An offseason of Cleveland Browns optimism was promptly snuffed out by the visiting Dallas Cowboys in the NFL opener at Huntington Bank Field Sunday afternoon. Cleveland entered the game hoping to improve on a second playoff appearance in four seasons, but Dallas showed the Browns just how far they have left with a dominating performance in a 33-17 victory.
Cleveland still can’t get a handle on whether quarterback Deshaun Watson is a bust or can’t find any luck since coming to the Browns. After missing the bulk of the 2023 season due to a shoulder injury, Watson was back healthy but missing two of his key offensive linemen, Jedrick Willis and Jack Conklin, who were ruled out of the game due to knee injuries.
Cleveland Browns Score First, Succumb to Fierce Cowboys Attack
The Cleveland Browns were greeted by a wild, capacity home crowd anxious to see the team prove they belong among the AFC contenders. The game started well, with a ferocious Browns defense stopping Dallas on the opening possession before mustering up a field goal by Dustin Hopkins to cap their initial drive.
However, Hopkins’ 46-yard scoring kick was to be the Browns’ highlight of the day. Staked to an initial 3-0 lead, it was all downhill for Cleveland. On the next drive, the Cowboys engineered a 10-play, 70-yard scoring drive capped off by a 21-yard lob touchdown pass from quarterback Dak Prescott to wide receiver Brandin Cooks that gave Dallas a lead it did not relinquish at 7-3. Without Conklin or Willis guarding his flank, Watson found precious little time to direct the Cleveland Browns offense.
He often scampered for his life, showing little of the scrambling ability he was known for with the Houston Texans. With Watson and the Browns offense falling limp in the face of a fierce Cowboys pass rush, all Cleveland could muster up was four punts and one interception for the remainder of the first half.
Dallas Seizes Control as Cleveland Browns Haplessly Look On
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Cleveland’s inability to move the ball and Dallas wearing the host defense down pushed the game out of reach for the Browns. Cowboys running back Zeke Elliott celebrated his return to Dallas with a three-yard touchdown run before kicker Brandon Aubrey boomed a pair of long-distance field goals to stake the visitors to a 30-3 halftime lead. The second half didn’t get any better for the Browns, in fact it was a near-replay of the first 30 minutes. KaVonte Turpin all-but ended the game by returning a punt 60 yards for a Dallas touchdown to open the third quarter scoring.
Cleveland finally found the end zone as Watson hit wideout Jerry Jeudy on a 6-yard touchdown pass that gave the Browns brief hope. It would not last. Two more Aubrey field goals put the game out of reach long before Browns running back Jerome Ford lumbered in on a two-yard touchdown run with the game long out of reach to bring the score to the eventual final of 33-17.
The Cleveland Browns will now lick their wounds, pray for the health of Conklin and Willis, and look to get back on the right track in a road game at Jacksonville next Sunday.
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