Garrett Destroys 'Clowns On TV' for Dak Criticisms; Cowboys 3 Trends

How good is it to have Dallas Cowboys football back? Mike McCarthy's lame-duck season has begun in the best possible - and least lame! - way, with a 33-17 road win against the Cleveland Browns .

Dallas' brutal first-half display on both sides of the ball led to a 20-3 half-time lead, and the Cowboys simply cruised in the second half after KaVantae Turpin's 60-yard kick return touchdown ended the game as a contest.

With the good vibes flowing after Dak Prescott's new contract was finally announced, the Cowboys obliterated Cleveland. ... causing former Dallas coach Jason Garrett, working on NBC's "Sunday Night Football,'' to rip into his dopey critics.

"Dak,'' Garrett said, "just plays the game at a high level. I hear these clowns on TV say he's overrated, (that) he's not in the top 10. Watch the game! He's an incredible football player. Great leader for that team."

Wow.

Prior to the game, we chose three things to look for in the season opener - let's see how we did.

1. How comfortable is Dak in 'Texas Coast Offense'?

In short, really comfortable.

In the first-half mauling, Dak completed 14 of his 21 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown as he sprayed the ball around to CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks.

Prescott would lead a 10-play, 70-yard touchdown drive and a 13-play, 74-yard touchdown drive in the first half as the Cowboys raced out to a 20-3 lead.

Dak turned game manager during the second half, but he looked dialed in when the game was up for grabs, just as the now-highest-paid quarterback in football (four years and $240 million! ) should play.

And Jason Garrett's smart, passionate words are worth paying attention to.

2. Does Ezekiel Elliott still have "it"?

If Zeke's hurdle on the game's first play didn't tell you he meant business, then we don't know what will.

In the first half, Elliott was solid in the backfield, totaling 35 yards and a touchdown from eight carries while also having one reception for nine yards.

While Zeke only had two more carries for five yards in the second half (finished with 40 yards on 10 carries), he showed enough to think that perhaps there's life in those aging legs.

It is one game, but there's still a spark from Zeke.

Related: Class Dismissed: Cowboys School Browns in Opener

3. Can Mike Zimmer's defense hold up?

Boy, did they. Whew.

Mike Zimmer and this Cowboys defense, particularly in the first half, smothered the Browns to the point where boos rang out across the stadium.

Dallas kept Cleveland to just 54 total yards and 0/6 on third down in the first half in what was a complete demolition. Caelen Carson held up reasonably well with Browns coach Kevin Stefanski clearly wanting to test the rookie early on.

Micah Parsons (one sack) and DeMarcus Lawrence (two sacks) terrorized Cleveland's offensive line, along with two interceptions, one from Eric Kendricks and one from Trevon Diggs (because, of course), put an exclamation mark on a superb day's work.

It is one game, but goodness me, it's one hell of a marker to lay down. ... as Dallas took care of the Browns ... and the clowns.