The Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns matchup is arguably an ideal way to start the NFL football season. It’s a game where an explosive offense meets an impenetrable defense. Who will triumph? Following their disappointing playoff performances last season, both teams see this week one matchup as a stepping stone towards a successful playoff journey and a Super Bowl contention. Both teams had road performance issues last season – the Cowboys struggled with their offensive output while the Browns’ defense, usually stellar at home, was subpar when playing away. This makes the match all the more intriguing.
I believe these trends are relevant in this matchup. Let’s delve into it.
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2023 NFL Recap: +16.6 Units
Cowboys vs Browns Odds
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Deshaun Watson, Browns’ quarterback, is getting repetitions during training camp.
Spread
Cowboys: +2.5 (-105)
Browns: -2.5 (-115)
Total
Over: 42.0 (-108)
Under: 42.0 (-112)
Moneyline
Cowboys: +120
Browns: -140
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Cowboys vs Browns Predictions
The Stank:
At times, trends can be to your advantage, while at other times they may not be. For Week 1, I’m honing in on the trends that troubled the Cowboys and Browns in the previous season.
The powerful offense of Dallas flourished at the AT&T Stadium, topping the league with an average of 36.8 points per game. However, their scoring plummeted dramatically to 23.3 points per game when playing away—a difference equivalent to two touchdowns. While the Cowboys aspire to rectify this problem, I remain doubtful.
This year, Dallas features a new offensive line and a backfield with veteran backs Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook. Head Coach Mike McCarthy has stated that the offense will be a running back by committee, with CeeDee Lamb as the star wide receiver. However, aside from Lamb, the offense lacks depth. Brandin Cooks is a solid third receiver but not a strong second option, and tight end Jake Ferguson had a decent year but doesn’t impress me enough, especially given their road struggles last season.
On the other hand, Cleveland’s defense was formidable at home last season, allowing just 13.9 points per game. Unfortunately for them, they’re starting the season at home, where they excelled, while their road defense was much weaker, giving up 31.3 points per game. This stark contrast highlights their home-field advantage.
The offense is heavily dependent on quarterback Deshaun Watson, who’s entering his third season with the Browns. Will he be able to replicate his earlier form from his Houston days? He has reliable assets in the form of Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, and tight end David Njoku. However, the lack of star running back Nick Chubb will undoubtedly impact the Browns’ offensive flow. Given that Watson hasn’t taken any preseason snaps, it’s anticipated that the Browns’ offense might start off slowly. Regardless of who the quarterback is, preseason reps are vital for a smooth first-week performance.
Taking all of that into account, for nearly two weeks I’ve been more inclined towards the under. It’s the only move I feel sure about for this contest. I anticipate a tightly contested game, with the Browns just managing to scrape a victory over the Cowboys.
Prediction: Browns win
Best Bet: Under 42.5 on BetOnline
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