CLEVELAND, Ohio: Later this week on Sunday, September 8, the Cleveland Browns will host the Dallas Cowboys, bringing America’s team to the shores of Lake Erie. Major third-party websites are still selling tickets online for this season-opening match.
At Cleveland, Ohio’s freshly renamed Huntington Bank Field, the NFC East champions and the Browns will square off at 4:25 p.m. Eastern.
An overview of the game
The Browns are coming off an exciting 11-6 season in 2023 that included Joe Flacco’s comeback and concluded with a crushing loss to the Houston Texans in the AFC Wild Card game.
Kevin Stefanski, the two-time Coach of the Year and current leader, is hoping to invigorate an offensive that has lagged for years.
Nick Chubb is expected to return at some point this season following his season-ending leg injury, while Deshuan Watson is back after missing the entire preseason due to a shoulder injury sustained last season. The primary running back will once again be Jerome Ford, who finished with 204 carries for 813 yards and four touchdowns. Pierre Strong Jr. and D’Onta Foreman are also anticipated to contribute.
Star wide receiver Amari Cooper is part of the strengthened receiving core. With 72 receptions for 1,250 yards and seven touchdowns in the previous season, Cooper led the Browns.
The primary addition is Jerry Jeudy, a former receiver for the Denver Broncos. During the previous season, he caught 54 passes for 758 yards and two scores. Jamari Thrash, a rookie, made waves in preseason action and has the potential to develop into a significant downfield danger.
tense conclusion David Njoku had a career-high 81 receptions for 882 yards and six scores in the previous campaign. Those are all career-high stats.
The Browns defense, led by Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, hopes to maintain its explosive play, particularly at home. Last season, Cleveland had an 8-1 home record.
Jim Scwartz’s group includes young talent Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Dalvin Tomlinson in addition to Garrett’s intimidating presence. With exceptional play from Denzel Ward, exceptional Martin Emerson Jr., Greg Newsome II, Grant Delpit, and Juan Thornhill, the secondary is extremely dangerous.
Following a humiliating defensive display against the Green Bay Packers in the 2023 Wild Card game, the Cowboys begin the next season. Their humiliation, 48–32, sent supporters into yet another protracted offseason.
Dallas will once again be led by Dak Prescott. Following a stellar season with 4,516 yards, 36 touchdowns, and nine interceptions, the much criticized quarterback is in good form.
CeeDee Lamb, his top receiver target, is a treasure. Lamb finished the previous season as one of the league’s top receivers with 135 grabs for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns. Within the core group, Jalen Tolbert and Brandin Cooks will also have a significant influence.
Dallas decided to bring Ezekiel Elliott back for a second term after parting ways with Tony Pollard. The Cowboys took a chance on former Minnesota Vikings phenom Dalvin Cook during the preseason, which resulted in an intriguing combination of former studs in Dallas’ backfield. Nine out of the previous 11 seasons have seen a 1,000-yard rusher for the Cowboys offense.
Leading what is anticipated to be one of the league’s fiercest defenses is Micah Parson. Parsons finished the previous season with 64 total tackles, 14 sacks, and one forced fumble. Last season, Damone Clark led the Cowboys in solo tackles with 68.
Due to foot surgery, DaRon Bland, who last year set the NFL single-season record with five interceptions returned for touchdowns (a total of nine interceptions), will miss the opening game.
A star-studded opener unlike any other in Browns history is coming up.
