The NFL season is back, and the Dallas Cowboys won't have to wait long for a true road test as they head to Cleveland for a season opener against the Browns. Sunday marks the 33rd all-time meeting between these two foes, and the first trip to Cleveland since 2016.
Dallas has won four of the last five meetings with the Browns as they look to continue their recent run of success.
Here are the 10 most notable "big facts" to remember ahead of Sunday's 3:25 p.m. kickoff on FOX.
Here are the 10 most notable "big facts" to remember ahead of Sunday's 3:25 p.m. kickoff on FOX.
Prescott, Brady and Mahomes?
Dak Prescott enters 2024 with a 73-41 regular season record since being drafted in 2016. The only two quarterbacks to have more wins in that timespan are Tom Brady (79) and Patrick Mahomes (74).
Return of the Back
With his first snap on Sunday, Ezekiel Elliott will become the second running back in NFL history to surpass 10,000-yards from scrimmage before leaving for another team and then ultimately returning to his original team. He joins Ahman Green, who spent seven seasons with the Packers from 2000-06, before returning to Green Bay in 2009 – also a team coached by Mike McCarthy.
Better With Age
Amari Cooper, who spent parts of four seasons with the Cowboys from 2018-21, actually had one of his better seasons of his career this past year with the Browns. In 2023, Cooper had a career-high in receiving yards with 1,250. His 72 catches tied for the sixth-most of his career, but his 17.4 yards per catch average was also the highest for any single season since he entered the league in 2015 with the Raiders.
Not-so-Grand Openings
The Cowboys have lost every Week 1 matchup since 2009, except for the ones played against the New York Giants. Against teams like the Buccaneers, Rams, Panthers, 49ers, Jets and Washington, Dallas is 0-7. But they have redeemed themselves against the Giants, going 6-1.
Charging into Cleveland
Dallas and Cleveland will meet for the third time in a season opener, all three of which have been played in Cleveland. The three games took place in 1967, 1991 and 2008, with all three games won by the Cowboys.
20/20 Vision?
The last time Dallas and Cleveland met on the gridiron was in Week 4 of the 2020 season at AT&T Stadium. Cleveland won the game, 49-38, and tallied 508 total yards while Dallas finished with 566. The 1,074 combined yardage is still the most for a single game in Cowboys history.
Time for some Turnovers?
In 2023, the Browns offense led the NFL in turnovers with 37 (23 interceptions, 14 fumbles). Cleveland allowed a turnover in every game except for one and finished with multiple in all but four games last season. Dallas finished 11-0 when winning or tying in turnover margin last season and was 12-1 when recording a takeaway.
House Dawgs
Cleveland was one of the best teams when playing at home in 2023, finishing with an 8-1 record at Browns Stadium. The defense played a big part in that, allowing only 13.9 points per game at home compared to 31.3 points per game on the road.
Better and Better?
Since the Super Bowl was created in the late 1960s, CeeDee Lamb is one of two receivers drafted in the first round who has increased his catch total in each of his first four seasons. Only Lamb and Reggie Wayne, who did it in his first six seasons, have accomplished that feat. But Lamb will have some work to do to overtake last year's total as his 135 catches were the sixth-most by any receiver in a single season. In comparison, Wayne had 221 receptions after his fourth year while Lamb is already at 395.
Great on Great
This Week 1 matchup between the Cowboys and Browns is a battle between two sides of the ball that were elite in 2023. The Cowboys led the NFL in scoring at 29.9 points per game, including five games of 40-plus points. The Browns were first in the NFL in total defense, allowing just 270.2 yards per game. Something has to give Sunday in Cleveland.
