There were so many question marks surrounding the Dallas Cowboys heading into their season opener at the Cleveland Browns. How would coordinator Mike Zimmer’s new defense come together? Would CeeDee Lamb be ready after sitting out all of training camp? How would the rookies on the offensive line fare? Could Dak Prescott and the starters hit the ground running after not playing a single snap in the preseason?
So much for that. The Cowboys not only gave it their all in a 33-17 win in Cleveland, they did so convincingly and were able to withstand the physicality of the Browns step for step.
Prescott had just finished his new contract and went straight to work. He threw for 179 yards, had one touchdown and no interceptions, and posted a passer rating of 85.3. Eight different players caught balls, and Lamb showed no signs of a slow start. He finished the game with five catches and 61 receiving yards, the most of the game.
But the way Zimmer’s defense played, the Cowboys’ offense didn’t have much to worry about. The unit held Browns quarterback DeShaun Watson to 169 passing yards, one score and two interceptions for a 51.1 rating and sacked him six times. Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence led the effort, both wreaking havoc on Cleveland’s banged-up offensive line.
And welcome to Dallas, Eric Kendricks. In his debut with the team, the linebacker tied for the club lead with 10 tackles, recorded his first interception since the 2021 season and had two sacks, his first multi-sack performance since the 2016 season.
Even special teams were in action, as coordinator John Fassel’s group scored 18 points on the day. Brandon Aubrey picked up right where he left off, converting all four of his field goal attempts.
The Cowboys didn’t quite get off to the start they wanted, but the feeling didn’t last long. Bryan Anger was forced to punt on the team’s first possession, and the ensuing return was returned 28 yards by the Browns to the Dallas 46. The Cowboys’ defense kept the damage to a minimum, however, and Cleveland had to settle for a 51-yard field goal that gave them an early 3-0 lead.
No worries, Prescott and the offense got rolling on their next series. The quarterback threw a great 34-yard pass down the right sideline to Lamb, and three snaps later he beat the Cleveland Blitz with a 21-yard pass to a completely alone Brandin Cooks in the end zone for the touchdown.
After both sides exchanged a few punts, the Cowboys won their second series of the second half, marching 78 yards in 11 plays to claim the win. Ezekiel Elliott, who finished with 40 rushing yards on 10 carries, played a major role this time, contributing 24 yards on four touches, the last of which was a 3-yard run up the middle to the goal line.
Then, on Dallas’ next possession, Aubrey showed off his impressive leg. Remember, he was good on a 65-yard field goal in the preseason, so a 57-yard field goal was a no-brainer.
But the Cowboys weren’t done for halftime. On second-and-14 at its own 26-yard line, Cleveland’s Watson’s pass attempt was knocked into the air by Parsons, and Kendricks then intercepted the ball. That eventually led to another Aubrey field goal, this time from 40 yards.
Still, Aubrey almost got another chance. With four seconds left in the quarter, head coach Mike McCarthy sent his kicker out to attempt a record-breaking 66-yard field goal. And Aubrey was successful on his attempt, but a delay of game penalty was assessed just before the snap.
Dallas considered giving him a chance for a 65-yard field goal, but then changed their minds and the Cowboys went into the break with a 20-3 lead.
In the first half alone, the Cowboys managed to outgain their hosts by 216 yards to just 54.
The Cowboys, already leading by 17 points, refused to be shaken. After the defense forced a quick three-and-out, KaVontae Turpin intercepted the Browns’ punt at his own 40-yard line. He then darted up the middle, cut to the right sideline, got the necessary blocks and ran the entire way for a 60-yard touchdown, the first punt return score of his career. It was also the first punt return touchdown for the Cowboys since the 2017 season.
Cleveland finally showed signs of life on its next series, going 75 yards in 12 plays to score. Watson completed 6 of 10 passes for 71 yards, the last of which was a 6-yard dart to Jerry Jeudy just inside the right pylon to narrow the deficit slightly to 27-10.
But when linebacker DeMarvion Overshown shot out of the blue and Watson sacked on fourth and sixth at the Browns’ 49-yard line, Dallas was back in enemy territory. Prescott and Co. couldn’t do much, but it was enough for Aubrey, who increased the score to 30-10 with a 50-yard field goal.
Even though there was still a quarter to play, the game was essentially already decided. That meant the Browns were forced to try again on fourth down deep in their own territory. That meant the offense was back in top position when the Dallas defense stopped them. That meant Aubrey would come out for another field goal, this time from 46 yards.
So why not bring Trevon Diggs into the game too? Cleveland had moved back into Dallas territory, but in his first game back from the 2023 injury layoff, the Pro Bowl cornerback caught a deflected pass that led to an interception.
But the Cowboys were content to run out the clock, and they eventually did. The Browns scored a 4-yard touchdown in the final seconds, but it was far too little, far too late, and Dallas took a 33-17 victory.
The Cowboys now return to AT&T Stadium to host the New Orleans Saints in their first home game of 2024 next weekend at noon.
