Final Score 33-17 – Cowboys over the Browns.
The game had the feel of a typical season opener—some miscues and a bit of sloppiness, especially from the offense. It was CeeDee Lamb’s first action since last year’s loss to Green Bay, and he and Dak Prescott didn’t seem to be fully in sync, much like some moments in 2023. Ezekiel Elliott performed as expected, putting up 50-75 yards and scoring 1-2 touchdowns near the goal line. Despite Dallas trying to lean on Pollard in 2023, they struggled heavily in the red zone, often relying on Dak’s heroics while Pollard got stuffed. I’m expecting Zeke to hit around 600-700 rushing yards with 10+ touchdowns this season. Overall, the offense did enough to handle the Browns’ tough defense and made sure the game wasn’t close.
Defensively, this team is going to be a force—at least in the regular season. I can see them racking up 60+ sacks, with Micah Parsons and the front line constantly disrupting QBs. As long as they stay healthy, the defense could carry this team a long way. But as we saw in the playoffs, everything rides on how the defense performs. Like most Cowboys fans, I’m not getting too hyped about the regular season—we need to show up in the playoffs. That said, I’m really excited to see Mike Zimmer taking over play-calling. He brings a no-nonsense approach, which is a refreshing change from Dan Quinn.
So, what do I think of the Cowboys after Game 1? Honestly, same as last year. Sure, they dominated their opponent, but they did the same in 2023, and the Giants were coming off a playoff win then too. My main concern is the defense. Will DeMarcus Lawrence, who I think is one of the most underrated players, bring up the “we were tired” excuse again, or can they carry the team? This offense will likely average close to 30 points a game, but the defense will decide if they make a deep playoff run.
I love Micah Parsons—he’s on the verge of being elite—but let’s be real, he hasn’t done much in the moments that count. His flashes early in the season are great, but he tends to fade later in the year. His playoff stats are even more concerning, with little impact in key games. For a guy being compared to the next LT, he hasn’t delivered when it matters most. Yes, I was pulling my hair out during the Green Bay playoff game, watching him drop back into zone coverage. He’s too talented to be neutralized like that. When you look at guys like TJ Watt, Nick Bosa, and Myles Garrett, they find ways to make an impact, even when they’re being held or doubled. Micah needs to get to that level.
I love Micah Parsons—he’s on the verge of being elite—but let’s be real, he hasn’t done much in the moments that count. His flashes early in the season are great, but he tends to fade later in the year. His playoff stats are even more concerning, with little impact in key games. For a guy being compared to the next LT, he hasn’t delivered when it matters most. Yes, I was pulling my hair out during the Green Bay playoff game, watching him drop back into zone coverage, but he’s too talented to be neutralized like that. When you look at guys like TJ Watt, Nick Bosa, and Myles Garrett, they find ways to make an impact, even when they’re being held or doubled. Micah needs to get to that level.
My outlook and prediction for the year? As a Cowboys fan, I’m hoping for a reset, but knowing them, they’ll probably make the playoffs and exit in the first or second round. Just to drive us even crazier, they’ll likely extend McCarthy for another three years, dragging out this experiment until it’s time to bring in the next franchise QB. Honestly, the saddest part is seeing them waste the best years of Romo’s career, and now they’re doing the same with Dak. He’s not Aaron Rodgers or Patrick Mahomes—he’s not going to carry the team to a Super Bowl on his own. Dak is more of a Matthew Stafford/Joe Flacco type, where the defense will need to carry the load, but he can do what’s needed to get the W when it counts.
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