Open in App
  • Local
  • U.S.
  • Election
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Education
  • Real Estate
  • Newsletter
  • Athlon Sports

    Dog Walked! Grades For Cowboys After Browns Mauling

    By Adam Schultz,

    7 hours ago

    Well, that's one way to start the football season. The Dallas Cowboys rolled into Cleveland and took the Browns' soul in a 33-17 demolition of Kevin Stefanski's team.

    In what was a scintillating first half, the Cowboys took the Browns' lunch money and made them submit in a devastating showing on both sides of the ball.

    Dak Prescott (19/32, 179 yards, 1 TD), Ezekiel Elliott (10 att, 40 yards, 1 TD), Brandin Cooks (4 rec, 40 yards, 1 TD), and CeeDee Lamb (5 rec, 61 yards) were the stars on offense.

    Defensively, Mike Zimmer was in his bag the entire game, giving Deshaun Watson nightmares and keeping the Browns offense to just 230 total yards.

    We highlighted five keys to win for the Cowboys as they began their lame-duck season on the road, so, how did they do?

    1. Curtail Myles Garrett : PASS

    In the first half, the offensive held Garrett in check, aside from forced a fumble after blowing past Tyler Guyton in the second quarter which Dallas recovered.

    Garrett would finish the game with one sack and two tackles, as he wasn't allowed to wreck the game. With two rookie offensive linemen, that's a big tick.

    2. Limit penalties : FAIL

    Dallas' opening couple of offensive drives had a familiar feel, with two penalties on the first two drives seemingly setting the tone. But Dallas steadied and only had four penalties for 30 yards in the first half compared to Cleveland's seven for 39 yards.

    The second half was a little different as the Cowboys ended with 11 penalties for 85 yards, which won't please Mike McCarthy and Mike Zimmer.

    They got the win, but there's plenty to clean up.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1dS846_0vPPFEyz00

    © Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

    3. Stop the run: PASS

    In the first half, the Cowboys' defense kept the Browns' rushing attack to just 23 yards from six carries, as it was nearly impossible for Cleveland's offense to get anything going through the air or on the ground.

    Zimmer's defense would give up only 93 yards on the ground as his unit tore the Browns offense to pieces. While yes, things relaxed a bit in the second half, but the damage was already done.

    4. Get Dak Prescott/CeeDee Lamb connection cooking early: PASS

    It appears that McCarthy got the message. In the first quarter, Lamb totaled 58 yards from four receptions, including an incredible one-handed catch.

    If that wasn't enough, Lamb also had two rushing attempts for 22 yards. Such was the Cowboys' defensive stranglehold on the Browns, Dak and the offense could get into their bag.

    While Lamb would only have one catch after the first quarter, it was when the game was there to be won, Prescott and Lamb helped take the game away.

    Related: Cowboys Bludgeon Bumbling Browns: Top 10 Whitty Observations

    5. Let the "assassin" loose on Browns' O-Line: PASS

    When Watson sleeps tonight, he'll see Parsons in his nightmares. Micah was a menace, getting a sack and tipping a Watson pass that Eric Kendricks intercepted.

    Micah lived in the Cleveland backfield in the first half as he wreaked havoc, consistently getting in the face of Watson and getting him off schedule.

    In what was a battle of two Defensive Player of the Year candidates, Micah won it at a canter.

    Expand All
    Comments / 0
    Add a Comment
    YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
    Local Dallas, TX newsLocal Dallas, TX
    Most Popular newsMost Popular

    Comments / 0