Cowboys at Browns: Deshaun 'Promises' Super Bowl

FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys are about to turn their attention from training camp in Oxnard a Week 1 matchup in Cleveland against the Browns - an AFC team that views itself as a contender.

Just how much do they believe in that view? So much that QB Deshaun Watson is (sort of) "promising'' a Super Bowl.

Of course, before any of that can happen for a Browns franchise that has never celebrated a Super Bowl and that hasn't won a title since 1964, they've got to get Watson's head and his body right.

Both of those areas have been problematic for him since the monster trade from Houston two years ago. And even this week, as Cleveland sets to close its preseason schedule, Watson is nursing a "soreness'' issue that limited him in practice on Wednesday.

As coach Kevin Stefanski later revealed following practice, Watson - a full participant since the start of training camp after last season's shoulder injury - was held out of practice due to arm soreness.

"I decided to hold back a little bit with him, but not overly concerned," Stefanski said. "He could have gone. He's feeling fine."

If Watson can recapture what he was in Houston? His recent prediction - in fairness uttered not in a standard press conference setting but rather talking to teenagers at a 7-on-7 youth football tournament - might have some validity.

"I'm gonna get ya'll that Super Bowl," he said. "We're gonna make that happen.''

Related: 'Spider-Lamb!' Cowboys & CeeDee 'Promising Talks'?

The Browns, of course, pulled the trigger on a blockbuster trade that brought Watson to town in exchange for a haul of draft picks. The former Houston Texans No. 1 draft pick then signed a long-term, fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million deal with the team.

Since then, Watson has appeared in just 12 out of a possible 34 games due to suspensions and injuries and has failed to perform well when he's been available.

The Dallas matchup in Week 1 could be a good benchmark not just for Watson, but for the Browns as a team against an NFC powerhouse. The Dak Prescott-led Cowboys face the Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sept. 8 to kick off the regular season. ... and so yes, maybe somebody's Super Bowl run begins right there.