Cleveland Browns (0-1) – Dallas Cowboys (1-0): 17-33
Dallas thrashed a Cleveland team that was completely overwhelmed in all areas of the game. Undisciplined (11 fouls), dependent on Chubb (yards per game), and with a fallen leader, the Browns' attack did not advance while the defense tried everything to contain Dallas, in vain.
Mike Zimmer (DC, Cowboys) made his debut. His defense set up the attack in the best conditions. His “protégé” Eric Kendricks even shone (9 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 interception), also for his debut with the Texan franchise.
In an evening that quickly lacked any intrigue, the meeting turned into a demonstration of the Cowboys' individual talents. An anecdotal final score of 17 to 33 for the visitors.
The Million Dollar Men
Dak Prescott became the highest-paid player in NFL history just before the game. And in a snub, he surpassed a certain Deshaun Watson for that title. On the field today, it was easy to see why.
While not everything was perfect for the Cowboys quarterback, he was able to navigate a porous pocket as best he could. He was able to distribute in all zones, mixing aggression and more conservative plays. (19/32, 179 yards, 1 touchdown)
To help him, CeeDee Lamb aka “the hit of the summer”, was very valuable. The star receiver, also paid millions by Jerry Jones, was the biggest provider of yards for his team (61 receiving, 25 rushing). In the first half he treated the crowd to a superb reception along the sideline. He put his team in rhythm to lead 20-3 at halftime.
On Cleveland's side, the Deshaun Watson case is more thorny. In difficulty with his health for several years, the reviled quarterback still does not resemble the playful and winning player of the Houston years. After an apathetic performance from the offense and therefore from Deshaun (24/45, 169 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, 1 fumble), the Browns' board of directors can continue to ask questions, in line with last year.
Micah Garrett & Myles Parsons
On the defensive side of the ball, while players are making less noise off the field (for now), the majority of the Cowboys and Browns have responded.
Leading the way are quarterback hunters Micah Parsons and Myles Garrett. The two stars have already made it clear that they are just as much, or more, to be considered than their colleagues. Myles Garrett made rookie Tyler Guyton's life hell (1 sack). Micah Parsons was even more decisive, forcing an interception at the end of the first half after a deflected ball and applying constant pressure on the opposing quarterback (1 sack, 6 pressures).
The chalice to the dregs
While some players stood out, it was also and above all the referees who had the right to the cameras. The game was chopped up by a rain of legitimate fouls. The Browns' offense self-sabotaged with a multitude of false starts and downs that cut into yards in the running game.
The Ohio franchise reached the point of no return after the first drive of the second half. The Browns punted the ball away for yet another loss of yards. Kavontae Turpin (PR, Cowboys) then returned the kick for a touchdown, making the score 27-3.
The rest of the game was lethargic. Without any real desire, the teams exchanged pleasantries to end with a score of 33 to 17. Cleveland must find solutions quickly in attack. Dallas had the luxury of running in its first team.
