Dallas Cowboys vs Cleveland Browns Prediction NFL Picks 9/8/24

In this article we will formulate a Dallas Cowboys vs Cleveland Browns prediction for this NFL game on Sunday, September 8th at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this week one matchup.

Dallas Cowboys Betting Preview

The Dallas Cowboys went 12-5 last season and they finished first in the NFC East standings. Dallas started the season with a 5-3 record through their first eight games, but they went 7-2 in their last nine regular season games to win the division. Dallas had home field advantage in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, but they lost by a score of 48-32 against the Packers, which was a very disappointing end to the season. The Dallas offense scored 29.9 points per game, while the defense allowed 18.5 points against per game. 

Dallas went 1-2 in the preseason, which started with a 13-12 loss against the Rams. The Cowboys bounced back with a 27-12 win over the Raiders in their second game, but lost to the Chargers by a score of 26-19 in the finale. Dallas will have Dak Prescott back under center this year, who had a very good 2023 season. The Cowboys will be starting Ezekiel Elliott at running back, which is a downgrade from last season. Dallas did get Lamb’s contract situation figured out, so he and Cooks will be the first two wide outs. 

Cleveland Browns Betting Preview

The Cleveland Browns went 11-6 last year and they finished second in the AFC North behind Baltimore. Cleveland was 4-3 through their first seven games, but they went 7-3 in their last 10 regular season games to clinch a wild card spot. The Browns had to go on the road to play Houston in the Wild Card round, where they lost by a score of 45-14. Cleveland had to deal with an injury to Watson last season, so they also started Flacco, Thompson-Robinson, Walker, and Driskel, but Flacco was able to produce very well for them. 

Cleveland went 0-3 in the preseason, which started with a 23-10 loss against Green Bay. The Browns lost their second game against the Vikings by a score of 27-12 and lost the finale by a score of 37-33 against the Seahawks. Deshaun Watson will be under center for the Browns in this game and he really needs to play well this season if Cleveland wants to get back into the playoffs. Cleveland will have a bit of a committee approach to the running back spot, as Chubb is still out. The receivers should be pretty solid, but can Watson consistently hit the open man is a huge question. 

Why the Cowboys will cover

• The Browns have lost 11 of their last 12 Week 1 games against NFC opponents.
• The Cowboys have won three of their last four September games as underdogs.
• The Cowboys have covered the spread in five of their last six September games against AFC opponents.
• The Browns have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five home openers as favorites.
• The Browns have lost the first quarter in each of their last three September home games against NFC opponents.
• The Browns have lost the first half in six of their last seven Week 1 home games against NFC opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of the Browns’ last four games have gone OVER the total points line.
• Each of the Cowboys’ last four road games against AFC opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.

Cleveland Browns Player Prop Facts

• David Njoku has scored at least one touchdown in four of the Browns’ last five Sunday games as favorites.
• Deshaun Watson has thrown two or more touchdowns in five of his last six Sunday appearances with his team as a home favorite.
• Jerry Jeudy has recorded 39+ receiving yards in nine of his 10 previous appearances with his team as a favorite against NFC opponents.
• Deshaun Watson has recorded 22+ rushing yards in each of his last six appearances against NFC opponents.
• Nick Chubb has recorded 99+ rushing and receiving yards in eight of his last nine home appearances.
• Jameis Winston has recorded 226+ passing yards in each of his four previous appearances with his team as a favorite against NFC East opponents.
• Jameis Winston has recorded 23+ completions in three of his last four September appearances.
• Juan Thornhill is just two away from 10 career interceptions.

Dallas Cowboys Player Prop Facts

• CeeDee Lamb has scored at least one touchdown in each of the Cowboys’ last six Sunday regular season games.
• Dak Prescott has thrown two or more touchdowns in 10 of the Cowboys’ last 11 regular season games.
• Ezekiel Elliott has recorded 51+ rushing yards in each of his six previous appearances with his team as an underdog against AFC North opponents.
• Jake Ferguson has recorded 44+ receiving yards in each of the Cowboys’ last five Sunday games.
• Dak Prescott has recorded 253+ passing yards in seven of the Cowboys’ last eight games against AFC opponents.
• Dak Prescott has recorded 24+ completions in five of his last six September road appearances.
• Ezekiel Elliott has recorded 58+ rushing and receiving yards in each of his 19 previous Sunday regular season appearances with the Cowboys as road underdogs.
• Dak Prescott ranked 1st in the NFL in passing touchdowns (36) last season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Browns ranked 1st in the NFL in time of possession per game (32:18) last season.
• The Browns ranked T1st in the NFL in Q2 win percentage (64.7) last season.
• The Cowboys ranked 32nd in the NFL in punt return yards per game (5.8) last season.
• The Cowboys ranked 32nd in the NFL in total punt yards (2262) last season.

Dallas Cowboys vs Cleveland Browns Prediction 

Dallas comes into this season with sky high expectations once again, and they will look to replicate their 2023 regular season success. The Cowboys won the NFC East last season, but they were embarrassed at home in their lone playoff game. Cleveland was able to make the playoffs last season, despite a ton of injuries, and they will look for a big season out of Watson. This should be a very good game, but I am still not sold on Watson. I know Dallas’ offense should be great once again this season and I will take them with the points here. 

David Racey's Pick: Cowboys +2.5