Position battleground (offense): Cowboys vs Browns head-to-head breakdown

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Which offense do you believe in more... Dallas or Cleveland?

The first regular-season game of the 2024 season is almost here. The Cowboys face the Browns in Week 1 and both sides will want to get off to a good start. So how do the offenses stack up against each other? Let’s battle it out by position and find out.

QUARTERBACK

Dak Prescott vs. Deshaun Watson

Dak Prescott is supported by an exceptional receiving corps, prominently featuring the recently extended CeeDee Lamb, which is a positive development. Alongside Jake Ferguson and what appears to be an offensive line capable of exceeding expectations this season, Dak enjoys a solid level of protection that should alleviate some of the pressure he faces.

However, the primary challenge for Dak comes from the formidable pass rush of the Cleveland Browns, who recorded a total of 49 sacks last year, ranking sixth in the NFL, and also achieved 18 interceptions, the second-most in the league. Consequently, the Browns allowed the fewest passing yards in the league, averaging an impressive 164 yards per game. The outcome of this game for Dak will largely depend on the performance of his newly assembled offensive line as they face their first significant challenge.

Over the past two seasons, Watson has participated in 12 games, during which he has recorded 14 touchdown passes and nine interceptions. This performance does not reflect the caliber expected from a quarterback who was once considered elite. He is now set to confront a defense that concluded the season with the third-highest number of interceptions (17) and the fifth-lowest total passing yards allowed (187 yards). The Cowboys’ defensive strength lies in their talented and deep secondary, which will face a wide receiver corps that underperformed last year, managing only 24 receiving touchdowns in total.

Conclusion:
Despite the significant challenges Dak will encounter for the first regular-season game, he has consistently demonstrated his ability to shoulder the team’s offense and effectively advance their drives. Conversely, Watson faces a multitude of inquiries this week, particularly regarding his performance, as his last appearance was in Week 9 of the previous season, raising concerns about the future for Watson in the NFL. This year is a huge year for Watson.
Win: Cowboys

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RUNNING BACK

Rico Dowdle/Ezekiel Elliott vs. Jerome Ford/Pierre Strong

It feels unnatural to begin a series and talk about the running back positions reversed between Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott. The inclusion of Dalvin Cook and Hunter Luepke further complicates the Cowboys’ running game, transforming it into a committee approach this season. This situation is likely to lead to some confusion on how to project this running back corps each week. The primary back to watch this week will probably be Zeke, as he possesses commendable pass protection abilities, which will likely result in him receiving more playing time than usual. Given the lethal pass rush of the Browns and the fact that the Cowboys are starting two rookie offensive linemen, Zeke’s role will be crucial in ensuring Dak remains protected.

Last season, the Browns ranked around average as a team for rushing at 118 rushing yards per game. They are set to face a defense that was average in run-stopping, allowing 112 rushing yards per game. However, this year, the Cowboys’ defensive line faces significant uncertainties. Many key defensive players departed after the season, placing players with questions marks such as Mazi Smith, Marshawn Kneeland, and Chauncey Golston in critical roles where they must perform effectively.

Conclusion:
Nick Chubb will be unavailable for this game due to injury, having participated in only two games last season. When considering rushing efficiency, the comparison is quite close. Last year, both Cleveland and Dallas recorded nearly identical averages in rushing yards per game, with the Browns achieving just one more rushing touchdown than the Cowboys. This situation raises important questions regarding performance history. Jerome Ford outperformed both Zeke and Dowdle in terms of yards and touchdowns last season. Cowboys fans are about to witness the dynamics of this running back by committee approach, which may provide clarity or further questions.
Win: Browns

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WIDE RECEIVERS

CeeDee Lamb/Brandin Cooks/Jalen Tolbert vs. Amari Cooper/Jerry Jeudy/ Elijah Moore

Last season, Lamb set multiple franchise records and ranked second among wide receivers in receiving yards. The news of Lamb’s long-term signing is the best news for Cowboys fans this offseason, and he will have the opportunity to demonstrate his gratitude in Week 1 against a defense that allowed the tenth-most number of passing touchdowns last year. However, Lamb faces a significant challenge, as the Browns permitted the fewest passing yards last season and he will be matched up against Greg Newsome when in the slot, who recorded a 58% completion rate last year.

Brandin Cooks appears to be in better form after a full preseason working alongside Dak Prescott, and he gained the most from Lamb’s temporary absence during preseason training. Tolbert has secured the third position and performed admirably during training camp; it will be interesting to see how he performs under the bright lights this weekend.

Amari Cooper will have the chance to compete against his former team and reunite with his protégé, CeeDee Lamb. Cooper achieved another 1,000-yard season, marking the fifth time in the last six years he has reached this milestone. He will face Trevon Diggs, providing an opportunity to address any concerns Cowboys fans may have regarding the return of the star cornerback. In contrast, Jeudy has struggled to surpass the 1,000-yard mark during his four years in Denver, with last season being particularly disappointing for the once-promising Alabama talent. He concluded the season with only two touchdowns and 54 receptions for 758 yards. This underperformance led Denver to trade Jeudy for two late-round draft picks. Cleveland fans are eager to see how he integrates into the Browns’ offense, as this will be his first significant challenge.

Conclusion:
In a direct comparison between Lamb and Cooper, it is reasonable to conclude that Lamb is the winner in this matchup. The contest between Cooks and Jeudy may be somewhat more competitive; however, Cooks boasts two 1,000-yard seasons in the previous four years, while Jeudy has not achieved this milestone. Additionally, Cooks recorded four times as many touchdowns as Jeudy last season, despite having fewer receiving yards.
Win: Cowboys

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TIGHT END

Jake Ferguson vs. David Njoku

Last year’s big question at tight end turned out to be a big hit with Jake Ferguson. This season, Ferguson is anticipated to make another notable impact and is well-positioned to establish a new benchmark. Currently, he serves as the second receiver for Dallas. However, he faces a challenging matchup this week. The Browns allowed the fewest yards to tight ends last season, showcasing a commendable defensive effort in that area of the field. Ferguson has developed into a reliable target for Dak Prescott, concluding the season with 71 receptions for 761 yards and five touchdowns. While there may be limited opportunities for Ferguson to enhance his statistics, especially with the other wide receivers improving during the preseason, he is expected to remain a key component of the Dallas passing game this week.

Njoku has not participated in practice and his availability for this weekend’s game remains uncertain. He missed last week due to injury and was absent this week for other reasons, so monitor his status closely. In 2023, during his seventh season in the NFL, Njoku excelled, achieving new personal bests with 81 receptions, 882 receiving yards, and six touchdowns. However, his performance was significantly better with Joe Flacco as quarterback compared to Deshaun Watson and other quarterbacks. In the six games he played alongside Flacco, including the playoffs, Njoku averaged 6.2 receptions per game and 80.5 receiving yards per game, along with four touchdown receptions. Conversely, in the 11 games with quarterbacks other than Flacco, he averaged 4.6 receptions and 44.7 receiving yards per game, and only two touchdown receptions. In the five complete games Watson played, Njoku averaged four receptions and 35.2 receiving yards per game, with only one touchdown. Njoku is recognized as one of the most athletic tight ends in the league, but the question of whether he can achieve similar success with Watson as he did with Flacco remains to be seen.

Conclusion:
Jake Ferguson has proven to be an invaluable safety valve for this offense, and Dak has a strong preference for targeting his tight ends. This positions Ferguson to be prominently involved in the game, provided he can evade a formidable secondary that excels in defending against tight ends. While Njoku possesses both talent and experience, a significant concern for him lies in the performance of Watson and the frequency with which he is targeted by a quarterback who rarely focuses on that position.
Win: Push

OFFENSIVE LINE

The introduction of two new rookies and Terence Steele’s continued recovery from injury raises significant questions as the team prepares to face a defense that ranked sixth in sacks last season. The outcome of this game for Dallas largely depends on the effectiveness of the offensive line in preventing Myles Garrett from exerting his influence. The success of the Browns’ defense is fundamentally linked to Garrett and the performance of their defensive line. If the Cowboys’ offensive line can secure more victories than defeats in their matchups, it will significantly enhance Dallas’ chances of winning. However, this remains a considerable uncertainty at this stage.

Cleveland, on the other hand, must contend with the formidable presence of Micah Parsons, emphasizing the importance of dominating the line of scrimmage as a critical strategy for success with both teams. A potential advantage for Cleveland lies in the uncertainties surrounding the Cowboys’ defensive line. Should the Browns’ offensive line manage to overpower and intimidate the remaining members of the Cowboys’ defensive front, it could lead to a challenging situation for Dallas. On the reverse of that, however, is the uncertainty of the Browns tackles, both of which return from knee injuries. Both team’s offensive lines face questions regarding their run-blocking capabilities, but if Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe can fulfill their expected roles as dominant forces in the running game, it could herald an exciting new time for the Cowboys’ front five.
Win: Push