Photo credit, Andre Odums/ossports
Its defense accounted for 23 pressures, six sacks, and two turnovers and held Cleveland’s offense to 54 yards at the half while piling 216.
It wasn’t what the home fans expected. However, the quieted crowd of disappointed facial expressions watched the Dallas Cowboys take a 20-3 lead to intermission and defeat the browns 33-16 on Sunday afternoon at Huntington Bank Field.
Nothing was surprising about Coach Zimmer’s defense. The Cowboys (1-0) pressed Deshaun Watson and the Browns’ offense throughout. Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown led Dallas with 11 tackles and a sack. The secondary intensified the pressure, intercepting Watson twice.
While the defense continued to frustrate Cleveland (0-1), the offense managed 20 first-half points. In the first quarter, Dak Prescott found Brandin Cooks for the Cowboys’ first score before outscoring the Browns 13-0 in the second quarter.
Dak Prescott’s contract extension hours before the game made the victory special. The 240 million dollar deal over four years, like Cee Dee Lamb’s 136 million a few weeks ago, should free the minds as the season progresses.
Prescott finished 19 of 32 for 179 yards and received support from the offensive line while keeping Defensive Player of the Year in check most of the contest.
The stunned crowd showed its displeasure by booing Cleveland as it entered the locker room at halftime.
Watson struggled to move the ball and had not played since coming off a shoulder injury. He suffered six sacks and two interceptions and appeared out of sync after the Cowboys’ defense offered no breathing room. His day concluded with 24 of 45 for 169 yards and one touchdown.
Brandon Aubrey kept his foot in the game, scoring 12 of the Cowboys’ 33 points as he nailed field goals of 57, 50, 46, and 40, helping the Cowboys subdue the Browns.