Cowboys roundtable: Discussions on Week 1 game against the Cleveland Browns

Every week, we gather the latest news about the Dallas Cowboys and seek our writer’s perspective on each headline. Welcome back to the Roundtable. This week we have David Howman, RJ Ochoa, Jess Haynie, Brian Martin and Tom Ryle.

What is the biggest threat to the Dallas Cowboys this weekend against the Cleveland Browns?

Last year the Cleveland Browns defense finished the season allowing the fewest yards and was impressive in allowing the fewest passing yards in the NFL. All of this spearheaded by Myles Garrett who finished last year with the seventh-most pressures and fifth-most sacks. His PFF grade of 94.0 was the highest among all defensive ends last season.

Howman: It all starts with the Cleveland defense, led by coordinator Jim Schwartz. Last year, Schwartz completely turned this unit around and had them playing at the highest level in the NFL. Now, they’re getting to face a Cowboys offensive line with two rookies playing different positions from what they did in college. Myles Garrett and the rest of this pass rush could make Sunday a nightmare for Dak Prescott and the rest of this offense.

Tom: I can’t disagree with Howman, because that could have implications that stretch for several games. If Schwartz’s unit can disrupt and confuse an offense that missed it’s most potent weapon for camp and the preseason, and whose running game is suspect, it could have the Cowboys reeling. With three of their next six games against the Ravens, Lions, and 49ers, that could put them in a hole they will have trouble climbing out of. This game may come down to Mike Zimmer being able to do as good a job as Schwartz and keep this a low-scoring defensive game, where Brandon Aubrey may be the deciding factor.

Brian: The Myles Garrett versus Tyler Guyton matchup is probably the most intriguing, however, I think the biggest threat to the Dallas Cowboys this week against the Cleveland Browns is Amari Cooper versus Caelen Carson. Cooper’s precise route running ability and veteran savviness is a nightmare for just about any CB in the league, let alone a rookie. This could be one of those games where the Cowboys former WR goes off and completely sways the game in the Browns favor. You can bet Cooper probably wants a little payback against his former team.

RJ: I’m going to be chalk and jump on board here. If Jim Schwartz is able to stifle the Cowboys offense that could make for a very long day in a lot of ways. We have seen the offense look relatively stuck when Dak Prescott is under duress, and given that we don’t anticipate the run game being able to help, holding Cleveland’s defense off is key.

Jess: There’s no arguing what the rest of the crew has already said; the Garrett-Guyton matchup is critical, plus how Cooper Beebe holds up in his first game. Thankfully, the Browns’ offensive line is in even worse shape, so Micah Parsons may be a bigger threat to Cleveland than anything they can throw at us defensively. Honestly, the biggest threat to Dallas will be any lack of chemistry from having sat most starters and key players the entire preseason. If they’re working through rust this week, the Browns are good enough to make them pay for it.

How do you rate Deshaun Watson and what are his biggest strengths to watch for this Sunday?

Deshaun Watson last played in a Browns game back in Week 9 of last season. Since then he’s been out and recovering from a shoulder injury which is huge for a quarterback. Since joining Cleveland in 2022, Watson has thrown 14 touchdowns to nine interceptions. That’s a far cry from his final year in Houston where he threw 33 touchdowns to only seven interceptions, a form he hopes to find once again.

Howman: I rate Deshaun Watson at a 3 on the NFL QB scale. He’s been dreadful since coming to Cleveland, and has hardly even played thanks to several injuries. I’m not sure he’s a fit in this offense, but Watson has also just taken a massive step back from his days in Houston. I’m not sure what his strengths are at this point, unless he can turn back the clock and play like the superstar he was becoming with the Texans.

Tom: Watson is an enigma at this point. If he does find his mojo, it could be a long game. He is mobile. That could help neutralize the Dallas pass rush, which has its own questions coming into the game. And Watson could be the biggest weapon the Browns have running the ball. They are going to have to contain him in both phases of the game to get a win.

Brian: At one point, not long ago, I thought very highly of Deshaun Watson as both a person and NFL QB. Now, I don’t give him much thought at all. As a QB, he still has the talent to be a top player at his position in the league, but has yet to show that level of play since being acquired via trade by the Cleveland Browns. Maybe 2024 will be his bounce back year and maybe not.

RJ: I’ve always found Watson to be a curious evaluation. He had an incredible start to his career in 2017 and led the league in passing in 2020, but he has largely disappointed. He feels like a player with more hype than results. He is hardly something that I am concerned about from the Cowboys’ perspective this week.

Jess: The last time Watson looked like an above-average QB was 2020 with the Texans, so rating him now after only playing 12 games in three seasons is hard to do. He barely got to know Alex Van Pelt’s offense, so the move to Ken Dorsey as OC won’t necessarily affect him. But after seeing how Van Pelt was able to resurrect Joe Flacco last year, I’d feel better about Watson’s comeback tour with the previous regime.

What is your score prediction for this weekends game against the Cleveland Browns. And what is one random prediction you have for the game?

This weekend the Cowboys take on the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Kickoff commences at 4:25 p.m. ET. The Browns currently lead the series between the two teams 18-14-0. When the two teams last met back in 2020 the Browns won the high scoring affair 49-38.

Howman: I’m confident about the Cowboys this year, but not to start things out. The Browns are a very tough test for both this new offensive line and new run defense. I think Myles Garrett gets double and triple teamed all day, which frees ZaDarius Smith up for 3 sacks on the day, and the Cowboys fall 24-20.

Tom: Look for a low scoring affair as Dak and CeeDee need a bit of time to get their connection clicking and the offensive line has some issues.. I think Aubrey will nail one really long distance kick, maybe even for a record, but it will not be quite enough and Dallas will get edged 17-16 as red zone problems rear their ugly heads.

Brian: Considering the starters for both teams saw very little, if any, action in the preseason I’m expecting to see a lot of rust from the players and a lot of sloppy play. Because of that, I think this will be a low scoring affair and one the Dallas Cowboys may see slip through their grasp if they don’t take care of business. Having said that though, I’m still going to predict a 13-10 victory for Dallas mostly due to my faith in Brandon Aubrey’s leg.

RJ: I’ll go with a Cowboys win along the lines of 27-16. As far as random things, how about a return for a touchdown by way of the new kickoff rules.

Jess: I think Mike Zimmer’s going to have fun terrorizing Deshaun Watson and that makeshift Browns offensive line in his return to Dallas. While I am worried the Cowboys’ rust on offense, They have the better QB this weekend and the more complete team overall. I’ll go 30-20 on the score, and an interception for Caelen Carson in his NFL debut. He’ll get plenty of opportunities.