NFL Stats Leader 2021: Who has the most sacks heading into Week 8?

Getting sacks is as important as finding a good quarterback. Rushing the quarterback can be one of the most beneficial aspects of any defensive strategy in football. Should an edge-setting defensive end or linebacker be able to effectively fluster a passer, a mistake might follow.

Through seven weeks of games, these sack monsters have found their way to terrorize opposing quarterbacks.

Here's a look at the sack leaders heading into Week 8.

Current top five sack leaders

#5 - Trey Hendrickson - 6.5 sacks

Trey Hendrickson has emerged as a solid quarterback rushing defensive standout. Week 2 was the only game in which Hendrickson didn't get a sack. Since then, Hendrickson has logged a minimum of one sack per game. Having a solid defense can change the entire makeup of a team. The Bengals are now 5-2 and sitting atop the AFC. Hendrickson playing the way he has is a big reason the Bengals are now one of the best teams in the entire conference.

The entire Bengals defense has turned into one of the fiercest units in the league. Allowing only 18.3 points per game and 339 yards per game, the Bengals are riding high with the play of players like Hendrickson.

#4 - Hasson Reddick - 6.5 sacks

Both Haason Reddick and Trey Hendrickson currently hold the 4th place tie with 6.5 sacks. The Panthers will now need Reddick to continue his pass-rushing ways should they pull themselves out of a losing tailspin. Sam Darnold being benched does not help this team, however, having a stalwart defensive player like Reddick does.

The Panthers are on a four-game losing skid and nearly got blanked by the previous 1-5 New York Giants. They will need to figure out a way to reboot their offense as their defense is still one of the stingiest in allowing yards and points per game.

Top 3 sack leaders heading into Week 8

Who are the top three sack leaders?

#3 - T.J. Watt - 7 sacks

The only reason T.J. Watt has dropped a spot in this week's sack-leading rankings is that the Steelers were on a bye week. Watt has been one of the brightest spots in a team that seems to be trying to find its identity. Watt's rushing antics have led to two big overtime turnovers. Watt should be even more terrorizing coming off of a week's rest.

The Steelers never really had to worry about their defensive output, with Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick holding down the fort on that side of the ball. Issues exist with old and ailing quarterback play. Watt may not be able to keep saving games the way he has for very much longer.

#2 - Harold Landry III - 7.5 sacks

Harold Landry has steadily moved his way up the sack rankings every single week. The Tennessee Titans have come alive due to Derrick Henry's rushing attack that just cannot be contained.

The same can be said about the defensive unit that has found its way to becoming a solid unit, led by the 7.5 sacks committed by Harold Landry. The Titans are now 5-2 and riding a three-game winning streak. Should Landry continue his dominant sack game, the Titans may be difficult to beat.

#1 - Myles Garrett - 9.5 sacks

The lone king at the top for two weeks in a row is Myles Garrett. His 9.5 sacks have led the league and his defensive production is all that seems to be holding the Cleveland Browns together. That and the rushing attack from Nick Chubb.

The rest of the Browns need to catch up to what Garrett can do week after week if they are to stay relevant in the AFC and the AFC North. With Baker Mayfield hurt, the Browns will need to find a way to keep winning games. Follow Garrett's lead. That should always be the game plan.