Cowboys @ Browns Odds, NFL Picks, and Predictions
September 5, 2008
The Cowboys and Browns have their hopes set high for the 2008 NFL season. The Browns were one of the biggest surprises in the NFL last season as they won 10 of their 16 games and just barely missed out on the playoffs. All of this happening for Cleveland after winning a total of just 10 games in the previous two years combined. The Dallas Cowboys were expected to be one of the top teams in the league last year, and they delivered in the regular season with a 13-3 record. Dallas was ousted from the playoffs by the eventual Super Bowl Champion New York Giants, but the Cowboys return another solid team in 2008 and are looking to improve on the success they enjoyed throughout 2007.
The Dallas offense has grown into one of the most productive units in the NFL over the past few years. A big part of that success can be credited to Tony Romo, who put up incredible numbers last season. Romo can’t take all of the credit, however, because he has a great supporting cast. Terrell Owens was less of a distraction off the field last year and it lead to one of his better offensive seasons. Another of Romo’s favorite targets, tight end Jason Witten, was a powerful offensive weapon, putting up amazing numbers at his position with 96 receptions and over 1,100 yards. The ground game should be solid again with Marion Barber returning to the backfield. Barber is a hard-nosed runner that can pick up yards when the Cowboys need them, but is a back that can also break some impressive runs with his great ability to break tackles.
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On defense the Cowboys made some good additions to an already solid squad. Adam “Pac-Man” Jones was allowed to join the team, which adds some depth to a secondary lead by Pro-Bowlers Terence Newman and Anthony Harris at the corners. The defensive line and linebacker crews combine for one of the best rush defenses in the NFL, in fact, Dallas finished the season allowing just 94.6 yards per game on the ground, good for 6th best in the league. It’s hard to find holes to exploit in this defense, giving the Cowboys a great chance to be one of the dominant defensive teams in the NFL in 2008.
Cleveland could have been looking at Dallas when they built their team. They have a big play threat at wide receiver in Braylon Edwards, plus they have one of the most explosive tight ends in the league with Kellen Winslow. Derek Anderson is back as the Browns signal-caller and he is trying to build on a very impressive 2007 showing. Anderson threw 29 TDs last year on 3,787 yards passing. The Browns scored a great second or third option receiver in the off season by grabbing Dante Stallworth, so they are in position to be a productive offense in ‘08. The running game was a big part of the Brown’s offense last season with a healthy Jamal Lewis, who racked up over 1,300 yards, but Lewis has a nagging hamstring injury and they do not have much depth lined up behind him. If the running game can give enough openings to a very dangerous passing attack, the Browns can make another run at a playoff-caliber season. Their first challenge will be against a very good Dallas defense, but their performance Sunday should tell them a lot about how good they really are.
While the offense in Cleveland was certainly on the right track last year, the defense needed some changes, and that’s exactly what they got. The Browns bolstered their front 3 defensive linemen, which should improve the rush defense all around. There are still some major concerns in the secondary, particularly in a game against an offense that likes to pass as much as the Cowboys do. Trades and injuries have hurt a defensive backfield that was already the biggest problem on this Brown’s team. Hopefully the Browns can patch together a good enough secondary to keep them competitive because their offense can win them games if the defense gives them the support to do so.
BetUs has the Cowboys -5.5 on the road, but as a home underdog coming off of a very good season, the Browns +5.5 looks tempting. The Browns expectations are high after last year’s game play. This season could be a big step forward for the Browns, or a giant step back. Only time will tell, but a win over the Cowboys in Week 1 would be a tremendous accomplishment for this group. For the Cowboys, nothing less than a dominant win will do. If they want to establish themselves as the team to beat in the NFL, which they very well may be, it all has to start with convincing win over the Browns in Cleveland Sunday.
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