It couldn’t be more apparent that the Dallas Cowboys had the Cleveland Browns number when they played on Sunday. There was a domination that couldn’t be denied, especially on defense. The team accumulated six sacks, six tackles for a loss, and two interceptions. But one player specifically owned that game, and his name is DeMarvion Overshown.
DeMarvion Overshown Plays Incredibly in NFL Debut
Overshown Missed All of Last Season
Last season, Overshown suffered an ACL tear early into training camp for the Cowboys. As someone who was massively talented, this was a significant setback. It kept him off of the field for an entire season and let Dallas utilize other players for its linebacker room.
However, all of that changed the moment Overshown stepped on the field. He played as if he never missed last season. It was his game and the rest of us were just watching it.
Letting the D-Line Relax
The benefit of having a linebacker like Overshown on the field was his ability to seek out the quarterback. In a post-game interview, Mike Zimmer applauded Overshown for spying the quarterback and making the job of the defensive line easier.
This is thanks to the pure speed and attention that Overshown gives during the game. He’s constantly looking around, showing his awareness and ability to take in the game in real-time.
Although the defensive line is pretty strong with recent additions of DT Jordan Phillips, who obtained a sack on Sunday, and DT Linval Joseph, as well as current defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, having a strengthened linebacker core can be the difference maker for this Cowboys team.
Expansive Linebacker Core for the Cowboys
Overshown wasn’t the only linebacker with an incredible game this past week. New to the Cowboys, the 10-year veteran Eric Kendricks also made an incredible debut.
Combined, Kendricks and Overshown accounted for three of the six team sacks, two of the six tackles for a loss, and one of the two interceptions for the game.
Another strength of the defense was the ability to stop the run. They were able to plug holes, holding Cleveland’s primary running back to 12 carries for 44 yards, with his longest carry only being 11 yards. But the question is, can they keep it up?
Can Overshown Shine This Season?
This was indeed DeMarvion Overshown’s very first game in the NFL. It’s hard to say whether it was a culmination of luck and bad play by the Browns or if he actually has incredible natural instincts as a linebacker.
In order to stop the former narrative and push the latter, it needs to happen again.
This week, Overshown led the team with the most total tackles at 11. He’s clearly present wherever the ball is and always ready to make the play. But the challenge will be for him to perform at that same high level against some of the more explosive teams the Cowboys play.
Crushing Cleveland seemed probable because of their beaten-up offensive line. But if DeMarvion Overshown can maintain that same high level against the Ravens in Week 3, the Lions in Week 6, and the Niners in Week 8, then he’ll cement his name in the books for the Cowboys.
Main Image: Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK
