NFL
By: Greg Rector
The Dallas Cowboys visit the Cleveland Browns, and all the contract talk between the Jones family and the agent representing Dak Prescott doesn’t matter much at this time of the year.
Here’s how I see week one for the Dallas Cowboys against the Cleveland Browns.
Dallas Cowboys Offense Versus Cleveland Browns Defense
I’m not too fond of this week’s one-game as we have not seen anyone playing in the pre-season outside of the rookies for both teams. After last season’s humiliating loss to the Green Bay Packers, I was none too pleased, as was most of Cowboys Nation.
While Ceedee Lamb lit up the NFL with 135 catches, over 1700 yards, and 12 TDs, how much can we trust Lamb in week one after his extended absence, thanks to his contract taking so long to finish? I sincerely believe that week one will see the Dallas Cowboys facing one of the best defenses in the NFL. Despite the tremendous last season between Prescott and Lamb, I don’t see them lighting up the Browns’ secondary. Denzel Ward might or may not play after he received his fifth concussion at practice on August 12th. Greg Newsome, however, will be playing, making the task much more problematic for Lamb.
Let’s get to the real key, though. Tyler Guyton is staring at the left tackle, and he gets to face Myles Garrett. It’s no easy task for experienced tackles, let alone a rookie. Guyton has made a vast progression from his draft day until now, but dealing with Garrett is like coping with Godzilla. If Guyton struggles against Garrett, then Jake Ferguson and the running backs will also need to assist Guyton in keeping him away from Dak Prescott.
The next rookie to start at center is Cooper Beebe, who took the job away from Brook Hoffman in the last two weeks of training camp. Beebe played beautifully, especially when he faced the Las Vegas Raiders starters in the second preseason game. If Beebe can handle the Browns’ defensive tackles that same way, the Dallas Cowboys might have one of the best interior offensive lines. With Tyler Smith and Zach Martin both being outstanding guards, the Dallas Cowboys might find their weakest part of the roster, the running back room, see some success.
I don’t count the running game as a critical cog for the Dallas Cowboys. Ezekiel Elliott (29), Rico Dowdle, Dalvin Cook (29), and Deuce Vaughn must find the holes created by the offensive line, and if they don’t, the Dallas Cowboys will be in for a long game against the Cleveland Browns. It will be interesting to see how head coach Mike McCarthy uses his running backs.
As for the rest of the receivers, Brandin Cooks and Jalen Tolbert need to step in during week one, especially with Ceedee Lamb likely not ready to play every snap. Ryan Flournoy, the rookie wide receiver from Southeast Missouri State, was quickly the best receiver in the preseason games, but he will still have to prove himself when facing factual NFL defenses.
Dallas Cowboys Defense Versus Cleveland Browns Offense
With Daron Bland missing from the cornerback room, the next man up is rookie Caelen Carson from Wake Forest, and of course, we see the return of Trevon Diggs, who is returning after an ACL injury. Now, I warned all off-season that Diggs might not be as capable as before his injury. Everything I have heard, though, seems like Diggs has looked solid, but playing against NFL wide receivers will test his recovery.
Despite not facing Nick Chubb in this game, the Cleveland Browns still have a running back to deal with for the bane of my existence: the lack of the Dallas Cowboys’ ability to stop the running game. Jerome Ford can hurt the Cowboys, making life much easier for Deshaun Watson. I said on the TeamNBSMedia YouTube show when discussing the Cleveland Browns that I don’t trust Deshaun Watson. I still don’t trust that he can return to his form after missing three NFL seasons.
Amari Cooper can light up the Dallas Cowboys, especially facing Carson. Then, the newly acquired Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore, and tight end David Njoku can make life difficult for the linebackers and the safety group. Now, don’t get me wrong, I still believe the four safeties, Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson, Marquese Bell, and Juanyeh Thomas, might be one of the best groups in the NFL.
Mike Zimmer debuts as the defensive coordinator, but in week one, I will not say anything about the defense except I hope they play much better than they did against the Green Bay Packers and that Micah Parsons gets more than two tackles in this game.
Dallas Cowboys Versus Cleveland Browns Prediction
As I wrote in my season preview article, I see the Dallas Cowboys losing this road game 24-20. There are too many question marks for me to say anything else. I hope I am wrong, but I don’t see how this team answers the bell, especially the offense facing the Cleveland Browns vaunted defense.
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