Cowboys, Browns, Look to Avoid 0-1
(Sports Network) - The Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns will be entering the 2008 NFL season with very high expectations, but only one of those playoff hopefuls will be getting off to a desired start at the conclusion of Sunday's intriguing interconference battle from Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Both the Cowboys and Browns posted double-digit win totals in 2007, and each team's otherwise successful season had an early and unwanted ending as well.
Cleveland's 10-6 record was a surprising and encouraging performance for a franchise that had won 10 games total in head coach Romeo Crennel's first two seasons at the helm, but that mark still wasn't quite enough to get the Browns into the playoffs in a well-stocked AFC.
Dallas steamrolled its way to a 13-3 ledger during the regular season, the Cowboys' best record since their Super Bowl champion squad of 1992, and entered the postseason as the favorite to represent the NFC in last year's Big Game. The return to glory was put on hold, however, with a stinging 21-17 home defeat to the rival New York Giants in January's Divisional round.
That shocking loss did nothing to diminish Dallas' status as the expected class of the conference heading into this season. Last year's Cowboys sent a record 13 players to the Pro Bowl, all of whom will be in uniform on Sunday, and that enviable collection of talent will make anything short of a Super Bowl trip considered a gross underachievement in the public eye.
Dallas didn't do more than fine-tune the roster from last season, with the notable exception of bringing in controversial cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones in a draft-day trade with Tennessee. The talented but troublesome fourth-year pro sat out the entire 2007 campaign under suspension for repeated violations of the NFL's personal conduct policy, but was reinstated by commissioner Roger Goodell shortly after the final batch of preseason games.
Cleveland, on the other hand, was quite active during the offseason in an attempt to improve on last year's breakthrough. Most of general manager Phil Savage's moves were fixated on upgrading the club's biggest weakness in 2007, a leaky defense that surrendered the third-most yards in the league and ranked a woeful 27th against the run.
Savage dealt away both his second- and third-round selections in April's draft to acquire a pair of impact defensive linemen, former Green Bay end Corey Williams and ex-Lions nose tackle Shaun Rogers, a two-time Pro Bowl honoree whose play hasn't always matched his immense potential.
The Browns' new-look stop unit figures to be challenged from the get-go, since Dallas' offense piled up the second-most points and third-highest yardage total in the NFL last year.
SERIES HISTORY
Cleveland leads the all-time regular season series with Dallas, 15-10, but was a 19-12 road loser in the last such meeting, in Week 2 of the 2004 season. The Browns won the previous matchup, a 19-14 affair in Big D in 1994. Dallas was a 26-14 victor when it last visited Cleveland, in 1991. The Browns' most recent home win over the Cowboys occurred in 1988.
Cleveland also owns a 2-1 lead in the all-time postseason series with Dallas, with all three of those meetings occurring between 1967 and 1969. The Cowboys defeated the Browns in the '67 playoffs, while the Browns were triumphant the next two seasons.
Dallas head coach Wade Phillips is 2-0 all-time against Cleveland, with both of those games dating back to his tenure with the Broncos (1993-1994). Crennel will be meeting both Phillips and the Cowboys for the first time as a head coach.
WHEN THE COWBOYS HAVE THE BALL
Dallas boasts the ability to break down an opposing defense with both a devastating passing attack and a running game that can be punishing at times. The Cowboys are clearly more dangerous through the air, however, with quarterback Tony Romo skillfully utilizing the talents of All-Pros Terrell Owens and Jason Witten to form one of the league's most productive passing offenses. Romo shattered long-standing franchise records by amassing 4,211 passing yards and 36 touchdown tosses in 2007, while his 97.4 quarterback rating was tops in the NFC. Fifteen of those scoring strikes landed in the arms of wide receiver Owens (81 receptions, 1355 yards), a six-time Pro Bowler showing no signs of slowing down at age 34. Witten was equally as important a weapon last season, as the premier tight end established career highs of 96 catches and 1,145 receiving yards. Wideout Patrick Crayton (50 receptions, 7 TD) emerged as a capable complement to Owens last year, but the Cowboys will be entering Sunday's tussle without an established No. 3 receiver. Top candidates Sam Hurd (19 receptions, 1 TD) and Miles Austin (5 receptions) are both currently sidelined with injuries, which puts the onus on untested second-year pro Isaiah Stanback. He is dealing with a dislocated shoulder as well, but is expected to suit up for the opener.
The Cowboys have used a two-man tandem at running back over the last few years, but 2007 leading rusher Marion Barber (975 rushing yards, 12 total TD) will likely shoulder more of the load this year after backfield mate Julius Jones departed for Seattle via free agency. The 225-pound Barber excels in short yardage situations and also plays a key role in the passing game, as evidenced by the 44 passes he hauled in while sharing time last season. Speedy rookie Felix Jones, one of Dallas' two first-round picks in April's draft, takes over the change-of-pace role. The duo will be running behind a decorated line that had three Pro Bowl performers a year ago, but will be without regular left guard Kyle Kosier, who's out with a sprained right foot.
After watching his team get routinely gashed on the ground last season, Savage went out and got some needed beef along the front line with the trades for the 350-pound Rogers (39 tackles, 7 sacks, 1 INT) and the 320-pound Williams (35 tackles, 7 sacks, 1 INT) to anchor Cleveland's three-man front. Those two should allow the solid inside linebacker duo of D'Qwell Jackson (101 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT) and Andra Davis (67 tackles) to be more effective as well. The Browns do possess a good run-stopping strong safety in Sean Jones (96 tackles, 5 INT, 0.5 sacks), who's also the top ball hawk of a shaky secondary.
Owens, Witten and Crayton may be licking their chops at the thought of going up against a Browns defensive backfield that enters the season littered with question marks. Cleveland traded its best cover man, Leigh Bodden, to Detroit to obtain Rogers and projected nickel back Daven Holly is out for the year after tearing up his knee in minicamp. Starting corners Eric Wright (76 tackles, 1 INT, 11 PD) and Brandon McDonald (24 tackles, 2 INT) are both second-year players who are still learning on the job, while ex-Dolphins castoff Travis Daniels (28 tackles, 1 INT) will likely open up as the nickel man. With free safety Brodney Pool (58 tackles, 2 INT) questionable for the game due to a concussion, Crennel may have an additional worry come Sunday. The Browns also mustered a meager 28 sacks in 2007 and need a return to form from outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley (51 tackles, 4 forced fumbles), who got to the quarterback just five times last season after compiling 11 sacks during a tremendous rookie year in 2006.
WHEN THE BROWNS HAVE THE BALL
Cleveland does have the playmakers to match the Cowboys' firepower on offense, as wide receiver Braylon Edwards (80 receptions, 1289 yards) and tight end Kellen Winslow (82 receptions, 1106 yards, 5 TD) are two of the best in the league at their positions. Both benefited greatly from the unexpected coming of age of quarterback Derek Anderson, who earned a Pro Bowl nod last season after throwing for 3,787 yards and 29 touchdowns while directing the NFL's 12th-rated passing offense (232.9 ypg). The fourth-year signal-caller did endure a concussion in the second preseason game, but has been cleared for the opener. Edwards, whose 16 touchdown grabs in 2007 were the second-most in the NFL, also missed time with a lacerated foot but should be fine on Sunday. Anderson will have another deep threat at his disposal this season with the free-agent signing of ex-Patriot Donte Stallworth (46 receptions, 3 TD), although he'll be without reliable possession target Joe Jurevicius (50 receptions, 3 TD), who's currently on the PUP list with a knee injury. The strong-armed triggerman is usually well-protected by a high-quality offensive line that yielded a mere 13 sacks in his 15 starts last year.
Anderson will attempt to bomb away at a Dallas secondary that is considerably deeper this season due to the acquisition of Adam Jones and the selection of South Florida cornerback Mike Jenkins in the first round of April's draft. Those two should see plenty of time in nickel situations along with regular corners Terence Newman (50 tackles, 4 INT, 13 PD) and one-time Brown Anthony Henry (36 tackles, 13 PD), the team's leader with six interceptions a year ago. Newman and standout free safety Ken Hamlin (62 tackles, 5 INT, 15 PD) both earned trips to the Pro Bowl following excellent 2007 campaigns. The backfield is complemented nicely by the Cowboys' fierce pass-rushing combo of outside linebackers DeMarcus Ware (84 tackles, 14 sacks) and Greg Ellis (31 tackles, 12.5 sacks), the primary reasons why Dallas finished third in the NFL with 46 sacks last season.
The Cowboys were stout against the run as well last year, ranking sixth overall with an average of 94.6 yards per game allowed on the ground. That fine showing didn't stop Dallas from bolstering the front seven with the offseason signing of seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker Zach Thomas (52 tackles, 1 sack), who will team with leading tackler Bradie James (101 tackles, 3 sacks) as the interior core of the club's 3-4 scheme. Strong safety Roy Williams (92 tackles, 2 INT) had his struggles in coverage last season, but remains a high- caliber defender in run support.
Cleveland's sturdy offensive line also paved the way for a resurgent 2007 season from running back Jamal Lewis (1304 rushing yards, 30 receptions, 11 total TD), who delivered his highest yardage total since 2003. The powerful veteran has been dealing with a hamstring issue recently, which could mean an increased role from shifty backup Jerome Harrison (142 rushing yards) on Sunday. The undersized third-year pro averaged an impressive 6.2 yards per carry in spot duty last year. The Browns, who were 10th in the league in rushing offense (118.4 ypg) in 2007, will have one change up front for the opener, as seasoned reserve Seth McKinney is slated to start for injured incumbent Ryan Tucker (hip surgery) at right guard.
FANTASY FOCUS
Fantasy players will likely be watching this nationally-televised broadcast very closely, as both teams offer a wealth of premier point-producers on offense that should have a great impact on the outcome of the opening-week games. Romo, Owens, Witten and Barber all have the potential for huge days against Cleveland's questionable defense, and Crayton's certainly worth a play as well as a second receiver or flex player. Edwards and Winslow are a pair of fantasy studs on the Browns' side and should be used in all formats, but Anderson and Lewis owners may want to temper their optimism a bit this week. Lewis' nagging hamstring could mean a reduced workload for the bruising back, and the potential exists for Cleveland falling behind early and having to air it out a lot in the second half. That scenario would benefit Anderson's numbers, but his recent concussion and a matchup against a ball-hawking Dallas secondary are both somewhat concerning. The Cowboys should have one of the better fantasy defenses in 2008, but it's hard to expect the unit to put up big point totals against a Cleveland team that can light up the scoreboard.
OVERALL ANALYSIS
Time will tell whether each of these highly-touted teams will live up to their preseason hype, but the Cowboys present the best chance of stamping themselves as a legitimate Super Bowl threat on Sunday. Dallas has less glaring weaknesses than the Browns as well as fewer injury concerns, and Cleveland's shaky pass defense doesn't figure to present much of a challenge to the Cowboys' dangerous aerial attack. The Browns were an excellent home team in 2007, however, and certainly possess enough talent on offense to compete with Dallas in a shootout. Anderson can be a hot-and-cold quarterback, though, and the thinking here is he'll make one or two costly mistakes that will turn a potentially close game into an early statement victory for the Cowboys.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Cowboys 31, Browns 19
Both the Cowboys and Browns posted double-digit win totals in 2007, and each team's otherwise successful season had an early and unwanted ending as well.
Cleveland's 10-6 record was a surprising and encouraging performance for a franchise that had won 10 games total in head coach Romeo Crennel's first two seasons at the helm, but that mark still wasn't quite enough to get the Browns into the playoffs in a well-stocked AFC.
Dallas steamrolled its way to a 13-3 ledger during the regular season, the Cowboys' best record since their Super Bowl champion squad of 1992, and entered the postseason as the favorite to represent the NFC in last year's Big Game. The return to glory was put on hold, however, with a stinging 21-17 home defeat to the rival New York Giants in January's Divisional round.
That shocking loss did nothing to diminish Dallas' status as the expected class of the conference heading into this season. Last year's Cowboys sent a record 13 players to the Pro Bowl, all of whom will be in uniform on Sunday, and that enviable collection of talent will make anything short of a Super Bowl trip considered a gross underachievement in the public eye.
Dallas didn't do more than fine-tune the roster from last season, with the notable exception of bringing in controversial cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones in a draft-day trade with Tennessee. The talented but troublesome fourth-year pro sat out the entire 2007 campaign under suspension for repeated violations of the NFL's personal conduct policy, but was reinstated by commissioner Roger Goodell shortly after the final batch of preseason games.
Cleveland, on the other hand, was quite active during the offseason in an attempt to improve on last year's breakthrough. Most of general manager Phil Savage's moves were fixated on upgrading the club's biggest weakness in 2007, a leaky defense that surrendered the third-most yards in the league and ranked a woeful 27th against the run.
Savage dealt away both his second- and third-round selections in April's draft to acquire a pair of impact defensive linemen, former Green Bay end Corey Williams and ex-Lions nose tackle Shaun Rogers, a two-time Pro Bowl honoree whose play hasn't always matched his immense potential.
The Browns' new-look stop unit figures to be challenged from the get-go, since Dallas' offense piled up the second-most points and third-highest yardage total in the NFL last year.
SERIES HISTORY
Cleveland leads the all-time regular season series with Dallas, 15-10, but was a 19-12 road loser in the last such meeting, in Week 2 of the 2004 season. The Browns won the previous matchup, a 19-14 affair in Big D in 1994. Dallas was a 26-14 victor when it last visited Cleveland, in 1991. The Browns' most recent home win over the Cowboys occurred in 1988.
Cleveland also owns a 2-1 lead in the all-time postseason series with Dallas, with all three of those meetings occurring between 1967 and 1969. The Cowboys defeated the Browns in the '67 playoffs, while the Browns were triumphant the next two seasons.
Dallas head coach Wade Phillips is 2-0 all-time against Cleveland, with both of those games dating back to his tenure with the Broncos (1993-1994). Crennel will be meeting both Phillips and the Cowboys for the first time as a head coach.
WHEN THE COWBOYS HAVE THE BALL
Dallas boasts the ability to break down an opposing defense with both a devastating passing attack and a running game that can be punishing at times. The Cowboys are clearly more dangerous through the air, however, with quarterback Tony Romo skillfully utilizing the talents of All-Pros Terrell Owens and Jason Witten to form one of the league's most productive passing offenses. Romo shattered long-standing franchise records by amassing 4,211 passing yards and 36 touchdown tosses in 2007, while his 97.4 quarterback rating was tops in the NFC. Fifteen of those scoring strikes landed in the arms of wide receiver Owens (81 receptions, 1355 yards), a six-time Pro Bowler showing no signs of slowing down at age 34. Witten was equally as important a weapon last season, as the premier tight end established career highs of 96 catches and 1,145 receiving yards. Wideout Patrick Crayton (50 receptions, 7 TD) emerged as a capable complement to Owens last year, but the Cowboys will be entering Sunday's tussle without an established No. 3 receiver. Top candidates Sam Hurd (19 receptions, 1 TD) and Miles Austin (5 receptions) are both currently sidelined with injuries, which puts the onus on untested second-year pro Isaiah Stanback. He is dealing with a dislocated shoulder as well, but is expected to suit up for the opener.
The Cowboys have used a two-man tandem at running back over the last few years, but 2007 leading rusher Marion Barber (975 rushing yards, 12 total TD) will likely shoulder more of the load this year after backfield mate Julius Jones departed for Seattle via free agency. The 225-pound Barber excels in short yardage situations and also plays a key role in the passing game, as evidenced by the 44 passes he hauled in while sharing time last season. Speedy rookie Felix Jones, one of Dallas' two first-round picks in April's draft, takes over the change-of-pace role. The duo will be running behind a decorated line that had three Pro Bowl performers a year ago, but will be without regular left guard Kyle Kosier, who's out with a sprained right foot.
After watching his team get routinely gashed on the ground last season, Savage went out and got some needed beef along the front line with the trades for the 350-pound Rogers (39 tackles, 7 sacks, 1 INT) and the 320-pound Williams (35 tackles, 7 sacks, 1 INT) to anchor Cleveland's three-man front. Those two should allow the solid inside linebacker duo of D'Qwell Jackson (101 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT) and Andra Davis (67 tackles) to be more effective as well. The Browns do possess a good run-stopping strong safety in Sean Jones (96 tackles, 5 INT, 0.5 sacks), who's also the top ball hawk of a shaky secondary.
Owens, Witten and Crayton may be licking their chops at the thought of going up against a Browns defensive backfield that enters the season littered with question marks. Cleveland traded its best cover man, Leigh Bodden, to Detroit to obtain Rogers and projected nickel back Daven Holly is out for the year after tearing up his knee in minicamp. Starting corners Eric Wright (76 tackles, 1 INT, 11 PD) and Brandon McDonald (24 tackles, 2 INT) are both second-year players who are still learning on the job, while ex-Dolphins castoff Travis Daniels (28 tackles, 1 INT) will likely open up as the nickel man. With free safety Brodney Pool (58 tackles, 2 INT) questionable for the game due to a concussion, Crennel may have an additional worry come Sunday. The Browns also mustered a meager 28 sacks in 2007 and need a return to form from outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley (51 tackles, 4 forced fumbles), who got to the quarterback just five times last season after compiling 11 sacks during a tremendous rookie year in 2006.
WHEN THE BROWNS HAVE THE BALL
Cleveland does have the playmakers to match the Cowboys' firepower on offense, as wide receiver Braylon Edwards (80 receptions, 1289 yards) and tight end Kellen Winslow (82 receptions, 1106 yards, 5 TD) are two of the best in the league at their positions. Both benefited greatly from the unexpected coming of age of quarterback Derek Anderson, who earned a Pro Bowl nod last season after throwing for 3,787 yards and 29 touchdowns while directing the NFL's 12th-rated passing offense (232.9 ypg). The fourth-year signal-caller did endure a concussion in the second preseason game, but has been cleared for the opener. Edwards, whose 16 touchdown grabs in 2007 were the second-most in the NFL, also missed time with a lacerated foot but should be fine on Sunday. Anderson will have another deep threat at his disposal this season with the free-agent signing of ex-Patriot Donte Stallworth (46 receptions, 3 TD), although he'll be without reliable possession target Joe Jurevicius (50 receptions, 3 TD), who's currently on the PUP list with a knee injury. The strong-armed triggerman is usually well-protected by a high-quality offensive line that yielded a mere 13 sacks in his 15 starts last year.
Anderson will attempt to bomb away at a Dallas secondary that is considerably deeper this season due to the acquisition of Adam Jones and the selection of South Florida cornerback Mike Jenkins in the first round of April's draft. Those two should see plenty of time in nickel situations along with regular corners Terence Newman (50 tackles, 4 INT, 13 PD) and one-time Brown Anthony Henry (36 tackles, 13 PD), the team's leader with six interceptions a year ago. Newman and standout free safety Ken Hamlin (62 tackles, 5 INT, 15 PD) both earned trips to the Pro Bowl following excellent 2007 campaigns. The backfield is complemented nicely by the Cowboys' fierce pass-rushing combo of outside linebackers DeMarcus Ware (84 tackles, 14 sacks) and Greg Ellis (31 tackles, 12.5 sacks), the primary reasons why Dallas finished third in the NFL with 46 sacks last season.
The Cowboys were stout against the run as well last year, ranking sixth overall with an average of 94.6 yards per game allowed on the ground. That fine showing didn't stop Dallas from bolstering the front seven with the offseason signing of seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker Zach Thomas (52 tackles, 1 sack), who will team with leading tackler Bradie James (101 tackles, 3 sacks) as the interior core of the club's 3-4 scheme. Strong safety Roy Williams (92 tackles, 2 INT) had his struggles in coverage last season, but remains a high- caliber defender in run support.
Cleveland's sturdy offensive line also paved the way for a resurgent 2007 season from running back Jamal Lewis (1304 rushing yards, 30 receptions, 11 total TD), who delivered his highest yardage total since 2003. The powerful veteran has been dealing with a hamstring issue recently, which could mean an increased role from shifty backup Jerome Harrison (142 rushing yards) on Sunday. The undersized third-year pro averaged an impressive 6.2 yards per carry in spot duty last year. The Browns, who were 10th in the league in rushing offense (118.4 ypg) in 2007, will have one change up front for the opener, as seasoned reserve Seth McKinney is slated to start for injured incumbent Ryan Tucker (hip surgery) at right guard.
FANTASY FOCUS
Fantasy players will likely be watching this nationally-televised broadcast very closely, as both teams offer a wealth of premier point-producers on offense that should have a great impact on the outcome of the opening-week games. Romo, Owens, Witten and Barber all have the potential for huge days against Cleveland's questionable defense, and Crayton's certainly worth a play as well as a second receiver or flex player. Edwards and Winslow are a pair of fantasy studs on the Browns' side and should be used in all formats, but Anderson and Lewis owners may want to temper their optimism a bit this week. Lewis' nagging hamstring could mean a reduced workload for the bruising back, and the potential exists for Cleveland falling behind early and having to air it out a lot in the second half. That scenario would benefit Anderson's numbers, but his recent concussion and a matchup against a ball-hawking Dallas secondary are both somewhat concerning. The Cowboys should have one of the better fantasy defenses in 2008, but it's hard to expect the unit to put up big point totals against a Cleveland team that can light up the scoreboard.
OVERALL ANALYSIS
Time will tell whether each of these highly-touted teams will live up to their preseason hype, but the Cowboys present the best chance of stamping themselves as a legitimate Super Bowl threat on Sunday. Dallas has less glaring weaknesses than the Browns as well as fewer injury concerns, and Cleveland's shaky pass defense doesn't figure to present much of a challenge to the Cowboys' dangerous aerial attack. The Browns were an excellent home team in 2007, however, and certainly possess enough talent on offense to compete with Dallas in a shootout. Anderson can be a hot-and-cold quarterback, though, and the thinking here is he'll make one or two costly mistakes that will turn a potentially close game into an early statement victory for the Cowboys.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Cowboys 31, Browns 19
posted by The Gryphon at 10:06 PM
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