The wait is over. The Cowboys travel to Cleveland on Saturday to prepare for their Week 1 matchup with the Browns on Sunday.
It will be a duel between the Cowboys, the NFL’s best scorers last year, who averaged 29.9 points per game, and the Browns, the league’s best defense, who allowed just over 270 yards per game.
A strong offense versus a strong defense is exciting enough. Add in the stat that Cleveland won 8-1 at home last year and the game becomes even tougher for the Cowboys. Here’s what the editors had to say about Sunday’s game against the Browns.
Nick Eatman: It worries me a little when everyone seems to have the same opinion that this game will be a close, low-scoring affair. That’s exactly the case when it’s 41-38 — or better yet, something like 48-39 like the last time these two teams met in 2020. But it feels different than a shootout game this year. I think both defenses are much better, and I think the team that makes the big play in the second half will come out on top. I see a somewhat sloppy first half with each team having turnovers and mistakes. But give me Brandin Cooks making a big play later in the game to set up a touchdown that helps the Cowboys outlast the Browns. I have two sacks for Micah Parsons, who I think will give the Browns O-line more problems than Myles Garrett did against the Cowboys. I have Dallas 20-13.
Nick Harris: I expect this game to be won or lost in the trenches, as Dallas will be fielding two rookie offensive linemen against one of the most experienced defensive fronts in the league, and Dallas’ defensive line will look to take advantage of the Browns’ weakened offensive front. I believe this will be a hard-fought, crushing, drawn-out game with the stronger defense coming out on top. I give it to Dallas, 17-13.
Kyle Youmans: Dallas won’t have to wait long to face a team that challenges them in every facet of their game. Cleveland had the best pass defense in football last year and faced Dallas’ best passing attack. The Browns have emphasized running the ball in recent years against a Cowboys team that has struggled to stop the run. There are many factors and matchups that can affect the game, but I believe only one will make the difference: turnover differential. Cleveland lost the ball at a league-high rate last year, while Dallas has led the league in turnovers over the past few seasons. Although both units have new coordinators this year, I still believe there are basic tendencies that remain. Because of this, Dallas secures a few extra possessions that prove crucial in a combative, defensive ball game. The Cowboys win 20-17.
Mickey Spagnola: I think many skeptics will be surprised at how effective Ezekiel Elliott is at running the ball, even against Cleveland’s stout defense that ranked first in total defense last season. If that offensive line can hold its own, as the Cowboys start two rookies in an opening game for the first time since 2011, Zeke has shown signs of a spring in his step. So if Zeke and a combination of Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn and Hunter Luepke can keep this Browns defense on its toes, the Cowboys should score enough points to outrun the Browns’ questionable offense and pull out a 23-20 victory.
Patrick Walker: First, let me state the obvious, and with a pun attached: This is going to be a fierce battle. The Browns have one of the best defenses in the league and, even without Nick Chubb, an arsenal of weapons on offense — led by ex-Cowboys wideout Amari Cooper — as well as a mobile quarterback. Now, let me note a few things aside from Chubb being out. Deshaun Watson is in his first game back from his season-ending shoulder surgery, so I expect rust and, in addition to that, he’ll be extremely panicked if he takes a few early sacks/hits; and the hits will definitely come with starting left tackle Jerrick Willis out (and starting right tackle Jack Conklin questionable). Here’s how the Cowboys can take out Cooper, Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore: They need to keep hitting Watson. That includes having the speedy LB corps keep him in the pocket to take the hits. Offensively, Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle will surprise people behind this newly formed offensive line as they free up the passing game for Dak Prescott. It was close for three quarters, but not in the fourth. The Cowboys win 28-17.
