The Cleveland Browns season-opening loss left a lot to be desired as they fell 33-17 at home to the Dallas Cowboys. The game started and ended rough, and there are even more questions now for the orange and brown.
The Browns hung around early in the second half and had their only solid offensive drive of the game. The season-opening loss featured a lot of mistakes and missed opportunities. To keep it simple, they were flat-out outplayed and outcoached.
As with any loss, the blame can be placed on a variety of factors and players. This one is no different; here are a few letdowns from the Browns season-opening loss.
Three Letdowns from Browns’ Season-Opening Loss
The Offensive Line
The Browns entered the game with injuries on the offensive line and it showed. The season-opening loss was as bad for the line as anyone else.
Both Jack Conklin and Jedrick Wills Jr. were inactive after battling to be healthy and ready to play all week. James Hudson III got the start at left tackle, and the rest was history.
HERE COMES THE 🦁
Micah Parsons with his first sack of the year! #DallasCowboys
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/BJZJZdJaoM
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 8, 2024
The Cowboys’ defense features big names none bigger than the potential Defensive Player of the Year, Micah Parsons. Parsons got after the line and quarterback all game with pressures, throwing the offense in a loop.
The line gave up six sacks, which only hurt Watson who was already struggling with other aspects of the game. With a lot of people to blame for the loss, the offensive line has to be mentioned.
Deshaun Watson Struggled in Season-Opening Loss
After mentioning the offensive line, you have to mention quarterback Deshaun Watson. The season-opening loss was just as bad for him, as he struggled with throws and coverages throughout the game.
As mentioned above, Watson was under pressure all game as the Cowboys’ defense found success blitzing him and forcing him to scramble for throws on the run. Watson threw two interceptions, although one was at the fault of Elijah Moore, who had a horrendous drop.
Deshaun Watson throws an interception and the Browns continue to be held back by the most overpaid player in NFL history.
— Streameast News Network (@StreameastNews) September 8, 2024
He finished 24 of 45, although there were a lot of drops including Amari Cooper dropping a touchdown later in the game. Tight end David Njoku started to get going a little bit, before getting injured and being out for the game.
Watson finished with 169 yards passing as passing yards seemed to be down across the league. His one touchdown pass was to new Browns wideout Jerry Jeudy in the middle of the third quarter. He will need to play better or else the Browns may need to start looking elsewhere, quickly.
Starting Halves Off Strong
The Browns did not come out of the gates swinging in either half of the season-opening loss. After taking a 3-0 lead in the first half, they surrendered the last 20 points off the half and 26 points overall.
They gave up two touchdowns and two field goals in the first half while scoring just the first three points. The second half started with a penalty and sack, which led to a punt.
That point was to KaVontae Turpin, who took it 60 yards to the house. That built the lead up to 27-3, with the Browns looking and feeling rejected.
Penalties and mistakes hurt them both throughout the games and to start of each half. After all the off-season noise and the locker room halftime talk, you would think it would be a little bit cleaner.
It wasn’t, and the Browns are now 0-1 with a tough date in Jacksonville next weekend. If the Browns don’t fix their issues from the season-opening loss, they will have a rough season after a playoff berth in 2023.
Main Image: Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK
