Football fans are accusing Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow of pulling off a Brett Favre-like move in Sunday’s season finale against the Cleveland Browns.
With just over five minutes remaining in their Week 18 clash, Myles Garrett sacked Joe Burrow to set the new single-season sacks record with 23. Garrett breaks the record previously shared by Michael Strahan and TJ Watt (22.5).
Here’s the play:
Joe Burrow just pulled a Brett Farve and laid down for a division rival to get a sack record.
This is just absolutely disgusting. pic.twitter.com/JoMUegVhsx
— Howard Betta (@Gaige_returns) January 4, 2026
Before we go on, some context: Strahan sacked Favre in the 2001 regular-season finale to set the new record. That said, it’s rather evident that Favre went down on purpose to let Strahan set the record. Fans think Joe Burrow did the same thing to help Myles Garrett.
January 6, 2002: Michael Strahan breaks the single-season sack record after “sacking” Brett Favre for his 22.5 sack on the season.
pic.twitter.com/YwYDvOnib2— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) January 7, 2024
And then, in late 2024, a clip surfaced of New York Jets legend Mark Gastineau confronting Favre. Gastineau accused Favre of going down on purpose to let Strahan break the record he had set in 1984 (22 sacks).
“Michael Strahan the next time he sees Joe Burrow,” a fan wrote with a video of the confrontation between Favre and Gastineau.
Michael Strahan the next time he sees Joe Burrow
pic.twitter.com/T5OBEkMYNx— Ryan Sura (@RyanSura18) January 4, 2026
“Bro that’s exactly what I thought I’m crying,” a fan added.
Bro that’s exactly what I thought I’m crying
— SOUL BOY. (@MarkisApollo) January 4, 2026
“Did Joe Burrow just Brett Favre?? another asked.
Did Joe Burrow just Brett Favre?? pic.twitter.com/La8qatG6mu
— Krutches (@McDonaldsXBT) January 4, 2026
“Burrow went full Favre here,” said a fan.
Burrow went full Favre here.pic.twitter.com/JdyCXyVs1z
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) January 4, 2026
“This is more egregious than the gift Brett Favre gave Michael Strahan,” wrote a user.
This is more egregious than the gift Brett Favre gave Michael Strahan.
Given time and score, it’s curious why Burrow put a bow on this for Myles, but he certainly did 🤔.
— Marc Ryan (@MarcRyanOnAir) January 4, 2026
“Joe Burrow out here being a modern day Brett Favre….,” said a fan.
Joe Burrow out here being a modern day Brett Favre….
Talk about a gift.
— Gary Baumgarten (@TheNotoriousGPB) January 4, 2026
There are no asterisks in the NFL record books, however. Whether Burrow went down on purpose or not is up for debate. However, the record is now all Garrett’s.