Thoughts/Opinions about week 1's opponent-Browns!

[Cowboyny]

For the Cowboys on offense we talk so much about Garrett that we forget about ZaDarius Smith. He's a very good second EDGE guy who between the two of them will keep our tackles busy all game. I wouldnt be surprised at all to see a lot of 2 TE sets this week, and the Cowboys offense come out with a more conservative game play. Turnovers, field position, and controlling the clock are twice as important tough defensive road games like this.

On defense I think it'll be interesting to see how the Cowboys choose to deal with Njoku. I would guess we see a lot of two deep safety looks with Diggs coming off injury and a rookie on the other side, but you also don't want Njoku manned up on a backer all game either. They could play with an extra DB on the field, but there is obvious downside to that as well that Cowboy fans are very familiar with.

This game is simply going to be so much fun from an Xs and Os standpoint.

I was going to mention Smith in my opening post, but Garrett is the Defensive MVP and deserves the focus.

 

[Cowboyny]

The Cowboys haven't won an opening game against a team that wasn't the Giants since 2009. I too expect a low scoring game.

As far as the new kick rules. The NFL screwed the pooch on this one. If any team seems to be dangerous, or has a dangerous return man, they'll just kick it through the endzone. Ball comes out to the 30. They needed to make that rule the 35 or 40. Or make the kicker kick it from the 30 instead of 35. But they didn't see this coming. It will change next year.

Think they will tinker with the rule next season, just a trail basis this yr cause there were too many touchbacks.

 

[Cowboyny]

The Browns have a solid defense and an average offense. They would have trouble keeping up in a high-scoring battle. They have the best chance to win when they can keep the score down. MM should try to score often and early.

Their defense is real good and will be difficult the entire day. Don't discount their offense, have a few playmakers that could give us problems. Hell, they were a playoff team with a 40 yr old QB.

 

[Cowboyny]

It looks like the Browns have a lot of guys who are questionable with injuries. Tomlinson and Hurst are both listed as questionable on the DL. If they can't play, it will make a difference, but I expect both will play. They have a lot of good players on defense. This will be a test for the Cowboys offensive line, and especially Guyton and Beebe. The Browns have done it right on defense. They have two pass rushers and two strong guys up the middle. Every offensive lineman has to be at the top of his game or this could get ugly.

We don't know if the Cowboys defense is fixed or not after last year. If the Browns can run the football, it is going to get ugly quickly IMO. I just do not think Dallas has enough talent along the DL to stop the Browns who also have a strong OL.

I don't think their OL is as good as prior years, especially with their Tackles hurting.

 

[reddyuta]

Their LT Wills is out,Conklin to move to LT but he is also coming back from serious injury.

 

[JBS]

When is the last time we won an ugly defensive battle? I agree with the OP, this is the type of game I expect as well.

 

[75boyz]

I made a general statement in another thread concerning our physicality against them and compared them to another physical team in the 49ers that I hoped we didn't play against them like we have the 49ers.
As long as we don't appear to be a physically dominated team, I could tolerate a tough, hard nosed loss.

So show me some toughness and grit and I can let the other deficiencies slide.

But if we look like some finesse based, hybrid soft squad like we have in those past 49ers games, I will be extremely disappointed.

Don't get punked out in Cleveland, 49ers style please.

And uh, Cowboys!

 

[Chasing6]

Season is finally here! I moved out of NYC this summer to the Philly suburbs. Used to the Cowboy hate, seems even worse here then in NY!

Very interesting opening game, their HC used to be Zimmer's OC in Minnesota, so they know each other's scheme very well. Good news is that Callahan the great OL coach is no longer with the team and Nick Chubb will be out for the 1st few weeks.

Offense

-#1 goal is to not allow Myles Garrett to wreck the game. Cowboys need to know where he is on every snap. You can bet they will scheme ways to isolate our rookies facing him.
-their DC loves to bring the blitz, which Dak usually has great success against, but they have a tremendous secondary that can hold up against press coverage.
-attack up the seams and force their safeties to tackle in space
-this game will be ugly at times, live for the next series

Defense

-all starts up front in the trenches. Browns have been one of the best rushing teams in the league over the last few seasons. Ford has proven to be a very capable backup.
-force Watson to throw inside the pocket and don't allow him to beat us with his feet.
-They are going to test Carson early and often, until he proves he can handle the job. The Browns have several quality, receiving options, including a good TE.
-Watch out for the screen game
-Their OL is real, banged up at the tackle position, however, their weakness might be more inside, double A gap blitz, here we come.

Special Teams

-Cowboys should have the edge here, but all bets are off with the new kicking rule.

24-17 Cowboys.

 

[kskboys]

Good, tough, physical game coming up w/ many question marks on both teams. To me, the most interesting aspect will be how Guyton does vs Myles. And it's not if he gets beat or not, I expect him to get beat at least some by this beast. It's how he handles it, and how he adjusts and the extreme effort he will need to stay in front of him.

 

[Chasing6]

Good, tough, physical game coming up w/ many question marks on both teams. To me, the most interesting aspect will be how Guyton does vs Myles. And it's not if he gets beat or not, I expect him to get beat at least some by this beast. It's how he handles it, and how he adjusts and the extreme effort he will need to stay in front of him.

Aubrey will be a huge factor all season long.

 

[JoeKing]

Their defense is real good and will be difficult the entire day. Don't discount their offense, have a few playmakers that could give us problems. Hell, they were a playoff team with a 40 yr old QB.

I didn't say "real" so I'm dissing the Brown's D? As long as Watson is their QB, I will discount their offense. He's the reason they lose week 1.

 

[rambo2]

Season is finally here! I moved out of NYC this summer to the Philly suburbs. Used to the Cowboy hate, seems even worse here then in NY!

Very interesting opening game, their HC used to be Zimmer's OC in Minnesota, so they know each other's scheme very well. Good news is that Callahan the great OL coach is no longer with the team and Nick Chubb will be out for the 1st few weeks.

Offense

-#1 goal is to not allow Myles Garrett to wreck the game. Cowboys need to know where he is on every snap. You can bet they will scheme ways to isolate our rookies facing him.
-their DC loves to bring the blitz, which Dak usually has great success against, but they have a tremendous secondary that can hold up against press coverage.
-attack up the seams and force their safeties to tackle in space
-this game will be ugly at times, live for the next series

Defense

-all starts up front in the trenches. Browns have been one of the best rushing teams in the league over the last few seasons. Ford has proven to be a very capable backup.
-force Watson to throw inside the pocket and don't allow him to beat us with his feet.
-They are going to test Carson early and often, until he proves he can handle the job. The Browns have several quality, receiving options, including a good TE.
-Watch out for the screen game
-Their OL is real, banged up at the tackle position, however, their weakness might be more inside, double A gap blitz, here we come.

Special Teams

-Cowboys should have the edge here, but all bets are off with the new kicking rule.

Browns will have their hands full. Points spread could be like stealing.

 

[Redline360]

I might be the one of the few who actually believes we win this game.

Cleveland defense when it's all said and done will probably be one of the best defenses by the end of the year. However just a quick glance they seem to be dealing with more injuries / questionable players on both sides of the ball. Also the key is not to have Garrett wreck us. He needs to be accounted for on every play

Offense wise we have two 1k receivers and Ferg looks like he's going to be a beast. More concerned about the run game. Don't care for zeke anymore but looking forwards to seeing what Cook has left. Hopefully the situation with the Jets last year wasn't a true sign of his "major" decline(granted he's declined). Looking forward to seeing dowdle too. Dak we shall see how he does with no reps in preseason. Biggest thing is how the OL will look. All about the trenches on both sides of the ball.

Chubb is out so that helps greatly. Looking to see how Digg does in his return from injury however coop and Jeudy might be a massive problem along with njoku too

Think if Parsons and our pass rush get to Watson we will win this one in a close game.

 

[Cowboyny]

I made a general statement in another thread concerning our physicality against them and compared them to another physical team in the 49ers that I hoped we didn't play against them like we have the 49ers.
As long as we don't appear to be a physically dominated team, I could tolerate a tough, hard nosed loss.

So show me some toughness and grit and I can let the other deficiencies slide.

But if we look like some finesse based, hybrid soft squad like we have in those past 49ers games, I will be extremely disappointed.

Don't get punked out in Cleveland, 49ers style please.

And uh, Cowboys!

We quietly have moved to move of a big, physical team this offseason.

 

[Cowboyny]

Good, tough, physical game coming up w/ many question marks on both teams. To me, the most interesting aspect will be how Guyton does vs Myles. And it's not if he gets beat or not, I expect him to get beat at least some by this beast. It's how he handles it, and how he adjusts and the extreme effort he will need to stay in front of him.

Not just Guyton, entire OL has to do it's job against him.

 

[jujoboys]

Huge test for Dak and the offense facing the #1 defense in total yards from last year. The Browns had the #1 Pass defense last year only giving up 164.7 yds per game with 23 TDs and 18 INTs. They were #11 in rush defense so running the ball won't be much easier. Road game to top it off. These are the type of games that Dak needs to start excelling in.

 

[75boyz]

We quietly have moved to move of a big, physical team this offseason.

On paper no doubt.

 

[kskboys]

Not just Guyton, entire OL has to do it's job against him.

Of course, that's why I said "the most interesting aspect."

You don't think it's interesting to see our rookie OLT go up against the best pass rusher in the NFL?

 

[Cowboyny]

Of course, that's why I said "the most interesting aspect."

You don't think it's interesting to see our rookie OLT go up against the best pass rusher in the NFL?

Absolutely

 

[KJJ]

I just hope what happened the last time we played them doesn’t happen on Sunday. They absolutely road graded us for over 300 yards in 2020. We’ll see if Mazi has improved any from last season. He’s dealing with a hamstring, but I don’t want to hear any excuses. If he’s on the field he needs to step up.