One of the best quarterbacks in the NFL last season will be on display when Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys visit the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, September 8, 2024. The Cowboys clicked on all fronts last season, as they ranked best in scoring offense (29.9 points per game) and fifth-best in scoring defense (18.5 points allowed per game). The Browns compiled 23.3 points per game on offense last season, which ranked them 10th in the NFL. On defense, they ranked 13th, allowing 21.3 points per game. Watch Browns vs. Cowboys on Fubo! Cowboys vs Browns: live streaming info, TV channel & game time Game day: Sunday, September 8, 2024 Game time: 4:25 p.m. ET Location: Cleveland, Ohio Stadium: Cleveland Browns Stadium TV Channel: FOX Live stream: Watch Redzone & other NFL content all season long on Fubo Cowboys vs Browns betting lines NFL odds courtesy of BetMGM. Odds updated Sunday at 1:34 a.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Spread Favorite: Browns (-2.5) Moneyline: Browns (-136), Cowboys (+116) Total: 41 points Watch Browns vs. Cowboys on Fubo! Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Cowboys Wire operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Cleveland Browns 2024 odds, tips and betting trends | Week 1
The Cleveland Browns (0-0) square off against the Dallas Cowboys (0-0) on Sunday, September 8, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The spread foretells a close game, with the Browns favored by 2.5 points. The over/under in the outing is set at 41 points. The Cowboys were knocked out of the playoffs in the Wild Card round last year, after finishing 12-5 in the regular season. They scored 29.9 points per game (first in NFL) and gave up 18.5 (fifth). A year ago the Browns were knocked out of the playoffs in the Wild Card round, after finishing 11-6 in the regular season. Offensively, they averaged 23.3 points per game (10th in NFL), and they conceded 21.3 per game (13th in NFL) defensively. Cowboys vs Browns betting information NFL odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Saturday at 5:36 p.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Spread Favorite: Cleveland (-2.5) Moneyline: Cleveland (-136), Dallas (+116) Total: 41 points Cowboys betting insights Dallas was 4-5 overall, and 4-5 against the spread, away from home last season. Against the spread, the Cowboys were 10-7-0 last year. Dallas was winless ATS (0-2) away from home as 2.5-point underdogs or more. The Cowboys were winless ATS (0-2) when playing as at least 2.5-point underdogs last season. Last year, in four of nine road games Dallas hit the over. There were nine Cowboys games (out of 17) that went over the total last year. Cowboys leaders Dak Prescott: 4,516 PASS YDS / 265.6 YPG / 69.5% / 36 TD / 9 INT / 55 CAR / 242 RUSH YDS / 2 TD Ezekiel Elliott: 184 CAR / 642 YDS / 37.8 YPG / 3 TD / 51 REC / 313 YDS / 18.4 YPG / 2 TD Rico Dowdle: 89 CAR / 361 YDS / 22.6 YPG / 2 TD / 17 REC / 144 YDS / 9 YPG / 2 TD CeeDee Lamb: 135 REC / 1,749 YDS / 102.9 YPG / 12 TD Jake Ferguson: 71 REC / 761 YDS / 44.8 YPG / 5 TD Brandin Cooks: 54 REC / 657 YDS / 41.1 YPG / 8 TD Cowboys vs Browns game info Date: Sunday, September 8, 2024 Time: 4:25 p.m. ET City: Cleveland, Ohio Venue: Cleveland Browns Stadium TV Channel: FOX Live Stream: Fubo (Watch Browns vs Cowboys on Fubo) Watch the Dallas Cowboys all season on Fubo! More NFL news Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Cowboys Wire operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
Coop’s Revenge vs Trevon’s Triumph among key matchups for Cowboys-Browns Week 1 rumble
WR Amari Cooper vs CB Trevon Diggs Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports There’s nothing like a little bad blood to spark an instant rivalry. While Dallas and Cleveland may not have natural animosity, a nasty divorce between a team and star player offers it in spades. Once upon a time, Cooper was the biggest playmaker in Dallas. After a failed attempt at WR-by-committee, the Cowboys traded a first-round pick to the Raiders to add Cooper and save their season. It all worked out – until it didn’t. Why exactly the situation soured is an article unto itself, what matters here is the Cowboys were so eager to unload their Pro Bowl WR, they accepted a paltry fifth-round pick as compensation (which they turned into Matt Waletzko). Cooper isn’t an overly fiery guy, but folks can bet their bottom dollar he wants to make the Cowboys’ front office look foolish for their actions back in 2022. Diggs is also a player with something to prove. The former All-Pro is coming off an injury-shortened season and is extra eager to show he’s back and better than ever. Unlike most cornerbacks, Diggs will shadow WRs from time to time. Given the situation at receiver for the Browns, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him follow Cooper from left to right on Sunday. He’ll have his hands full because Cooper’s PPR jumps from 13.8 to 17.6 when Deshaun Watson is under center. With a higher target rate and an axe to grind, Cooper is going to come out swinging on Sunday. RT Terence Steele vs LE Za’Darius Smith and Co. . (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) Tyler Guyton and Myles Garrett are drawing all the headlines but it’s possible Steele and the person he’s matched up against on Sunday are the real key to protecting Dak Prescott on Sunday. Garrett is arguably the best defensive tackle in the NFL, so Guyton deserves all the attention he’s getting this week. But Mike McCarthy is aware of the situation and extremely likely to focus all of his efforts in the direction of his rookie OT. To do that, he has to leave Steele on an island. Anyone who watched film in 2023 knows that’s a frightening idea. Steele was nothing short of abysmal in pass protection most of last season and while training camp and preseason have offered reason for optimism, it’s still a legitimate concern heading into Week 1. Smith is an accomplished Pro Bowl pass rusher ready to put his poor 2023 season behind him. He’s the likely opponent to face Steele, but far from the only option. Behind him is the extremely imposing Alex Wright. The 6-foot-5, 267-pound edge might be one of the more underrated players on their defense. It’s even possible Garrett strolls over to Steele’s side to see what he can do. Garrett takes the vast majority of his snaps at right DE but he’s no stranger to moving around. Regardless of who matches up against Steele, it’s imperative Steele handles business and doesn’t require McCarthy to pull support from Guyton to help him. TE Jake Ferguson vs Cleveland secondary Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports Scheming tight ends in a matchup is always difficult since the coverage changes from down to down. That’s not only tough on an article writer but also tricky for a play caller like Mike McCarthy. McCarthy wants to call fast-developing plays for Prescott on Sunday. He doesn’t want his franchise QB sitting in the pocket any longer than he has to against this Cleveland defense so he’s going to call as many plays inside the numbers as possible. To anyone who’s been paying attention, that’s CeeDee Lamb and the tight end Ferguson. Lamb will likely be the focus of the defense, so the stage is set for Ferguson the be the chain-mover this week. The Cowboys third-year TE has been a rising star in Dallas the past three seasons and now eyes a major breakout season in 2024. The success of Sunday will very likely come down to his ability to best the Browns’ linebacker corps and safety Grant Delpit. Honorable mention (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) The Cowboys interior linemen versus Cleveland’s interior linemen also warrant attention. Both teams will want to exhibit some degree of run-game aptitude in an effort to slow the pace and protect their passer. The kicking matchup is also critical since this might come down a battle of three-pointers on Sunday as both offenses struggle to get extended drives. For the Cowboys, it’s Ferguson, Steele and Diggs who will likely set the stage for Dallas’ success (or failure) in Week 1 against the Browns. [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Related articles The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders walk the field during the opening ceremonies of the training camp at River Ridge Fields in Oxnard on Saturday, July 29, 2023.
Cowboys offense can’t afford to fall behind in the count against Browns
Cowboys offense can’t afford to fall behind in the count against Browns reidhanson It’s said when a baseball pitcher delivers more balls than strikes, the pitcher “falls behind in the count.” A 3-1 count tilts the advantage strongly in the batter’s favor because in order to avoid a walk the pitcher has to throw a strike. This typically results in a clean ball across the plate and an eager batter hyper focused on seizing the opportunity presented in this rather transparent situation. There are parallels to be found between Mike McCarthy’s play-calling with the Cowboys and a pitching scenario such as this. Falling behind in the count leads to obvious across-the-plate strikes in the same way falling behind on first and second downs lead to obvious passing situations on thirds. Obvious passing downs are golden moments for thirsty pass rushers in the same way 3-1 counts are optimal for good hitters. In both situations the player can pin his ears back and attack. The hitter knows it’s likely to be in the zone across the plate and the pass rusher knows it’s likely to be drop back pass into the pocket. The Cowboys face one of the fiercest pass rushes in the NFL when they travel to Cleveland to take on the Browns in Week 1. Dallas brings with them a pair of unproven rookies on their offensive line who aren’t just playing in their first NFL game but they’re playing that game at their new respective positions. Breaking in a pair of rookies against one of the best pass rushes in the league is less than ideal. It’s critical the Cowboys don’t “fall behind in the count” and tilt the scales any further in the Browns direction. That doesn’t just mean productive early downs but also conceding defeat at times on third downs. As the late great Kenny Rodgers once said, “you gotta know when to hold ‘em and know when to fold ‘em.” Against the Browns, 3rd-and-10 or more might be a good time to fold ‘em and call a draw play. What this doesn’t mean is conservative play on early downs. Success rate (SR) has taught that just because a play earned positive yardage the offense isn’t automatically in a better situation. A typical three-yard run on first down puts the team in a statistically worse situation than where on first down. In fact, most early down runs do that. In 2023, early down runs from the Cowboys only offered a 37.9 percent SR while early down passes produced a 52.1 percent SR. When McCarthy calls a run, it needs to be a successful run, or he would have been better off with a pass attempt. Dak Prescott’s dropbacks consistently produce more yards and a higher success rate than runs, and yes, that factors in incomplete passes as well. Short dropbacks, quick passes and limited progressions are just what the doctor ordered in Cleveland. McCarthy must avoid obvious passing situations, like 3rd-and-long, at all costs. For the sake of the two rookie offensive linemen and the sake of Prescott himself, McCarthy can’t allow the offense to fall behind in the count. Related articles [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.
Star Points: Caelen Carson knee injury, Lamb ready to roll, Micah to go assassin mode
Dallas Cowboys add rookie cornerback to injury report :: LoneStar Live Link Caelen Carson was listed as a full participant Thursday but appeared on the report with a knee designation, signaling that he got hurt during practice. He was walking around the locker room without a noticeable limp after practice, so his level of participation in Friday’s walkthrough could hint at the true severity of the injury. The fifth-round draft pick had been promoted to starter status after DaRon Bland suffered a foot fracture last month. CeeDee Lamb full go for Cowboys versus Browns: ‘Yeah, I’m on’ :: The Mothership Link The ramp-up is complete. After being away from the team for the entire offseason, Lamb signed a megacontract extension and rejoined practice following the preseason. “Shout out to the guys, the coaches, for really guiding me throughout this whole week,” he said at Thursday’s all-important padded session. “Obviously, I knew that mentally I was ready and physically it’s a little different of a story, but today got me ready.” Parsons, Lawrence eyeing ideal situation as Cowboys look to start quick in Cleveland :: Cowboys Wire Link The Cowboys’ bookend pass rushers may be salivating. Cleveland has announced that left tackle Jedrick Wills, a top-10 draft pick in 2020, will not start in Week 1 as he continues to rehab a knee injury. His replacement, Jack Conklin, is an All-Pro… but at right tackle; the 30-year-old hasn’t played on the left side since his college days at Michigan State. Dawand Jones will sub in at right tackle, but he struggled last year, particularly in the run game. Cowboys set to start most rookies ever in Week 1 :: Derek Eagleton NFL Week 1: Three reasons to heart-eyes emoji the Cowboys-Browns matchup :: Cowboys Wire Link The Browns are on the upswing, but they haven’t exactly been the model of consistency lately. Quarterbacks Deshaun Watson hasn’t been the same since joining the team after his sexual harassment scandal. And their bellcow back, Nick Chubb, won’t play at all. If the Cowboys are looking for reasons to be extra optimistic about getting a Week 1 win, there’s three. Micah Parsons ‘ready to be an assassin’ for the Cowboys defense :: Fox 4 KDFW Link Parsons chose an unusual (and violent) analogy to describe the mindset he’s carrying into 2024. “There’s the killer, the hitman, and the assassin. You know, the killer is sloppy. He’s gonna get caught. You know, he’s not very good at what he does, but he’s a killer. You know, he’s roaming the streets. You got the hitman. The hitman might not get caught. But you know who did it. You know he’s probably a little bit more clean. And the assassin, you probably don’t even know he’s there and you know he’s done it. So, each time, you really want to develop him. And you know, at this fourth-year mark for me, I think I’m ready to be an assassin,” he said. Composite power rankings have Cowboys all over map, but ultimately looking good vs Browns :: Cowboys Wire Link Looking across 21 sets of power rankings, the Cowboys can be found as high as 5th and as low as 19th as they head into their Week 1 matchup in Cleveland. They average out, though, with a ranking of 11th. The Browns come in just below, at 13.19, meaning Sunday’s game should be a close contest. What did Cowboys owner Jerry Jones unload in interview on Stephen A. Smith podcast? :: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Link Over the 70-minute chat, Jones dodged a direct question about not pursuing Derrick Henry, he stuck to his guns on how he drags out getting his biggest contracts done, he downplayed any notion of hiring of Deion Sanders to coach the team, and he expressed surprise that Cowboys fans aren’t more optimistic about this season. But he also confirmed that Dak Prescott is very much a part of the franchise’s long-term plans. Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy sees ‘opportunity’ in lame-duck season :: ESPN Link If McCarthy is unhappy about having to coach through the final year of his contract- with nothing in place for 2025- he’s not admitting it. “I get what goes with contracts and I really don’t want to speak on it, because I haven’t spoke on it, because there’s really nothing to talk about. It doesn’t matter,” McCarthy said. “I can’t stand up in front of a group of men and consistently on a daily basis demand that they focus their time and energy on winning, and then I’m up here talking about things that have nothing to do with winning.” If Troy Aikman could apply one current-day NFL rule to when he played, what would it be? :: Dallas Morning News Link The Hall of Famer, whose career was cut short by a series of concussions and recurring back problems, says he would have enjoyed the protection that today’s quarterbacks are provided by current NFL rules. “I should put together a highlight real of the worst hits I took,” Aikman joked. “You would think [the] players probably had been banned from the NFL, and there wasn’t even a penalty on the play.” The three-time Super Bowl winner and current broadcaster has, ironically, gotten in trouble for suggesting on-air that today’s QBs are too soft. No substantive changes to kickoff rule for regular season :: Tom Pelissero
Cowboys Roundup: TE lands on Week 1 injury report, Watson predicted to light up Dallas DBs
Updates: John Stephens added to injury report :: The Mothership Link The tight end who missed all of 2023 with an ACL tear may be in doubt for this season’s opener, too. Stephens made the first injury report of the season with hamstring trouble. He was the only Cowboys player on the roster who did not practice on Wednesday. Cowboys WR Brandin Cooks: Amount of criticism cast on Dak Prescott ‘blasphemy’ :: NFL.com Link The veteran receiver called the widespread criticism of his quarterback “unbelievable,” saying, “The guy shows up every year, year in and year out.” Cooks put it on himself and his teammates to do more to help Prescott. “A lot of those great quarterbacks that I’ve been with- Tom [Brady] and Drew [Brees]- don’t get me wrong, they won a lot of games, won a lot of Super Bowls, but they had a lot of help around them as well, right?” he asked. “When we hear that disrespect, I take that personally and as his teammates we should take that personally.” Rapoport: Prescott, Cowboys ‘are not close’ on new deal prior to Week 1 :: Kevin Gray Jr. McCarthy reveals 2024 theme, but what are these Cowboys actually ‘rooted’ in? :: Cowboys Wire Link The coach’s theme for the season seeks to build off the foundation he’s built over his four years in Dallas. But McCarthy will need buy-in from a team who largely has even less history with the club; only 19% of the Cowboys’ presumptive Week 1 roster has been there with him from the start. McCarthy’s hoping for explosive growth in Year Five; it may be the only thing keeping him “rooted” in Dallas past 2024. NFL Hope-O-Meter results: Ranking how optimistic fans are for all 32 teams :: The Athletic Link Thirty-six regular-season wins in three years have not carried over to 2024 optimism for Cowboys Nation. The team ranks 30th out of 32 in this survey, with only a pathetic 19.9% of fans feeling hopeful about the Cowboys’ chances this season. Fans pointed to a poor offseason, contract uncertainty, and a “toxic” atmosphere thanks to the Jones family. (Fans were surveyed before CeeDee Lamb’s contract extension came down, but that news is unlikely to have moved the needle dramatically.) New jersey number, Who’s this? Cowboys 53-man roster, practice squad for Week 1 vs Cleveland Browns :: Cowboys Wire Link Among the notable jersey updates, Caelen Carson will now wear the old No. 21 that terrorized opposing quarterbacks when it was worn by Deion Sanders. Carl Lawson inherits Leighton Vander Esch’s old No. 55, Ryan Flournoy moves to 80, and Brevyn Spann-Ford takes over No. 89. NFL scout provides huge prediction for Browns QB Deshaun Watson vs. Cowboys :: SI.com Link One AFC-based scout is expecting Watson to light things up on Sunday: “I don’t think the Cowboys’ secondary is going to be very good. Losing Stephon Gilmore was a huge setback for them. Trevon Diggs is a playmaker, but he is capable of giving up big plays, too. Watson could throw an interception; I just won’t predict that. I think around 250 to 300 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions. I also think Cleveland will come away with a win. With all the drama that Dallas has gone through this offseason, I expect a slightly slow start as they figure everything out.” Playing for hated college team will help Cowboys rookie LB ‘cut it loose’ as Week 1 starter in Cleveland :: Cowboys WIre Link Marist Liufau says his own experience at some of the nation’s most intimidating college venues has him well prepared for Cleveland’s Dawg Pound. “You either love Notre Dame or you hate them, so everywhere we go on the road, everyone hates us,” he said of his alma mater. “That’s helped me to grow as a player and kind of handle those environments and sort it out.” The rookie linebacker is set to start in Week 1. A heavy task? Dallas Cowboys rookie CB Caelen Carson is ready for his NFL debut against Cleveland :: DLLS Link The fifth-round rookie has been thrust into a Week 1 starting role with the injury to DaRon Bland, but he’s taking it in stride. The same thing happened to him as a true freshman at Wake Forest. “I don’t try and make it a big moment. It’s just going to be like any other game,” Carson said. “I’ve been playing football all my life, so I just feel like nothing changes. It’s just more people and television, but at the end of the day, you’ve been doing this since you were five years old.” Cowboys rookie LT Tyler Guyton faces toughest challenge of year in Week 1 :: Cowboys Wire Link The first-round draft pick has arguably the toughest one-on-one matchup in the NFL right out of the gate in 2024, facing Browns defensive end and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. Guyton has done nothing but impress in camp and the preseason, but Garrett is a different kind of game-wrecker. The good news is that everything after Week 1 is likely to be easier for the young left tackle. PFF thinks Micah Parsons is going to tie this all-time Cowboys record :: Cowboys Wire Link The polarizing outlet predicts Dallas to finish third in the division, but they also forecast Parsons to end the season with 20 sacks. Somehow, though, that’s still not good enough to win him the Defensive Player of the Year honors. The Original No. 88 of the Dallas Cowboys explains how the ’88 Club’ started at No. 13 :: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Link The Cowboys’ “88 Club” has become an entity all its own, spanning several generations of legendary Dallas receivers to wear the famed number. But it almost never got off the ground with Drew Pearson; he was issued No. 13 before his first preseason game with the club back in 1973. No. 88 belonged to Ron Sellers, who was later traded to Miami.
NFL Week 1: Three reasons to heart-eyes emoji the Cowboys-Browns matchup
To paraphrase from a famous song, ‘It was all good just a week ago’ for the Browns starting QB. OK, so it may have been a little longer than that, as one would have to think really hard to remember the last time Watson was a top quarterback. In 2020, Watson was a Pro Bowl signal caller for the Houston Texans throwing for 33 touchdowns. It was his third straight All-Star season, and Watson was among the game’s best QBs during his time in Houston. Then came the sexual harassment scandal that derailed Watson’s career. Watson has since played in only 12 games, and thrown for just 14 scores against nine interceptions. Since the time off in 2021, Watson hasn’t been the same in his last two years with the Browns. Watson also hasn’t played in the preseason while still rehabbing from the shoulder injury that cost him most of his 2023 season. However, there is no worry about him missing the season opener.
Composite power rankings have Cowboys all over map, but ultimately looking good vs Browns
Power rankings can be fun to look at and certainly make for serious sports debate, but it’s always important to take the source into consideration. For every analyst who thinks Team A is markedly better than Team B, there’s another talking head from somewhere else who says just the opposite. The truth usually lies somewhere in the middle. Germany-based stats guy René Bugner, familiar to NFL fans for compiling draft report cards every year and giving composite grades, has worked his spreadsheet magic on power rankings for Week 1 of the 2024 regular season. Using the published rankings from 21 different outlets, Bugner delivers a more comprehensive look at where each team in the league really falls in the eyes of all the major analysts, not just one. Unsurprisingly, there’s quite a bit of fluctuation in how the experts see the Cowboys shaping up for their opener in Cleveland, but the overall average ranking should leave fans feeling optimistic about Sunday’s game versus the Browns. Dallas ranks as high as 5th, earning that spot from both Mike Clay at ESPN and Frank Schwab at Yahoo Sports. John Kosko at PFF has the Cowboys slotted 6th, and Josh Kendall of The Athletic puts them at 7. Those relatively high marks get dragged down somewhat by Nate Davis at USA Today and Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk, who have the Cowboys ranked 18th and 19th, respectively. Mark Maske of the Washington Post grades them slightly better, at 15th, while the New York Post‘s Ryan Dunleavy and Vinnie Iyer of Sporting News rank Dallas 14th this week. [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] The other 12 sets of power rankings, though, all have the Cowboys sitting between 9th and 12th. And that’s where the Cowboys finish, with an overall average ranking of 11.00, good for 10th-best in the league this week. The Browns aren’t too far behind, ranking as high as 9th and as low as 19th. Their average ranking of 13.19 signals that the two teams will likely be well-matched for a close contest when they meet on the shores of Lake Erie. Related Links:
Parsons, Lawrence eyeing ideal situation as Cowboys look to start quick in Cleveland
Parsons, Lawrence eyeing ideal situation as Cowboys look to start quick in Cleveland reidhanson When Mike Zimmer joined Dallas this offseason to take over defensive playcalling, he spoke of moving Micah Parsons around and creating mismatches and opportunities for his young All-Pro. All too often under the last regime Parsons was schemed against, double and even triple teamed. No more, implied Zimmer. The news was music to many Cowboys’ fans ears and a sign Parsons would be more of a factor in critical situations down the stretch. but that may all have to wait until Week 2. The Browns, Dallas’ Week 1 opponent, have been unsettled at their tackle positions. Cleveland announced Jedrick Wills, former No. 10 pick and starting left tackle since 2020, will not be the starting tackle this week against the Cowboys. Instead, Jack Conklin will get the start. Conklin, a career RT, hasn’t played LT since college. The 30-year-old has an All-Pro resume working in his favor but faces a tough draw going up against Parsons in Week 1. For as nice as it would be to move Parsons around all afternoon, the best opportunities may come rushing from the right side and testing the Browns temporary Band-aid at LT. Even if Wills rotates in the game at LT like Cleveland has suggested, Parsons may still want to test the waters of the rehabbing OT. The task at right tackle now falls on second-year pro Dawand Jones. Jones took 710 snaps at RT during his rookie season. The former Buckeye struggled particularly in the run game; an area in which DeMarcus Lawrence thrives that could lend itself to advantageous matchups for both Cowboys edges. Both of Cleveland’s starting OTs are flawed enough to be exploitable, Jones for his inexperience in the NFL and Conklin for his unfamiliarity with the position. It potentially sets the stage for an ideal Week 1 matchup for the Cowboys top two pass rushers. While everyone is talking about the Myles Garrett and Tyler Guyton battle, the real impact on the edge could come at the hands of the Cowboys defense. Related articles [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Baltimore Ravens 2024 odds, tips and betting trends | Week 1
The Kansas City Chiefs (0-0) will play the Baltimore Ravens (0-0) on Thursday, September 5, 2024 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs are listed as favorites in this one, with the spread sitting at 3 points. An over/under of 47 points has been set for the outing. Last year the Chiefs won the Super Bowl, after going 11-6 in the regular season. Offensively, they averaged 21.8 points per game (15th in NFL), and they conceded 17.3 per game (second in NFL) defensively. The Ravens were knocked out of the playoffs in the Conference Championship round last year, after finishing 13-4 in the regular season. They scored 28.4 points per game (fourth in NFL) and gave up 16.5 (first). Chiefs vs Ravens betting information NFL odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Thursday at 1:35 a.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Spread Favorite: Kansas City (-3) Moneyline: Kansas City (-152), Baltimore (+128) Total: 47 points Chiefs betting insights Kansas City was 5-4 against the spread, and 5-4 overall, at home last year. The Chiefs beat the spread 10 times in 17 games last year. Last year, as 3-point favorites or greater at home, Kansas City was 4-2 ATS. The Chiefs went 8-5 ATS as 3-point favorites or more last season. In nine home games last year, Kansas City hit the over once. In 17 Chiefs games last season, five went over the total. Chiefs leaders Patrick Mahomes: 4,183 PASS YDS / 261.4 YPG / 67.2% / 27 TD / 14 INT / 75 CAR / 389 RUSH YDS / 0 TD Isiah Pacheco: 205 CAR / 935 YDS / 66.8 YPG / 7 TD / 44 REC / 244 YDS / 17.4 YPG / 2 TD Travis Kelce: 93 REC / 984 YDS / 65.6 YPG / 5 TD Rashee Rice: 79 REC / 938 YDS / 58.6 YPG / 7 TD Marquise Brown: 51 REC / 574 YDS / 44.2 YPG / 4 TD Chiefs vs Ravens game info Date: Thursday, September 5, 2024 Time: 8:20 p.m. ET City: Kansas City, Missouri Venue: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium TV Channel: NBC Live Stream: Fubo (Watch Chiefs vs Ravens on Fubo) Live Stream: Watch on Peacock Watch the Kansas City Chiefs all season on Fubo! More NFL news Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Cowboys Wire operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
