It’s America’s team versus the World’s team, that’s why I’m watching. Cleveland hosts Dallas at Huntington Bank Field, 4:25pm EST. The game is Fox’s national game of the week, and it will be Tom Brady’s debut in the booth. Last year the Cowboys finished 12-5, winning the NFC East. They lost to the Green Bay Packers in the Wildcard round, 48-32. The Browns finished 11-6 earning a wildcard berth. They then lost to the Houston Texans 45-14. Last year, the Browns were 8-1 at home and the Cowboys were 4-5.

Browns Offense vs. Cowboys Defense

The local and national media will be focused on starting quarterback Deshaun Watson, having played twelve games over the last two years. Add to that, the Browns have installed a new offense under the direction of new offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey. The primary focus should be on Cleveland’s offensive line. It appears right tackle Jack Conklin will be starting at left tackle and second year player Dawand Jones will be starting at right tackle. I don’t expect Conklin to play the entire game, he just started practicing at left tackle, so backup LT James Hudson will probably also play. For the Browns offense to be successful, Watson will have to get the ball out quickly and the running game will have to be successful. I expect quick slants, draw plays, screen passes and a lot of misdirection. The Cowboys defense has an impressive front six. They line all-pro Micah Parsons all over the field. DeMarcus Lawrence, Mazi Smith and Osa Odighizuwa complete the front four. Linebackers Damone Clark and Eric Kendricks are very good. Kendricks has recorded over 100 tackles each of the last eight years. Neither is good in coverage, so TE David Njoku should have a big day. Dallas’s secondary is their weakness. Allpro corner DaRon Bland will not play because of injury. In 2023 he had nine interceptions with five touchdowns. Their starting corners will probably be Trevon Diggs, who only played two games last year and rookie Caelen Carson. At safety they have Malik Hooker (allowed a QBR of 118 when targeted in 2023) and Donovan Wilson (allowed a 70% completion rate and a QBR of 106 when targeted in 2023). If the Browns can get wide receiver Amari Cooper or Jerry Judey on Carson, it will be a long day for Dallas.

Browns Defense vs. Cowboys Offense

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott has three primary weapons. WR CeeDee Lamb is one of the best receivers in the league (135 receptions, 1749 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023) He lines up in the slot more than he does on the outside (542 to 455). Wide receiver number two is Brandin Cooks (54 receptions, 657 yards and 8 touchdowns), but the real number two receiver is tight end Jake Ferguson (71 receptions, 761 yards and five touchdowns). At running back, the Cowboys are expected to start Rico Dowdle 89 carries, 361 yards and 2 touchdowns). Dallas’s weakness is their offense line, primarily the two tackles and the center. Rookies Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe will start at left tackle and center. Their right tackle, Terence Steele, gave up eight sacks and 54 pressures in 2023. Prescott is one of the best quarterback when throwing the ball twenty plus yards (1024 yards, 10 touchdowns and a QBR of 128) the Browns will need to pressure, but not blitz Prescott. Longer pass plays take longer to develop. The Browns might be tempted to put cornerback Denzel Ward on Lamb, but I would put Ward on Cooks and double Lamb with a corner and a safety. As for Ferguson, a combination of Grant Delpit and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah would work. The Browns will have to stop the run and focus on pressuring Prescott, getting the Cowboys in long third downs. Turnovers will be the key to the game. Dallas has been a plus ten in turnover ratio the last three years. To win the Browns must improve their turnover ratio (-9) and their red zone defense (72.4%, last in the league).