Cowboys defense stifles Browns in season-opening win, 33-17
The Dallas Cowboys dominated the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, opening up the season with an impressive 33-17 road victory. Everything seemed to click for the Cowboys, but most impressive was Mike Zimmer’s defense.
The defensive unit bottled up the Cleveland offense in the first half, holding Browns QB Deshaun Watson to just 36 passing yards. The team as a whole couldn’t get anything going in the first half, as they had 54 total yards and only one first down. It didn’t get much better in the second half, as the team finished with just 17 points and 230 total yards.
The team put consistent pressure on Watson, sacking him six times. Highly-touted second-year linebacker DeMarvion Overshown showed off his speed on an impressive sack to get the Browns offense off the field on a fourth down. He also had a team-leading 11 tackles.
Newly-acquired LB Eric Kendricks had a big day for the team, getting an interception and also adding a sack. CB Trevon Diggs got his first interception since his season-ending torn ACL last season, showing that he is still the ball-hawking corner that fans are used to watching.
Micah Parsons was a one-man wrecking crew in the game with four tackles, a sack, a tipped pass for an interception and five QB hits. His partner-in-crime DeMarcus Lawrence had five tackles, two sacks, four QB hits and forced a fumble.
The Cowboys will hope to continue their dominance on the defensive side of the ball next week at home against the New Orleans Saints. The Saints walloped the Carolina Panthers in their opener, winning 47-10. If Zimmer’s unit can play similarly to the way they did against the Browns, the Cowboys could open up the season with a nice 2-0 record.