Micah's Cowboys at Browns: Is Deshaun Really 'Under the Radar'?

FRISCO - It's Sunday Week 1 and this is FOX's "Game of the Week'' for a very specific reason ... and that reason ain't the Cleveland Browns.

Maybe that's how Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson can get away with trying to characterize his team and his situation as "under the radar.''

But while the Dallas Cowboys are the driving force here in viewership - and with even Tom Brady's TV debut probably drawing at least as many eyeballs as the Browns themselves - no, Deshaun ... you will not be able to sneak about the newly named "Cleveland Browns Huntington Bank Field'' unnoticed.

Watson will begin his third season in Cleveland hoping to put the previous two behind him. What's he accomplished there since the incredible trade from the Houston Texans that helped that team rebuild in such a hurry, with multiple premium picks?

He's totaled 12 games played due to suspensions and injuries. That's right, 12 games in two years.

Watson spent this past offseason recovering from his latest injury (shoulder) that ended his 2023 early, but he appears healed and - on paper - fully capable of getting back to the Pro Bowl form he displayed in Houston.

Still, given the injury history and record of questionable play in Cleveland - which made the playoffs last year in a shocker as they needed to use a total of five QBs to do it - it's no wonder the Browns are being overlooked by some.

“Fine with us,” Watson said. “Perfect. We’re just going to go under the radar and work. That’s all we can do.”

Related: Cowboys' 'Assassin' Micah 'More Than Ready!' For Browns Test

The Cowboys, of course, don't view Watson and the Browns as being "under the radar.'' Dallas recognizes the threat of Watson and his offense, keyed by ex-Dallas wideout Amari Cooper. And led by Myles Garrett - who seems likely to spend the year going neck-and-neck with Cowboys stud Micah Parsons for Defensive Player of the Year honors - the Browns might boast the NFL's best D.

Overlook all of that, starting way back with Watson having signed a fully guaranteed $230 million deal in 2022, which is likely to be mentioned this weekend right along with Dak Prescott's contract situation? Nah.

Oh, and Dallas overlooking the fact that Watson's Browns are 2.5-point favorites on Sunday? No, the Cowboys won't view that as an "under-the-radar'' issue, either.