Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns: Preview and Predictions
By Reid Hanson
The 6-1 Dallas Cowboys travel to the city of Cleveland to take on the 0-8 Browns in this match-up of opposites. What are we predicting?
The NFC leading Dallas Cowboys are on a role. Winners of the last six, Dallas will face a winless Browns team desperate to stop the bleeding. Coming off an enormous overtime win over the Philadelphia Eagles, the Cowboys face a potential “trap game” this afternoon.
Will the Cowboys fall victim to the trap or will they keep the pedal down and roll over the hapless Browns? Sport DFW discusses…
Reid Hanson, Sport DFW
Cowboys teams of the past may have been trapped by the prospect of a game like this but the 2016 Dallas Cowboys are not those teams. Wise beyond their years, the 2016 Cowboys will look to make a statement against the Browns and do what good teams do to bad teams — win big.
The Browns running game, led by Isaiah Crowell, is nothing to scoff at. Crowell has established himself as one of the better young runners in the NFL and can be an absolute load to bring down. The Cowboys have been surprisingly good in the run-stopping department this season and should be able to keep the 12th ranked rushing attack under control for most of the afternoon.
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The Cleveland passing game is ranked 21st in the NFL (only one spot below the Cowboys) and will surely take some shots against the depleted Cowboys secondary. The Cowboys will focus most of their resources toward stopping the big play and continuing their bend but don’t break strategy.
I expect the game to start fairly slowly, as the Cowboys methodically build a lead, and the flood gates to open in the second half with some big plays.
The Cleveland defense is last in the NFL in yards allowed and the Cowboys will take advantage of that through the air and on the ground.
Ezekiel Elliott will get over 100 yards again and the Cowboys will take my advice and get Alfred Morris more involved in the running game as well. Dak Prescott will have a bounce-back performance and the winning streak will continue.
Dallas: 34 Cleveland: 17
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Dink Kearney, Sport DFW
The Dallas Cowboys are on a six game winning streak and have been very impressive with every win, even in last week’s come from behind overtime victory over the hated Eagles.
Dallas will improve their winning streak to seven as they keep the hapless Cleveland Browns winless.
Dak Prescott will bounce back from a mediocre performance and continue to state his case as the Cowboys permanent signal caller. Dak will spread the ball around and hit Dez Bryant, Cole Beasley, and Jason Witten for a few touchdowns and expect Beasley to catch more passes than last week.
Zeke Elliott will have a career day rushing and catching the ball, as he scores a few touchdowns himself. Dallas will exploit the Browns weaknesses and dominate them in all facets of the game.
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If the Cowboys dominate this game, it’ll show more about their mental fortitude and preparation than anything else. All I can say is watch out Pittsburgh Steelers!
Dallas Cowboys 38 Cleveland Browns 14