Cowboys vs. Browns is a rapidly approaching game that will show if all the work the Dallas Cowboys put in over training camp paid off. The Cleveland Browns are not an easy team to beat, so the Cowboys will have to patch their weaknesses in order to secure a dub.
Cowboys vs. Browns: What Must Happen for the Cowboys to Win
Smooth Out the Question Mark at WR
What’ll be necessary for the Cowboys is to activate CeeDee Lamb as soon as possible. He missed all of training camp in Oxnard due to contract negotiations and is still revving up to be able to play at the level he did when the season ended last year.
He’s also missed the number of key reps he needs with Dak Prescott. The last time the two played together, they seemed mostly out of sync. He missed nearly half of his targets. This is unusual since Lamb caught around 75% of his targets during the regular season.
But it isn’t just all on Lamb.
The Cowboys had plenty of practice for their other receivers since Lamb was absent. The hope is for these receivers to then utilize that practice in a live game situation. All of that could help smooth over the question mark at wide receiver for this Cowboys vs. Browns game.
Rookies Ready to Step Up and Handle the O-Line
According to the unofficial depth chart for the Cowboys, both Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe will be starting at left tackle and center, respectively.
Although Beebe will work hard at center, the person under the most pressure on the line is Guyton. Because of last year’s Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett, Guyton will have to step up early to show he’s capable.
It could be argued that the entire offense is dependent on what Guyton is able to accomplish. If Garrett gets into the backfield consistently, creating pressure on Dak Prescott or crushing the run game, it’ll be troublesome for the offense to make some plays.
Running Back Worries with the RB Committee
Although there is no “starter” in the traditional sense, running back has even more question marks surrounding it than wide receiver.
The thought process is that Ezekiel Elliott will be leading this committee. However, it’s uncertain of exactly how the strategy will work. All three running backs in the core, Elliott, Rico Dowdle, and Deuce Vaughn, had tough seasons last year.
Yet, each running back also has a specialty. If the Cowboys use the back that best challenges the defense, or alternates backs to keep the defense guessing, this could lead to a very effective run game for the Cowboys vs. Browns game.
Concerns at Cornerback
Another big growing pain will be the cornerback position. Jourdan Lewis was very solid and consistent last year, so there’s no concern with him.
The injury to DaRon Bland causing him to miss the first few games of the season brings up a rookie and recent draft pick–Caelen Carson. Carson had an amazing training camp and preseason. There’s excitement about him getting the opportunity to step into this new role so quickly, but there’s hesitation too. Hopefully, he’ll get up to speed quickly.
Lastly, a player returning from injury is the highly favored Trevon Diggs. Diggs carried the defensive core a few years ago. He’ll be coming off an ACL injury, but he’s looked great in practice too. The goal is for all of that to carry over into actual gameplay.
The Biggest Weakness Last Year
Lastly, the biggest weakness the Cowboys had last year was their ability to stop the run game. Teams utilized that to run down their throats. In the Cowboys vs. Browns game, it’ll be imperative for the defense to step up early and shut down the run game.
It’s helpful that Nick Chubb is injured, but that doesn’t mean anything and shouldn’t allow the players to grow complacent. Closing off the run early forces Deshaun Watson into a wobbly pass game, creating the opportunity for turnovers.
If the Cowboys are capable of shutting down the run, the rest of the game might be that much easier.
Main Photo Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
