The Cowboys head to Cleveland to take on the Browns in a cross-conference Week 1 clash. Here is how to bet on the game at DraftKings Sportsbook.
Cowboys (+2.5) vs. Browns o/u 41
Cowboys Team Breakdown
The Cowboys had another disappointing postseason exit last season despite having the #1 scoring offense in the NFL. This offseason, the Cowboys downgraded across the board on offense, other than at quarterback. They lost Tony Pollard at running back, Michael Gallup at wide receiver and Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz on the offensive line. Particularly on the offensive line, these are huge losses for the Cowboys, who have had an elite offensive line over the past few seasons, and they will not be starting rookies at left tackle and center.
At the skill positions, it will not be easier for teams to sell out to take away CeeDee Lamb and make other receivers beat them without Gallup. Ezekiel Elliott has returned to Dallas as the starting running back, but he is getting old for a running back. Rico Dowdle will back up Elliott and be used in passing situations where he has shown potential, but this will be a lot more responsibility than Dowdle has seen in his career so far.
Defensively, the Cowboys still have a dangerous pass rush led by elite EDGE Micah Parsons. However, they could have some vulnerability in the secondary as they will be starting 2024 fifth-round pick Caelen Carson. That is a big contrast to veteran CB Stephon Gilmore, who held that role last season. Mike Zimmer has taken over as defensive coordinator for the Cowboys and will try to maintain what was a really solid defense last season with some new personnel.
Browns Team Breakdown
After missing most of last season, Deshaun Watson is back at quarterback for the Browns. However, they will be without star RB Nick Chubb for the first few weeks of the season. In the meantime, Jerome Ford will be filling in as the main back, who has done a really good job filling in for Chubb in the past. At wide receiver, the Browns added Jerry Jeudy to go along with Elijah Moore and Amari Cooper. With their offensive line healthy to start the season, they should have one of the best units in the league.
This Browns defense is elite. Myles Garrett leads a formidable pass rush, and Denzel Ward leads a really good secondary. It is hard to do much of anything against this Browns’ defense, as they are great against the rush and the pass. This group led the NFL in total defense last season and finished second in defensive DVOA. If they get more consistent play out of their offense this season, it will help out their scoring numbers tremendously.
This team will likely go as far as the quarterback position can take them. After Deshaun Watson went down, Joe Flacco had a great run for Cleveland to get them to the postseason but was no match for CJ Stroud. Cleveland reporters’ reports are not great about how Watson has played this offseason, so he could be on a short leash with Jameis Winston in the backup role this season.
Pick and Prediction
The Browns’ defense will be among the league’s best once again, and it could be tough for the Cowboys to get going in their first game of the season. It is always tough to play in Cleveland, and there is a chance of swirling winds that make it much harder to throw the ball, which the Cowboys want to do. The Browns also have the personnel to limit CeeDee Lamb, which most teams in the NFL cannot say. Myles Garrett should also get after the rookie left tackle making his first NFL start for the Cowboys.
Offensively, the Browns could struggle to get going as well. Watson could be rusty, and this Cowboys pass rush will not make it any easier for him. The Cowboys have a solid run defense, and the Browns’ rushing attack is not the same without Nick Chubb. Overall, this game should be pretty low-scoring and should be very close down to the end. In my Bengals-Patriots preview, I am betting a two-team 6-point teaser with the Bengals down to -2.5 and the Cowboys up to +8.5. I am also betting on the under in this game, which should be a defensive slugfest.
Best Bet: Cowboys-Browns u41, Bengals -2.5/Cowboys +8.5 6-Point Teaser (-120)
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