‘What a kick’: Inside the sequence that scrapped 71-yard FG try by Cowboys’ Brandon Aubrey Todd Brock Officially speaking, Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey connected on 4-of-4 field goal attempts in Cleveland- every single one from 40 yards or more- during the team’s 33-17 opening-day win over the Browns. Everyone knows he actually hit an NFL-record-tying fifth, too… except it didn’t count. But the kick the whole world will be talking about for a while is the one he didn’t get to even try. Special teams coordinator John Fassel went through all of it with reporters during a Monday press conference, admitting with a laugh that “the blood has boiled down a little bit” after a confusing series of events that saw Aubrey, the second-year phenom and former soccer star, drilling a 66-yard field goal… and then, for a brief but thrilling moment, prepping to try it again from an impossible-sounding 71 yards. Aubrey had already hit from 57 and 40, but his third attempt of the day came from 66 yards out, which would have tied the current NFL mark and matched a boot Aubrey made just last month during the Cowboys’ preseason game in Las Vegas. Dallas was already up 20-3 in the waning seconds of Sunday’s first half, but it took just the right sequence of events to put the offense in position for the attempt. “Coach asked me where we’ve got to get to to get in field goal range,” Fassel explained, “and I said, ‘Just across the 50.’” So when Jalen Tolbert was forced out of bounds at the Cleveland 48 with nine seconds remaining, the field goal unit hustled onto the field. But that’s when things went wonky. “What it looked like, to me, was two issues happened,” according to Fassel. “It looked like they got the quarterback ball off the field late, and they got the K-ball in late. Then once they got the K-ball set, one of the officials- when he saw a defensive substitution- stood over Trent [Sieg, Cowboys long snapper] and said, ‘Hold, hold.’ So Trent wasn’t able to address the ball to get ready to snap it. … So by the time we got over the ball and snapped it, we were one second late.” Aubrey’s ball sailed through the uprights, but the flag negated the kick. Loud complaints about the clock from Fassel and head coach Mike McCarthy fell on deaf ears (although the Cowboys could also have used one of their two remaining timeouts, even if they shouldn’t have needed to), and the line of scrimmage was moved back five yards. That first kick looked like it would have been good from 71. And for a tantalizing moment, it appeared as though the Cowboys were going to try it. McCarthy had already taken off his headset, he said, apparently content to turn Aubrey loose. “We actually considered it,” Fassel confessed. “If it was going the other way, we might have kicked it because there’s a little bit of wind at our back going the other way.” A quick check-in with Cowboys punter and holder Bryan Anger told Fassel it was going to be very close. Anger confirmed the 66-yarder was hit “about as clean as [Aubrey] can hit it” but then added, “I’m not sure it made it by more than five [yards].” The Browns already had a return man waiting under the goalpost in case the try came up short. And that got Fassel flashing back to a late September afternoon in 2008. Fassel was a first-year assistant special teams coach for the Raiders that season and saw head coach Lane Kiffin send out noted long-range specialist Sebastian Janikowski for an absurd 76-yard attempt at the end of the second quarter of a game against the Chargers. “I’ll never forget. Antonio Cromartie’s back there, and I’m like, ‘Oh, damn,’” Fassel remembered. “He catches the ball on the goal line, and we’re covering a kickoff with 10 offensive linemen against Antonio Cromartie.” Luckily, the return didn’t even reach the 30, but the Chargers were closer to a big return than Janikowski’s cannon shot had been to being successful. “That was, I think, the day before Lane Kiffin got fired,” Fassel noted. A similar play had once burned McCarthy even worse. As the 49ers’ offensive coordinator in 2005, McCarthy watched Bears return ace Nathan Vasher return a field goal attempt 108 yards for an end-of-half score. Fassel told reporters the risk of letting Cleveland back into the game with a dramatic touchdown going into intermission- and with the Browns set to receive the second-half kick- was simply too great. “Immediately, both of our memory banks went, ‘Ah, let’s go ahead and take the kicker off the field and put the ball back in the quarterback’s hands.” Aubrey was pulled, not even aware that he had been thisclose to being given a shot at the NFL record. “In the moment, I didn’t know it was from 71,” Aubrey said from his locker after the game. “I thought it was still 66, because I thought they called a timeout, not delay of game. So it’s hard to say how I would have reacted out there, but it’s probably the right call on the day in the conditions.” [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Winds in Cleveland on Sunday were near 15 miles per hour, with the stiffest breezes blowing into the northeast end of Huntington Bank Field, the side open to Lake Erie. That had definitely factored into Aubrey’s approaches on the day. “On the one end zone, the end zone where I got the 57 and the 66, there was kind of a big wind that picked up around the 20-yard-line going right to left and a little bit into the field. So it was tough,” he said. “In the warmup, the ball was moving a lot more than it normally does.” While the 29-year-old said he would “absolutely” like to try from 70 or beyond in a game someday, he conceded that Sunday

Winner, Losers from Cowboys impressive victory over Cleveland angeltorres Alas, the demise of the Cowboys may have been a bit oversold as evidenced by their impressive 33-17 win over the Browns in Cleveland. The entire defensive unit were winners, even though the final score had some window dressing attached. Dallas gave up fewer yards than a Browns defense elevated to elite levels last season. Just imagine when All-Pro cornerback DaRon Bland returns for Dallas. While the victory is sweet, teams and players can always be better. A deep roster chock full of impact players still has a glaring need. An injury scare for a top offensive target had all of Cowboys Nation holding their breath. Special teams cannot be overstated and the unit in Dallas has plenty of dangerous weapons. Many more winners than losers as victory has a way of curing all. Winner: Eric Kendricks CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 08: Eric Kendricks #50 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after a tackle for loss in the first quarter of the game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) The offseason talk had dissolved into, “They only signed Eric Kendricks in free agency.” That crowd may owe the veteran linebacker an apology after he collected two sacks, two QB hits, and one tackle for loss (TFL) in his Cowboys debut. His nine tackles were good for second-most on the day. He also intercepted Browns quarterback DeShaun Watson, thanks to a Micah Parsons pass deflection. Not bad for a linebacker taken from right under the nose of a conference rival during free agency. His addition to the team could have been seen as a bridge guy for the younger players but Kendricks showed he still has plenty left to give. Loser: Jake Ferguson Sep 8, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (87) falls over Cleveland Browns linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) as he is tackled around his ankle during the third quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson had a modest day statistically, catching three passes for 15 yards. His last reception of the day turned into immediate concerns over his knee. Head coach Mike McCarthy takes extra precautions when it comes to the health of the rest of his players but the play Ferguson injured himself can happen at any time. It appears the Cowboys got lucky and Ferguson isn’t going to be out for the season; he’s actually angling to play this coming weekend against the New Orleans Saints although that seems a bit optimistic. Either way, watching him struggle to walk off the field put a damper on an otherwise good day for Dallas. Winner: DeMarvion Overshown Sep 8, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (13) tackles Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford (34) during the third quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown was touted as having game-changing ability that could alter the narrative of a disappointing 2023 draft class. After losing his rookie season to a serious knee injury, viewers got to see how suddenly he flashes across the screen. The way he closed on Browns quarterback DeShaun Watson for his first NFL sack looked like someone shot him out of a cannon. That rare closing burst was something only star pass rusher Micah Parsons had shown but Dallas now has two of those guys. Overshown finished with a team-high 11 tackles, a sack, and two quarterback hits in his first NFL regular-season game. Loser: The Cowboys run game OXNARD, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 8: Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer of the Dallas Cowboys paces the sideline during a joint practice with Los Angeles Rams at Cowboys training camp on August 8, 2024 in Oxnard, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) Going up against what was the best defense in the league last season has a lot to do with the struggles of the Cowboys run game, but it was still disappointing nonetheless. Running back Ezekiel Elliott led the charge rushing 10 times for 40 yards and a score. As a whole, the team rushed for 102 total yards, 25 of those coming from three CeeDee Lamb rushes. Lamb is the Cowboys primary passing target. Head coach Mike McCarthy said the team will commit to their run game yet questions remain. The 57/43 percent split in favor of the passing game is a fairly well-balanced offense. Winner: Brandon Aubrey Sep 8, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Dallas Cowboys place kicker Brandon Aubrey (17) kicks a field goal as punter Bryan Anger (5) holds the ball against the Cleveland Browns during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey may be one of the most dangerous weapons throughout the entire NFL. Casually hitting what would have been a record-tying 66-yard field goal before being erased by a delay of game penalty is the type of range that could alter defensive strategies late in close games. This sounds ridiculous but the Dallas offense reaching midfield is now considered field goal range for them. The final stat line for Aubrey is just a ho-hum day of going four for four with makes from 57, 40, 50, and 46 yards, respectively. Like many others, there may have been thoughts about allowing him to attempt that 71-yard kick to end the half. Kudos to the other special teamers as well. Return specialist Kavonte Turpin returned a punt 60 yards for his first career touchdown on a return. Punter Bryan Anger averaged 49 yards an attempt on his five punts. Winner: DeMarcus Lawrence Sep 8, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) lies on Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) after a sack during the first quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images There were too many winners to name but defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence needed a

How to buy your team’s 2024 NFL Crucial Catch gear Nick Wojton The 2024 line of the NFL’s Crucial Catch Collection has arrived. The initiative released by the league once again features both apparel and headgear. All 32 teams are featured for a good cause. The NFL does not profit from the sale of Crucial Catch gear. Charitable contributions are awarded by the NFL Foundation to the American Cancer Society.  Such a topic is not only felt by those on the field. Many NFL fans have felt the impact of cancer at some point in their lives and the football family can do their part all while supporting their team. The 2024 collection is available at Fanatics and includes shirts, hats and hoodies for each team. 2024 NFL Crucial Catch t-shirt Shop NFL Crucial Catch shirts 2024 NFL Crucial Catch hat And if a hat is more your preference, your team is covered there as well: Shop NFL Crucial Catch hats 2024 NFL Crucial Catch hoodie Finally, each team also has a Crucial Catch hoodie: Shop Crucial Catch hoodies Both shirts and hoodies are available in sizes S to 4XL. T-shirts cost $39.99, while hoodies list at $94.99. Shirt sizes come in both adult and kids. Hats, which come in a variety of styles, list at $45.99. Winter knit caps list at $34.99. Grab your team’s 2024 Crucial Catch gear now. For more information please visit www.NFL.com/CrucialCatch. Shop NFL Crucial Catch gear We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. FTW operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

If We’re Being Honest: Cowboys offense was actually awful for half of Week 1 win Todd Brock There’s always something to clean up in football, always some aspect of the game that can be improved upon, no matter how good the performance. And despite a 33-17 drubbing of the Cleveland Browns which didn’t seem even that close for most of the opening-day afternoon, that has indeed been a common thread among Cowboys coaches and players since their Week 1 meeting went final. Most experts were split before the game on who would emerge victorious. The close contest that had been so anticipated that it earned “Game of the Week” status, however, became a laugher long before halftime. The Dallas offense and their two newly-signed superstars had blown the doors off the vaunted Browns defense, while the revamped Cowboys D under Mike Zimmer had embarrassed a pathetic Cleveland offense. That was the story in the aftermath of Sunday’s win. Cowboys Nation may rightfully be celebrating a decisive win over a playoff-caliber opponent and already preparing to see a jump in the power rankings for Week 2, but a closer look inside the numbers show that it may be a bit early to christen this 2024 Cowboys squad as a bona fide powerhouse. The inconvenient truth, perhaps lost in the happy haze of a Week 1 win, is that the Cowboys offense was just as bad in the second half of the game as the Browns offense had been in the first half. In several categories, they were even worse. “We were totally out of balance in the second half of the game,” McCarthy told reporters in his Monday press conference. “You’d like the [whole] game to go the way the first half went; I’m just talking about play distribution, ball distribution, all those types of things.” Sure, the Cowboys were well ahead coming out of the tunnel after intermission. But the game certainly wasn’t decided at that point, and there’s a big difference between easing off the gas a little and parking the car and walking away with the engine sputtering. A statistical breakdown by half shows that Dak Prescott & Co. did next to nothing for the final 30 minutes of play. 1st Half 2nd Half Off. plays 40 20 1st Downs 13 2 3rd Down Eff. 4-9 0-5 Rushing Plays 16 9 Rushing Net Yds 76 26 Passing Atts 21 11 Passing Net Yds 140 23 Total Net Yds 216 49 Possession 19:56 9:10 It’s worth noting that KaVontae Turpin’s electrifying punt return for a touchdown in the third quarter, while furthering the Cowboys’ lead, automatically reduced the offense’s second-half opportunities in every one of these categories. Even still, it’s awfully hard to scan that second column of stats and be crowing too loudly about the offense responsible, no matter what the scoreboard said at the end. [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Of particular concern for McCarthy is the unit going 0-for-5 on third down conversions in the second half; he called that “probably our biggest negative on offense.” McCarthy often speaks candidly about “September football,” and it was on display on both the shores of Lake Erie and around the league. Silly penalties. Sloppy tackling. Inaccurate passing. Mental mistakes. Missed assignments. Guys cramping and getting winded late in games. There is a legitimate amount of rust to be knocked off for nearly everyone this time of year. Some of the shortcomings noted above will work themselves out with time and conditioning and reps. No one in Dallas is panicking, and after all, a win is a win. (And a 16-point win over a team expected to be an AFC playoff contender is a fantastic way to start the season.) And after a frustrating and tension-filled offseason, Cowboys fans understandably aren’t especially eager to focus on the negative after such a satisfyingly cathartic win to kick off the season. But pretending there’s not a problem won’t help it go away. McCarthy knows there’s a problem to be fixed; he and the offense have six days to tinker with it before trying again versus New Orleans. Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.

Studs and Duds: Coaching staff leads Cowboys to victory over Browns Mike Crum The Dallas Cowboys have had a horrible taste in their mouth for months following the disappointing end to the 2023 season. After the “all-in” offseason included a long wait to get extensions for CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott, everyone just wanted to get on the field and play the Cleveland Browns. The team hit their mark as they took out all their frustrations as a road underdog, dominating all aspects of the game for a 33-17 win. A performance like this from all units of the team leads to positive vibes for the players, leaving plenty of studs to pick from for their elite performances. There were a few duds who need to improve as the season goes on, but they get a break for a poor performance since the team blew out their opponent. For the Cowboys it was the best of both worlds. Studs: Coaching staff OXNARD, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 8: Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer of the Dallas Cowboys paces the sideline during a joint practice with Los Angeles Rams at Cowboys training camp on August 8, 2024 in Oxnard, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) The big sell for Dallas’ offseason was an upgrade on defense with the hiring of Mike Zimmer, but with a loss of depth, it was an unknown if Zimmer would have the pieces necessary to be good on that side of the ball. Dominant is the perfect word to describe their Sunday performance. The Cowboys defense allowed just a single first down in the first half, holding the Browns to two conversions on 15 third-down attempts while adding six sacks and two interceptions. Cleveland only averaged 2.7 yards per pass despite Dallas lining up a rookie corner against Amari Cooper most of the game. Zimmer was better than advertised in their first game. John Fassel had a great day as special teams coach as well, with KaVontae Turpin returning a punt for a touchdown and Brandon Aubrey hitting on all seven of his kicks. Aubrey even hit an eighth kick from 66 yards before halftime, but a clock malfunction caused a penalty to take away the record tying blast. He still had a long of 57 yards. Duds: WR Jalen Tolbert OXNARD, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 8: Quarterback Dak Prescott #4 and wide receiver Jalen Tolbert #1 of the Dallas Cowboys practice hand shakes during joint practice with Los Angeles Rams at training camp on August 8, 2024 in Oxnard, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) Once the Cowboys pulled ahead 14-3, the offense went conservative, making sure the excellent Cleveland defense couldn’t impact the game for the Browns. This led to receivers not getting many chances to make an impact. Prescott only threw 32 total times for just 4.7 yards per pass. Regardless, Jalen Tolbert made zero impact in the opening game of the year after an impressive training camp. Tolbert was the least impactful player on the team of any player who accrued stats. He had fewer receiving yards than Lamb, Brandin Cooks, Jalen Brooks, Hunter Luepke, and Jake Ferguson. Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle both were relatively impactful in the run game and Turpin added his return touchdown. Tolbert came in as the clear third receiver, with some saying he could battle for the second spot, but he made no impactful plays against the Browns. Studs: Edge Micah Parsons INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 11: Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys before a preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on August 11, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) All offseason the talk was about what Myles Garrett would do to the rookie left tackle of the Cowboys and how they couldn’t let him wreck the game, but it was Micah Parsons who ended up ruining the Browns chances at a Week 1 victory. Parsons stat sheet doesn’t jump out with only four tackles, a sack, and a tackle for a loss, but he was the most impactful player on the field by a mile. He caused multiple early penalties on the offensive lineman across from him, putting Cleveland in tough situations offensively. He tipped a pass that ended up intercepted by Eric Kendricks, pressured Watson causing him to run into Demarcus Lawrence for a sack, and he even dropped in coverage leaving the Browns offensive line confused allowing Kendricks took advantage with a sack. Parsons started off his defensive player of the year campaign with a stud performance for the Cowboys. Duds: First down runs Dec 24, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (23) rushes with the ball during the first half against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports The duds for the run game’s poor performance could go to the offensive line or the running backs, but the predictable play calling probably was the largest issue. The innovative play callers for the Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, or Detroit Lions aren’t walking through the door here in Dallas, but the first-down, up the middle runs haven’t been effective here for the entirety of the Mike McCarthy era. Dallas had two runs on first down to Lamb, they were sweeps that went for 10 and 12 yards, other than that they had one first down run all game that went for four yards or more. The total for running backs on first down was 19 yards on 11 carries. That is a putrid average of 1.72 yards per attempt, a complete dud for the offense. Studs: Linebackers LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 17: Eric Kendricks #50 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up prior to a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on August 17, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images) Dallas isn’t known for signing impactful free agents, content to build their team by drafting and

‘This ain’t nothing yet’: Cowboys rookie CB promises bumpy ride for opposing QBs after Week 1 lockdown Todd Brock No one knew what to expect, really. It was Week 1, playing an unfamiliar opponent, facing a quarterback capable of lighting it up any given week and a talented receiving corps that included a 1,000-yard threat who wanted to show up the team that once shipped him out of town. It had the potential to be a wild and bumpy ride. Good thing the Cowboys invested in a Seat Belt this offseason. In his NFL debut, rookie cornerback Caelen Carson lived up to the nickname given to him at Wake Forest and was instrumental in restraining the Browns’ air attack in the Cowboys’ 33-17 opening day win. The dominant Dallas defense limited Cleveland’s Deshaun Watson to a meager 3.75 yards per attempt and a 51.1 passer rating on the day, looking nothing like a fifth-round DB making his first pro appearance. “Honestly, I didn’t know how the first game was going to go,” Carson said after the win, “but I knew one thing: I wasn’t going to come in here scared.” The 22-year-old more than held his own despite being matched up against five-time Pro Bowler Amari Cooper, with Carson holding the former Cowboy to just 16 yards and breaking up as many passes- two- as he let Cooper catch. And he nearly came away with two interceptions. “I didn’t capitalize on my opportunities today,” the rookie confessed. “I think I played okay, but I’ve got to capitalize on the opportunities. That’s the biggest thing with a Cowboys defense- turnovers.” Fellow cornerback Trevon Diggs was quick to point out Carson’s near-misses, interrupting the youngster’s Q&A session with reporters with an announcement of his own: “He owes, like, 70 push-ups!” Diggs reported with a laugh. The fifth-year All-Pro had plenty to smile about on Sunday, making his return to the field after an ACL tear suffered in practice last September “Tears of joy,” Diggs said at his locker. “Just thankful to be back. I’ve been gone for so long… I had a lot of emotions.” And he made the most of it, nabbing his first pick in 357 days. It was quite a performance, especially considering that neither of the Cowboys’ starting cornerbacks for the majority of the 2023 season were even on the field. DaRon Bland is out for several more weeks with a foot fracture; Stephon Gilmore was not re-signed by the team. But Diggs showed no ill effects from his knee injury, and Carson showed no fear as a first-timer, and the result was a near-total lockdown of the Cleveland passing game. “We pressured the quarterback a lot, so we got him off his game,” said Carson. “And then for the outside pieces- the receivers- the timing was off, everything was off. It helped us a lot. I think the back end played well, too. All phases of the defensed played well.” But both men vowed that it’s just the beginning. [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] “You ain’t seen nothing yet,” Carson predicted. “We’ve got a lot of improvement to do, get back in the film room. There’s going to be more to come.” Diggs confirmed that the Cowboys defense, now under the command of coordinator Mike Zimmer, has plenty more that never even came out of the toolbox on Sunday. “That was just a little sample,” he explained. “Man, we’ve got, like, 50 calls. We only ran probably three of them.” Maybe it’s the Cowboys’ opponents who should be buckling up for a bumpy ride. “I left a lot of plays out there. So, a lot more plays to come,” promised the talented youngster they call Seat Belt. “A lot more to come. This ain’t nothing yet.” Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.

Eric Kendricks pilots dominant defensive showing in Cowboys 2024 season opener Tim Lettiero The Cowboys opened their 2024 season on the road against an angsty Cleveland Browns team. Facing one of the most well-rounded defensive units in the league, Dallas was bound to struggle offensively. Cleveland’s offense was down both their starting tackles though, giving the front seven of Dallas a great opportunity to put pressure on the passing and running game of the Browns. And that they did. Dallas never seemed to get clicking on offense, but the defense was as dominant as has been seen in recent times. Cleveland couldn’t get going at all, mustering only 10 points and under 200 total yards before a lengthy garbage-time drive with seven minutes remaining. Dallas put pressure on QB Deshaun Watson all day sacking him six times and picking him off twice. Spearheading this performance was new mike linebacker and savvy veteran Eric Kendricks. Kendricks already racked up four of his nine tackles by the end of the first quarter, starting off hot. In the second quarter, Micah Parsons got his hands on a Deshaun Watson pass, starting a tip drill which ended in the hands of the veteran. Kendrick would come and go in the second half as he dealt with some cramping issues due to dehydration but notched his second sack of the game before taking a well-deserved seat on the bench. Finishing with an impressive stat line of nine tackles, two sacks and a pick, it’s clear Kendricks feels back at home under new DC Mike Zimmer. His ability to not only to make plays but lead his teammates cannot be understated. Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.

Victory in Pics: Gallery of Cowboys 33-17 road win over Browns K.D. Drummond The Dallas Cowboys took care of business on opening day, blowing out a home team that was in the playoffs the previous season for the second consecutive year. In 2023, the club went to New York and bludgeoned the Giants 40-0. This year, Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns were taken to task, 33-17. Take a look at the photo captures from the talented crew of USA Today and Getty Images. Quarterback Dak Prescott celebrating after his big contract signing and sharp day, the return of Ezekiel Elliott to star-donned helmets, and Micah Parsons and company dominating defensive performances… all here. NFL: Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns Sep 8, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (1) gets tackled by… Sep 8, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (1) gets tackled by Cleveland Browns cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) and safety Juan Thornhill (1) during the first quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images more image gallery NFL: Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns Sep 8, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) gets tackled by… Sep 8, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) gets tackled by Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images more image gallery Syndication: Akron Beacon Journal Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks (3) eyes down a touchdown pass during the first half… Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks (3) eyes down a touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game at Huntington Bank Field, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio. more image gallery Dallas Cowboys v Cleveland Browns CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 08: Trevon Diggs #7 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates with teammates after… CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 08: Trevon Diggs #7 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates with teammates after an interception during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) more image gallery Dallas Cowboys v Cleveland Browns CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 08: KaVontae Turpin #9 of the Dallas Cowboys returns a punt for… CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 08: KaVontae Turpin #9 of the Dallas Cowboys returns a punt for a touchdown in the third quarter of the game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) more image gallery Dallas Cowboys v Cleveland Browns CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 08: Brandin Cooks #3 of the Dallas Cowboys catches the ball for… CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 08: Brandin Cooks #3 of the Dallas Cowboys catches the ball for a touchdown in the first quarter of the game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) more image gallery NFL: Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns Sep 8, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) celebrates after a touchdown… Sep 8, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) celebrates after a touchdown during the first half against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images more image gallery Dallas Cowboys v Cleveland Browns CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 08: A Dallas Cowboys helmet rests on the field before the game… CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 08: A Dallas Cowboys helmet rests on the field before the game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) more image gallery Dallas Cowboys v Cleveland Browns CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 08: Trevon Diggs #7 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after intercepting the… CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 08: Trevon Diggs #7 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after intercepting the ball with Malik Hooker #28 in the fourth quarter of the game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) more image gallery Dallas Cowboys v Cleveland Browns CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 08: Ezekiel Elliott #15 of the Dallas Cowboys scores a touchdown in… CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 08: Ezekiel Elliott #15 of the Dallas Cowboys scores a touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) more image gallery Dallas Cowboys v Cleveland Browns CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 08: CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball against… CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 08: CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball against Denzel Ward #21 of the Cleveland Browns during the second half at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) more image gallery Dallas Cowboys v Cleveland Browns CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 08: Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates during the second… CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 08: Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) more image gallery Dallas Cowboys v Cleveland Browns CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 08: Brian Schottenheimer offensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates with Ezekiel… CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 08: Brian Schottenheimer offensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates with Ezekiel Elliott #15 after he scored a touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) more image gallery Dallas Cowboys v Cleveland Browns CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 08: Eric Kendricks #50 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates with teammates after… CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 08: Eric Kendricks #50 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates with teammates after an interception during the second

Confusion! Why were both the Cowboys and Browns’ offenses on the field together in the 3rd quarter? K.D. Drummond Someone messed up. With the Dallas Cowboys dominating the action on the field in the Week 1 matchup, a confusing situation arose in the third quarter. After being stymied in the first half for just 54 total yards, the Cleveland offense had a boo-inspiring three and out to start the third quarter. Things got worse when Kavontae Turpin took the punt back 60 yards for a score, giving Dallas a 27-3 lead. Cleveland’s offense finally woke up, but found themselves in 3rd-and-10 from just inside the Cowboys’ 16-yard line. The pass was complete to Amari Cooper for what looked like 10 yards, but things got weird when Cleveland races up to the line of scrimmage for a quick snap. The Cowboys were able to thwart a bootleg by QB Dashaun Watson as rookie Marshawn Kneeland had pressure and Watson threw the ball out of the end zone. Dallas’ defense celebrated wildly for what seemed like a first down incompletion, and then all of a sudden Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offense was on the field. What happened? The expedited attempt by Cleveland fooled the Cowboys into thinking it was fourth down, that the completion was short of the yard marker, and they had a stand. And guess what? They weren’t exactly wrong. Looking closely at the placement of the ball after the prior first down and where it was marked after Cooper’s catch, and it looks like the ball was just shy of a full 10 yards. While these captures are of after the ball had been handled by the Browns’ center, the placements were equidistant to their respective lines, the 16 and the 6. It should’ve been at least a measurement by the officials, but as sometimes is the case, a 27-3 game is raced towards completion. Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy wanted to challenge, but he’d have needed to have done so before the snap of the missed throw.