CFZ What kind of Browns team will we be facing?

[AsthmaField]

And that their last year's OL coach Callahan had gone to Tennessee to coach with his son. That's to our benefit too as we well know how good of an OL coach Callahan was here. He is one of the best OL coaches out there.

No doubt, Callahan is the best OL coach in the NFL. They won’t be as good on the OL as they have been for a few years, and that is without taking their recent rash of injuries into consideration.

That doesn’t mean their OL will be bad… but it won’t be the same as it was when Callahan was coaching them. It never is.

Having said all of that, I think this is going to be a difficult game for Dallas to go into their stadium and win. They’re solid in a lot of areas and their defense is good.

I can see it going either way on Sunday.

 

[Coogiguy03]

One that will 0-1 by the end of next Sunday.

 

[Rockport]

Unfortunately they do not. The defense is very good. Watson can be a problem. It’s a tough week one matchup on the road.

Opening day on the road in a hostile environment with the Dawg Pound. Yeah, it’s going to be tough, but this year the Cowboys got some Dawgs of their own.

 

[Rockport]

Every NFL season is different. What we are in 2024 as well as the browns this year right now is mostly speculative. All I had to go on when presenting the browns strengths and weaknesses was the recent past and they have been pretty good.

Any fans who are laughing at the browns poor history over the last 4-5 decades are apparently forgetting our playoff history the last 3 decades.

I expect a tough game in Cle this next Sunday. I know we can win and I believe we have the talent to do just that. But I also know we will be depending on 4-5 rookies playing in their first NFL game, one of them, Tyler Guyton, will be blocking the 2023 NFL DPOY most of the night. That doesn’t mean I think he will be bad, but I also think it could be a problem on multiple moments Sunday.

Acting like this is an easy win IMO requires quite a bit of blue kool aid. I expect a close, tough game that could go either way.

Every season and every team is different. And you’re spot on that this is going to be a tough game.

 

[Bobhaze]

No doubt, Callahan is the best OL coach in the NFL. They won’t be as good on the OL as they have been for a few years, and that is without taking their recent rash of injuries into consideration.

That doesn’t mean their OL will be bad… but it won’t be the same as it was when Callahan was coaching them. It never is.

Having said all of that, I think this is going to be a difficult game for Dallas to go into their stadium and win. They’re solid in a lot of areas and their defense is good.

I can see it going either way on Sunday.

Yeah, I agree, it can go either way Sunday. I like that we are starting the season on the road against a worthy opponent, unlike opening at the giants last year.

I always believe it takes at least 4-6 games to really get a good handle on what kind of team we have. We will certainly learn some things about this team Sunday in Cle but win or lose, there will be plenty of over-reactions either way. When you count on 4-5 rookies as major contributors there will be mistakes and growing pains.

But man, it’s great to finally see the regular season finally arrive.

 

[nate dizzle]

All I said was I think we have the edge if both team are at full strength. Not confident as others are especially on the road.

I think Browns offense sucks. I think our offense should be solid.

I think our defense is solid. I think their defense is solid.


Watson has been ehh.
Chubb is out. I think Ford is more than capable of running all over us but no Chubb is solid for our team.

We are gonna find ourselves in a lot of games this year where our edge is at quarterback and he needs to show it. Dak vs Watson is the one edge we do have.....until Bland gets back and Diggs gets healthy.

I'm concerned with our young offensive line against their defensive line for sure.

Fair enough. I just don't think looking at these teams there is an edge for us. They have/had the best pass defense in the league last year. Their run game with Ford and Foreman isn't what it is with Chubb but both those guys are bruisers that can definitely get the job done as Ford showed repeatedly last year. Dak isn't good against good defenses, so I expect a low scoring defensive battle in their house where they can stick to pounding the ball throughout. Objectively, I don't see any edge here.

 

[75boyz]

No doubt, Callahan is the best OL coach in the NFL. They won’t be as good on the OL as they have been for a few years, and that is without taking their recent rash of injuries into consideration.

That doesn’t mean their OL will be bad… but it won’t be the same as it was when Callahan was coaching them. It never is.

Having said all of that, I think this is going to be a difficult game for Dallas to go into their stadium and win. They’re solid in a lot of areas and their defense is good.

I can see it going either way on Sunday.

Agreed. They're a physical bunch in the trenches regardless.
In a game of physical trench warfare we really really need Guyton and Beebe to shine in this one.
Im not entirely optimistic on the outcome of this one based off how we have performed against most physical teams in the past.

So, we'll see I guess.

 

[RoboQB]

I'd give the 2.5 pts and still bet on Cleveland.
This ain't the "Giants".
There will be no 40-0 blowout this year.

 

[Diehardblues]

Browns have some key injuries. Chubb’s is out. Watson is going to play but his shoulder he had surgery on in offseason isnt 100% or been bothering him.

Cowboys are 2 1/2 point underdogs. Initially I liked Browns but without a running game their offense could be limited and easier for us to defend.

Should be a game we can win even if we aren’t expected to.

Key matchup: can our Rookie OL’s handle Myles Garrett?

 

[AsthmaField]

Agreed. They're a physical bunch in the trenches regardless.
In a game of physical trench warfare we really really need Guyton and Beebe to shine in this one.
Im not entirely optimistic on the outcome of this one based off how we have performed against most physical teams in the past.

So, we'll see I guess.

I think that both Guyton and Beebe are going to be really good players for Dallas. Really nice picks. However, it is asking a whole lot to ask them to hold up in their first ever NFL game against what is a really good defense… particularly Guyton v Garrett. That has the potential to be a loooong day for the rookie.

I mean, Guyton has world class tools, so I guess he could surprise everybody and hold up against the reigning NFL Defensive player of the year… but it would be pretty shocking. More likely is that he does okay and the offense schemes him some help over there with the backs and TE’s to slow Garrett down. Garrett will probably get his pound of flesh, but Dallas can overcome that unless he’s just wrecking that side.

I’ll say this: If Guyton does hold up nicely against Garrett then look out because Dallas has stolen another OL out from under the NFL’s noses. If you see Garrett over on the other side v Steele, then that is a very, very good sign for Guyton… but I really don’t expect that.

Overall, I think Dallas will have to survive the OL’s struggles if they want to win. And that’s okay because the Browns are good defensively and the rookies will get better every game.

It’s going to be interesting.

 

[AsthmaField]

Yeah, I agree, it can go either way Sunday. I like that we are starting the season on the road against a worthy opponent, unlike opening at the giants last year.

I always believe it takes at least 4-6 games to really get a good handle on what kind of team we have. We will certainly learn some things about this team Sunday in Cle but win or lose, there will be plenty of over-reactions either way. When you count on 4-5 rookies as major contributors there will be mistakes and growing pains.

But man, it’s great to finally see the regular season finally arrive.

Well, the Giants were supposed to be contenders going into last season coming off a playoff win the season before. Nobody knew they weren’t a good team until Dallas dismantled them and exposed them as unworthy of being a test… but yeah, I agree, they weren’t a worthy opponent, as it turned out.

Assuming that Cleveland is as good as expected, I too appreciate getting a better look at the 2024 Cowboys team in the first game.

I’m such a huge fan of the draft and I’ve always thought that a good draft can propel a team forward, so I always get excited when the team is counting on rookies from the first game on. However, like you mentioned, there will be growing pains, especially with as many as Dallas is asking to contribute in game 1.

Anyway, it is great to get to see the Cowboys and what their young guys are going to do. I have very high expectations for Guyton, Beebe, and in particular Kneeland. I think the young DE is going to really surprise people and will be a really good player even early in the season.

 

[glimmerman]

What kind of a team will browns be facing. At least 2 new O-Line players and Elliot as starting RB again. Missing a few D-Line players from last year. Can we stop the run. Can Dak get it going. How is his passing going to be. Will Dak and Lamb be on the same timing.

 

[nate dizzle]

On second thought, Stroud torched their #1 defense last year in the playoffs and we have the MVP maid of honor. Should be a cakewalk.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Fair enough. I just don't think looking at these teams there is an edge for us. They have/had the best pass defense in the league last year. Their run game with Ford and Foreman isn't what it is with Chubb but both those guys are bruisers that can definitely get the job done as Ford showed repeatedly last year. Dak isn't good against good defenses, so I expect a low scoring defensive battle in their house where they can stick to pounding the ball throughout. Objectively, I don't see any edge here.

A few things.

Cowboys also had one of the best pass defenses last year….yet you don’t seem to think our defense vs Watson is an advantage. Or you didn’t mention it anyway.

Cowboys faced some good secondaries last year like the Jets. Had no issue winning that game.

Browns didn’t really play many polarizing offenses last year.

Bengals
Ravens
Rams
Broncos
Colts
Steelers
Texans

All scored points on them and these are not juggernauts.

Ravens, Rams and Texans were solid.

 

[AsthmaField]

A few things.

Cowboys also had one of the best pass defenses last year….yet you don’t seem to think our defense vs Watson is an advantage. Or you didn’t mention it anyway.

Cowboys faced some good secondaries last year like the Jets. Had no issue winning that game.

Browns didn’t really play many polarizing offenses last year.

Bengals
Ravens
Rams
Broncos
Colts
Steelers

All scored points on them and these are not juggernauts.

I’ve been meaning to look up who the Browns played last year, so I appreciate this post. Thx.

EDIT: And the cowboys played the Jets in the second game, I think, so it was well before they got used to McCarthy’s new offense and they really started scoring some points offensively.

 

[nate dizzle]

A few things.

Cowboys also had one of the best pass defenses last year….yet you don’t seem to think our defense vs Watson is an advantage. Or you didn’t mention it anyway.

Cowboys faced some good secondaries last year like the Jets. Had no issue winning that game.

Browns didn’t really play many polarizing offenses last year.

Bengals
Ravens
Rams
Broncos
Colts
Steelers

All scored points on them and these are not juggernauts.

Our pass defense is not a concern I have. My concern is our offense is likely to struggle to put points up allowing them to continue to run the ball throughout the game which I feel will be the deciding factor.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I’ve been meaning to look up who the Browns played last year, so I appreciate this post. Thx.

Yeah the only thing is I didn’t do an extensive research on how the points were scored. But the argument that they have this polarizing defense and secondary…..some subpar teams put points on them.

49ers didn’t and I think that’s why maybe some are afraid of them. But 49ers seem to have been going through some things during that stretch.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Our pass defense is not a concern I have. My concern is our offense is likely to struggle to put points up allowing them to continue to run the ball throughout the game which I feel will be the deciding factor.

It just doesn’t seem like a team that has given issues in the past or last year. Not saying they won’t because you never know. First week of the season games….tricky to predict.

Our losses were San Fran, Cardinals, Buffalo, Philly and Dolphins. All teams with a good quarterback and good running game except Cardinals.

Browns don’t seem to fit the mold of those teams. They seem to look closer to what the Jets were.

 

[Adreme]

A few things.

Cowboys also had one of the best pass defenses last year….yet you don’t seem to think our defense vs Watson is an advantage. Or you didn’t mention it anyway.

Cowboys faced some good secondaries last year like the Jets. Had no issue winning that game.

Browns didn’t really play many polarizing offenses last year.

Bengals
Ravens
Rams
Broncos
Colts
Steelers
Texans

All scored points on them and these are not juggernauts.

Ravens, Rams and Texans were solid.

The Steelers in 2 games put up 10 pts and 26 pts so neither were great. Looking over their schedule they gave up 30pts (what I would set as the benchmark for failure in defense) 4x in 18 games and lost 28-3 to Ravens so presumably the Ravens could have done it a second time.

With the exception of the Colts the offenses that did it had elite QB play and multiple good weapons. I remember that Colts game being very weird though I can’t remember why.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

The Steelers in 2 games put up 10 pts and 26 pts so neither were great. Looking over their schedule they gave up 30pts (what I would set as the benchmark for failure in defense) 4x in 18 games and lost 28-3 to Ravens so presumably the Ravens could have done it a second time.

With the exception of the Colts the offenses that did it had elite QB play and multiple good weapons. I remember that Colts game being very weird though I can’t remember why.

Steelers, Broncos, Texans, Rams had elite QB play?