Mike Zimmer is off to a fantastic start in his return to the Cowboys.
Perhaps the Dallas Cowboys’ most impactful move this offseason was reuniting with Mike Zimmer as their defensive coordinator. Zimmer’s return to the franchise started with a bang as his defense dominated the Cleveland Browns in Dallas’ 33-17 season-opening victory.
After so many starters and key backups sat out the entire preseason, this was our first look at Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Trevon Diggs, and others since the departure of Dan Quinn. They certainly didn’t miss a beat as Parsons and Lawrence combined for three sacks and Diggs had an interception in his first game since Week 2 of 2023. Veteran CB Jourdan Lewis also had a strong game, being in on several key stops.
Some new faces also shined in their Cowboys debuts. LB Eric Kendricks, who probably wouldn’t even be here if not for his long history with Zimmer in Minnesota, had two sacks and an interception for an outstanding afternoon. DeMarvion Overshown showed he was worth the wait after missing his rookie year, flashing all over the field with impact plays. Rookie CB Caelen Carson was close to forcing a turnover a few times and held his own overall.
In general, Dallas’ defense looked like a well-coached unit. They played with passion and rarely seemed to be out of position. If not for some missed opportunities to take Browns QB DeShaun Watson down in the backfield, the game would’ve been even more one-sided. Watson was able to slip out of some would-be sacks and keep drives coming, but it was far from enough to turn the tide.
Many will be quick to cite Cleveland’s battered offensive line and Watson’s lack of playing time over the last three years as reasons for their ineptitude. It’s not unfair; the Browns were missing both starting offensive tackles. Watson, who’s only played in six games each of the last two years after missing all of 2021 with his personal issues, is clearly a mess right now. This was far from the top caliber of offenses that the Cowboys will face this season.
But dominating another NFL team is never easy, and especially as the road team. The Cowboys came into this game as the betting underdogs and came out with one of the more lopsided scores of Week 1. And with their own offense only generating 35 more total yards than Cleveland’s, Dallas’ defense made the difference by stifling drives before they could turn into points.
Brandon Aubrey’s four field goals all came after Dallas’ offense was set up with short fields off a three-and-out, two failed fourth-down conversions, and an interception. The Cowboys never went more than 17 yards on any of those drives, but Aubrey was still in range thanks to the defense keeping Cleveland stymied. Those accounted for 12 of Dallas’ 33 points.
Again, far biggest tests will come for Mike Zimmer’s crew. One is on the way in the New Orleans Saints, who just hung 47 points on the Panthers. But we’ve often criticized the Cowboys for playing down to the level of their opponents and that certainly didn’t happen on Sunday, at least not on Zimmer’s side of the ball. It sent a message that Dan Quinn didn’t take Dallas’ defensive prowess with him to Washington and they should remain a strength for the Cowboys in 2024.
