Dallas Cowboys vs. Cleveland Browns prediction | Who wins NFL Week 1 matchup

Another much-anticipated NFL season kicks off for the Browns on Sunday afternoon when the Dallas Cowboys visit Cleveland .

The Myles Garrett -led defense, which keyed Cleveland's return to the NFL playoffs last season, looks to remain among the league's elite . They get tested right away by a Cowboys team with high expectations .

Here's how our two writers who follow the Browns for us, Chris Easterling , Nate Ulrich and Dan Kadar , view the team's season opener.

Browns vs. Cowboys prediction: Who wins in NFL Week 1 Sunday afternoon?

EASTERLING: Deshaun Watson is going to have some rust. He's also going to have Micah Parsons chasing after him a bit. The Browns defense seems ready to make a statement early that they're just as good, if not better, that they were last season. It may not be as jaw-dropping as it was in last year's opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, but it should be enough to get the Browns out of the game 1-0. Browns 20, Cowboys 17

ULRICH: The rust factor could be significant for Cleveland. Quarterback Deshaun Watson is no stranger to using it as an excuse, and he hasn't played since Nov. 12. Other injuries kept the offensive line from being whole throughout training camp, and Watson's main targets were seldom on the field together this summer. Cowboys 20, Browns 17

KADAR: The Browns have plenty of concerns coming into the game, but so do the Cowboys. All-Pro cornerback DaRon Bland isn’t playing, and the team lost key defenders Dorance Armstrong and Stephon Gilmore. That’s in addition to defensive coordinator Dan Quinn becoming Washington's head coach . If Deshaun Watson is going to turn things around, he can start in this game. The Browns are a betting favorite for a reason. Browns 24, Cowboys 17

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Dallas Cowboys vs. Cleveland Browns prediction | Who wins NFL Week 1 matchup