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Scouts Take: Cowboys at Browns
Updated: September 4, 2008, 1:28 PM ET
Scouts Inc. Position Advantage
QB RB REC OL DL LB DB ST COACHING EDGE
The Cowboys have their eyes set on the Super Bowl, while the Browns are a team on the rise hoping to make the postseason. On paper, these offensive attacks are similar with good young quarterbacks, Tony Romo and Derek Anderson, explosive No. 1 receivers, Terrell Owens and Braylon Edwards, dangerous tight ends, Jason Witten and Kellen Winslow, along with a power running game and excellent offensive lines. As a result, both defenses will have their hands full and each team's performance on special teams will go a long way in determining the outcome.
When Dallas has the ball
Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett has a blended offense consisting of a power running game that sets up the quick-strike passing game. Look for Garrett to rely on the running back duo of Barber and Felix Jones to run behind a big, physical offensive line that features three Pro Bowl linemen in C Andre Gurode, RG Leonard Davis and LT Flozell Adams. Owens will also be moved around in the formation to get better matchups for Witten when he's detached out in the formation.
Only two teams in the NFL allowed more yards per game than the Browns did a season ago, so they were desperate this offseason to make changes. The additions of NT Shaun Rogers, DE Corey Williams and defensive coordinator Mel Tucker will hopefully bolster a lackluster defense. Look for Tucker to continue to employ the 3-4 scheme that uses simple multiple fronts to control gaps and allow inside linebacker D'Qwell Jackson to play fast and aggressive. Also, expect the Browns to incorporate a few more eight-man fronts versus the Cowboys' standard personnel groupings. However, the key for the Browns will be their ability to cover up their weakness on the backend versus the Cowboys' multiple spread packages.
When Cleveland has the ball
Offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski's system thrives on constant shifts, formation changes to create mismatches and a power running game led by RB Jamal Lewis. C Hank Fraley must do a great job of controlling Cowboys NT Jay Ratliff, while using guard combination blocks to create spacing inside for Lewis.
Chudzinski will rely heavily on the Browns' two-back offense on early downs to get Anderson in more manageable second- and third-down situations. Anderson is a tall pocket-passer with a big-time arm that can attack all three levels in the passing game., but he must play with a lot of confidence when attacking the Cowboys' zone-pressure schemes and not make any game-changing mistakes in sub-passing situations.
Under head coach Wade Phillips and defensive coordinator Brian Stewart, the Cowboys play a one-gap scheme built on pressure within their 3-4 system. They have a very fast and aggressive front seven that will give the Browns' offensive line some problems within their blocking patterns. Look for the Cowboys to maximize their defensive personnel groupings to match up versus the Browns' multiple sets in passing situations.
Matchup To Watch
Dallas ROLB DeMarcus Ware vs. Cleveland LT Joe Thomas
This game is full of unique one-on-one matchups. However, this one features two of the best at their positions. Ware is a three-down player who is very athletic with a good combination of size and speed. He's very productive as a pass-rusher and very active versus the run. He is instinctive reacting to blocking patterns, diagnosing plays and has a very good knack of being around the ball. Ware can also convert speed to power quickly by using good arm extension and low pad level to create a push off the edge. When he uses counter moves, he has a burst off of his plant step and he changes direction quickly off his outside charge. Thomas had an outstanding rookie season and he is the prototype NFL left tackle. His size is outstanding, but his quickness and overall athletic ability really set him apart as a pass-blocker. He is equally effective against speed, technique or bull-rushing defensive ends. He is also nasty as a run blocker and very effective. This has all the makings of a great matchup on Sunday afternoon in Cleveland.
Dallas keys to success
Get get the running game going early: Barber emerged as a star last season due to his powerful-slashing style, Jones is viewed as a perfect change-of-pace back and their offensive line is big and powerful. But the key is Gurode, who must do a great job controlling the interior of the line of scrimmage -- especially Rogers. If the Cowboys can control the interior, then Barber will have enough spacing inside to gash the Browns' front seven and put a lot of pressure on the backend.
Pressure Anderson, especially on third down: Inside linebackers Zach Thomas and Bradie James must be disciplined in their gap responsibility when attacking downfield, while outside linebackers Ware and Greg Ellis must provide consistent pressure off the edge. While the linebackers are attacking, the Cowboys' secondary will have to take away Anderson's reliable targets, Edwards and Winslow, by bracketing both of them.
Attack Cleveland's young and inexperienced secondary: Both starting corners, Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald, are second-year players. Also, starting FS Brodney Pool missed a lot of time during the preseason due to a concussion and could be a game-time decision. Look for Romo to test this secondary early in the game, while attacking the third level off play-action. The Browns can ill-afford any explosive downfield plays that result in quick strikes, but the Cowboys' multiple-spread offense will be very hard for them to match up against.
Cleveland keys to success
Get Anderson going: Chudzinski needs to do a great job of getting Anderson into the flow of the offense early, especially because he did not get as much work in during the preseason as you would want due to a concussion he suffered in Week 2. One thing that was missing in last year's offense was the quick, underneath threat that gives any defense problems, but the addition of WR Donte' Stallworth should improve the Browns' ability to attack the second level. Stallworth needs to have a big day on Sunday due to the one-on-one matchups on the backend.
Pressure Romo: The Browns must find a way to pressure Romo and they are counting heavily on LBs Kamerion Wimbley, Alex Hall and Willie McGinest to create pressure off the edge. Wimbley is a fast, athletic pass-rusher with a tremendous upside, but only had five sacks in 2007. Adding Rogers should improve the interior push, which will allow either McGinest or Peek a lot of one-on-one situations. It's imperative that Rogers can become a very effective three-down player, unlike he was in Detroit. However, the Cowboys should be able to account for Rogers and Wimbley with their protection schemes.
Attack the weakest link: Cowboys SS Roy Williams has become a situational player who is best-suited against the run, so the Browns must attack him through the air. He is a tough, physical player who has limitations versus the pass due to his lack of downfield awareness. Look for the Browns to package personnel groupings that consist of one back, two tight ends and two receivers to attack Williams in certain situations. By detaching a tight end out in the formation within this grouping it will force Williams to extend outside the box, which creates a mismatch depending on the rotation on the backend.
Scouts Inc. Edge
This should be a high-scoring affair between two explosive offensive units. However, look for both offenses to start out slow. Field position and the kicking game become key factors in the first half due to the lack of extended playing time during the preseason by both teams' starters. The Cowboys' defense will stack the line of scrimmage, while forcing Anderson to make plays through the air. While, Garrett will look to pound the rock with Barber to set up the vertical passing game against a questionable Browns secondary. In the end, the Cowboys are simply the better team and will pull away in the second half.
Prediction
Dallas Cowboys 27
Cleveland Browns 20
Updated: September 4, 2008, 1:28 PM ET
Scouts Inc. Position Advantage
QB RB REC OL DL LB DB ST COACHING EDGE
The Cowboys have their eyes set on the Super Bowl, while the Browns are a team on the rise hoping to make the postseason. On paper, these offensive attacks are similar with good young quarterbacks, Tony Romo and Derek Anderson, explosive No. 1 receivers, Terrell Owens and Braylon Edwards, dangerous tight ends, Jason Witten and Kellen Winslow, along with a power running game and excellent offensive lines. As a result, both defenses will have their hands full and each team's performance on special teams will go a long way in determining the outcome.
When Dallas has the ball
Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett has a blended offense consisting of a power running game that sets up the quick-strike passing game. Look for Garrett to rely on the running back duo of Barber and Felix Jones to run behind a big, physical offensive line that features three Pro Bowl linemen in C Andre Gurode, RG Leonard Davis and LT Flozell Adams. Owens will also be moved around in the formation to get better matchups for Witten when he's detached out in the formation.
Only two teams in the NFL allowed more yards per game than the Browns did a season ago, so they were desperate this offseason to make changes. The additions of NT Shaun Rogers, DE Corey Williams and defensive coordinator Mel Tucker will hopefully bolster a lackluster defense. Look for Tucker to continue to employ the 3-4 scheme that uses simple multiple fronts to control gaps and allow inside linebacker D'Qwell Jackson to play fast and aggressive. Also, expect the Browns to incorporate a few more eight-man fronts versus the Cowboys' standard personnel groupings. However, the key for the Browns will be their ability to cover up their weakness on the backend versus the Cowboys' multiple spread packages.
When Cleveland has the ball
Offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski's system thrives on constant shifts, formation changes to create mismatches and a power running game led by RB Jamal Lewis. C Hank Fraley must do a great job of controlling Cowboys NT Jay Ratliff, while using guard combination blocks to create spacing inside for Lewis.
Chudzinski will rely heavily on the Browns' two-back offense on early downs to get Anderson in more manageable second- and third-down situations. Anderson is a tall pocket-passer with a big-time arm that can attack all three levels in the passing game., but he must play with a lot of confidence when attacking the Cowboys' zone-pressure schemes and not make any game-changing mistakes in sub-passing situations.
Under head coach Wade Phillips and defensive coordinator Brian Stewart, the Cowboys play a one-gap scheme built on pressure within their 3-4 system. They have a very fast and aggressive front seven that will give the Browns' offensive line some problems within their blocking patterns. Look for the Cowboys to maximize their defensive personnel groupings to match up versus the Browns' multiple sets in passing situations.
Matchup To Watch
Dallas ROLB DeMarcus Ware vs. Cleveland LT Joe Thomas
This game is full of unique one-on-one matchups. However, this one features two of the best at their positions. Ware is a three-down player who is very athletic with a good combination of size and speed. He's very productive as a pass-rusher and very active versus the run. He is instinctive reacting to blocking patterns, diagnosing plays and has a very good knack of being around the ball. Ware can also convert speed to power quickly by using good arm extension and low pad level to create a push off the edge. When he uses counter moves, he has a burst off of his plant step and he changes direction quickly off his outside charge. Thomas had an outstanding rookie season and he is the prototype NFL left tackle. His size is outstanding, but his quickness and overall athletic ability really set him apart as a pass-blocker. He is equally effective against speed, technique or bull-rushing defensive ends. He is also nasty as a run blocker and very effective. This has all the makings of a great matchup on Sunday afternoon in Cleveland.
Get get the running game going early: Barber emerged as a star last season due to his powerful-slashing style, Jones is viewed as a perfect change-of-pace back and their offensive line is big and powerful. But the key is Gurode, who must do a great job controlling the interior of the line of scrimmage -- especially Rogers. If the Cowboys can control the interior, then Barber will have enough spacing inside to gash the Browns' front seven and put a lot of pressure on the backend.
Pressure Anderson, especially on third down: Inside linebackers Zach Thomas and Bradie James must be disciplined in their gap responsibility when attacking downfield, while outside linebackers Ware and Greg Ellis must provide consistent pressure off the edge. While the linebackers are attacking, the Cowboys' secondary will have to take away Anderson's reliable targets, Edwards and Winslow, by bracketing both of them.
Attack Cleveland's young and inexperienced secondary: Both starting corners, Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald, are second-year players. Also, starting FS Brodney Pool missed a lot of time during the preseason due to a concussion and could be a game-time decision. Look for Romo to test this secondary early in the game, while attacking the third level off play-action. The Browns can ill-afford any explosive downfield plays that result in quick strikes, but the Cowboys' multiple-spread offense will be very hard for them to match up against.
Get Anderson going: Chudzinski needs to do a great job of getting Anderson into the flow of the offense early, especially because he did not get as much work in during the preseason as you would want due to a concussion he suffered in Week 2. One thing that was missing in last year's offense was the quick, underneath threat that gives any defense problems, but the addition of WR Donte' Stallworth should improve the Browns' ability to attack the second level. Stallworth needs to have a big day on Sunday due to the one-on-one matchups on the backend.
Pressure Romo: The Browns must find a way to pressure Romo and they are counting heavily on LBs Kamerion Wimbley, Alex Hall and Willie McGinest to create pressure off the edge. Wimbley is a fast, athletic pass-rusher with a tremendous upside, but only had five sacks in 2007. Adding Rogers should improve the interior push, which will allow either McGinest or Peek a lot of one-on-one situations. It's imperative that Rogers can become a very effective three-down player, unlike he was in Detroit. However, the Cowboys should be able to account for Rogers and Wimbley with their protection schemes.
Attack the weakest link: Cowboys SS Roy Williams has become a situational player who is best-suited against the run, so the Browns must attack him through the air. He is a tough, physical player who has limitations versus the pass due to his lack of downfield awareness. Look for the Browns to package personnel groupings that consist of one back, two tight ends and two receivers to attack Williams in certain situations. By detaching a tight end out in the formation within this grouping it will force Williams to extend outside the box, which creates a mismatch depending on the rotation on the backend.
Scouts Inc. Edge
This should be a high-scoring affair between two explosive offensive units. However, look for both offenses to start out slow. Field position and the kicking game become key factors in the first half due to the lack of extended playing time during the preseason by both teams' starters. The Cowboys' defense will stack the line of scrimmage, while forcing Anderson to make plays through the air. While, Garrett will look to pound the rock with Barber to set up the vertical passing game against a questionable Browns secondary. In the end, the Cowboys are simply the better team and will pull away in the second half.
Prediction
Dallas Cowboys 27
Cleveland Browns 20
