The Dallas Cowboys (0-0) are set to kick off their season with a matchup against the Cleveland Browns (0-0) on Sunday afternoon. This exciting game will take place at Huntington Bank Field, starting at 4:25 PM ET.
The Cowboys concluded the 2023 season with a solid 12-5 record, claiming the NFC East title, but faced an early playoff exit at the hands of the Green Bay Packers in the Wildcard round. Meanwhile, the Browns wrapped up their season with an 11-6 record, finishing second in the AFC North, only to be eliminated by the Houston Texans in the same round.
Historically, Dallas has a favorable record against Cleveland, boasting 6 wins out of their last 9 encounters.
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Dallas Aiming for a Strong Start to Defend NFC East Title
The Cowboys finished the 2023 season tied for the second-best record in the league alongside San Francisco and Detroit. However, another early playoff exit prompted owner Jerry Jones to declare a commitment to enhancing the team during the offseason.
Despite this assertion, the Cowboys had a relatively quiet offseason. They lost their leading rusher, Tony Pollard, and opted to re-sign Ezekiel Elliott, who spent the previous season with the New England Patriots after being released by Dallas. Royce Freeman was also brought in to add depth to the running back position.
While the Cowboys managed to retain their top receiver, CeeDee Lamb, who missed most of training camp, they have yet to renegotiate quarterback Dak Prescott’s contract as of now.
In the previous season, Dallas was an offensive powerhouse, averaging 29.9 points per game, the highest in the league. They excelled in both passing and rushing, with Prescott completing 70 percent of his passes for 4,516 yards, alongside 36 touchdowns and just nine interceptions. Pollard contributed with 1,005 rushing yards and six touchdowns, while Lamb had an impressive season with 135 catches for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Defensively, Dallas was also strong, allowing only 18.5 points per game, ranking them fifth in the league. To bolster their defense, they signed Eric Kendricks to fill the gap left by Leighton Vander Esch’s retirement due to injury.
Wide receiver John Stephens Jr. (hamstring) is currently questionable for this game.
Cleveland Optimistic About Watson’s Return for a Playoff Push
The Browns displayed resilience last season, achieving 11 wins despite numerous injuries. They lost their leading rusher, Nick Chubb, early on and faced a carousel of quarterbacks, including Joe Flacco, who helped guide them to the playoffs.
With Chubb set to miss the first four games this season, the Browns are hopeful that a fully healthy Deshaun Watson can lead the team to a deep playoff run.
In a strategic move, the Browns chose not to re-sign Flacco and instead brought in Jameis Winston from the New Orleans Saints to back up Watson. Tyler Huntley, formerly of the Baltimore Ravens, joins as the third-string quarterback.
To address the running back position with Chubb sidelined, Cleveland added D’Onta Foreman and Nyheim Hines, along with Jerome Ford, who stepped in during Chubb’s absence last season. They opted not to retain Kareem Hunt, who had 411 rushing yards and nine touchdowns last year.
Cleveland’s offense averaged 23.3 points per game last season, ranking 10th in the league. They managed 217.2 passing yards and 118.6 rushing yards per game. Flacco led the team in passing, completing 60.3 percent of his attempts for 1,616 yards, 13 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Ford was the leading rusher with 813 yards and four touchdowns, while Amari Cooper recorded 72 catches for 1,250 yards and five touchdowns.
Defensively, Cleveland allowed 21.3 points per game, placing them 13th in the league. They retained most of their defensive talent and are looking to improve this season.
Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (knee) and wide receiver David Bell (quad) are both questionable for this matchup.
Key Predictions for Dallas Cowboys vs. Cleveland Browns
The Cowboys boasted the league’s top offense last season, utilizing a well-rounded strategy that challenged opposing defenses. Following Pollard’s departure, Elliott’s performance last season raised concerns about his speed, which could affect their running game. The Browns, known for their strong home defense, limited opponents to fewer than 90 rushing yards per game last season, indicating a potential shift towards a more passing-focused approach for Dallas.
Cleveland’s defensive line, spearheaded by Myles Garrett, the Defensive Player of the Year with 14 sacks, proved formidable last season. With most of their defensive roster returning, they are expected to pressure Prescott and capitalize on his mistakes. Despite missing their top rusher, the Browns still managed a respectable ground game, ranking 12th in the league. They should find opportunities against a Dallas defense that struggled against the run, allowing over 130 rushing yards per game on the road and failing to make significant defensive upgrades in the offseason.
By establishing their running game, Cleveland can alleviate pressure on Watson, allowing him to connect on deeper passes against a Dallas secondary missing two key cornerbacks from last season. This could lead to a productive offensive outing for the Browns in this matchup.
Expect Cleveland to cover the spread.
