games, leaving a trail of 23 sacks that shattered the previous single-season record. His 33 tackles for loss stand as the second-highest total in NFL history, a testament to his relentless pressure. The physical toll of his performance is evident in the scars on his jersey, a badge of honor earned through sheer force.

The accolades followed in a landslide. First-team All-Pro honors, a seventh Pro Bowl selection, and the Defensive Player of the Year award all landed on his desk. He and J. J. Watt are the only two players in league history to win that specific honor unanimously. There was no debate, no split vote. The consensus was as solid as the concrete foundation of the stadiums he has dominated.

Thursday Night Showdown Looms

The stage for this confrontation is set for December 3, a Thursday night under the open sky of SoFi Stadium. The Rams will host the Chiefs in a matchup that promises to be a tactical war of attrition. The Chiefs, known for their offensive firepower, will have to navigate the gauntlet created by Garrett’s speed and strength. The crowd will be electric, the noise a physical weight in the air.

This game is more than a regular-season fixture. It is a test of mettle for the Chiefs’ offensive line against the league’s premier pass rusher. The stakes are high, and the spotlight is unforgiving. Every snap will be scrutinized, every block judged against the backdrop of Garrett’s legendary status. The outcome could define the trajectory for both franchises.

Voted by the Peers

The NFL Top 100 list is not a media invention. It is a peer review, a judgment passed by the players themselves. Produced by NFL Films and the X Original Series, the new season of the ranking reveals the league's elite through short-form episodes. These segments debut on X on weekdays, offering a glimpse into the minds of the athletes who shape the game.

As reported by Yahoo Sports, this tradition highlights the depth of talent across the league. While several Chiefs are expected to make the cut, the presence of Garrett at number one underscores the challenge ahead. The list serves as a map of power, and for the Chiefs, the most dangerous territory lies in Los Angeles. The season will unfold, but this particular clash will remain etched in memory.

Based on reporting by Yahoo Sports, compiled by the Tradingbird desk.

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