 Cowboys-Browns Preview This looks like it is going to prove to be one of the most entertaining games of the weekend. The Cowboys are once again out to prove that their regular season success from a year ago wasn’t fluke while the Browns show that 10-6 can get them in the playoffs this year or they will try to win even more games. Cowboys Offense vs. Browns Defense The Cowboys have their share of in juries to content with and the wide receiver corps is still the ultimate question mark as they try to find who is going to be the right compliment to the enigma Terrell Owens. With his brand new huge contract it is going to be Marion Barber who should be the focus of the Cowboy offense and you can sprinkle in key contributions from rookie first round pick Felix Jones. The line will be shuffled a bit with Montrae Holland likely playing for Kyle Kosier at guard and it will be interesting to see how they stack up against the improved Browns defense, one that the coaching staff and those around Cleveland have been touting during the entire offseason. Shaun Rodgers was the big offseason acquisition as it looks like Cleveland finally has an anchor to stabilize their 3-4 alignment on the line. While Dallas has some injuries to contend with so does Cleveland as Brodney Poole and Sean Jones will be playing the safety spots but both are far from being 100%. Look for Dallas to utilize their most successful passing weapon,. Jason Witten and he could be doing it on longer patterns stretching the field. Browns Offense vs Cowboys Defense We all know the Browns came out of nowhere last year with Derek Anderson throwing for a ton or yards and getting a slot in the Pro Bowl for the AFC. It was the stabilization of the running game that paid huge dividends for the Browns last season. The left side of the line underwent a complete overhaul as Eric Steinbach was brought in from state rival Cincinnati and Joe Thomas was the third pick overall and was immediately given the left tackle spot. Jamal Lewis was a castoff from Baltimore asked to come in and help a team that was dead last in the AFC in rushing in 2006. Thomas went to the Pro Bowl as a rookie, Lewis enjoyed a resurgence with 1,304 yards and suddenly the Browns had balance to go with their potent passing attack. Much like the Cowboys the passing game runs through the tight end spot where Kellen Winslow Jr. is finally living up to the hype that preceded his arrival from Miami (Fla.). Braylon Edwards enjoyed a breakout season where he established himself as the up and coming receiver in the AFC but it was Winslow that made many things possible. Winslow worked the short underneath routes, once again showed speed to get downfield and his blocking improved greatly. The Browns now add Donte Stallworth, a talented player that can stretch a defense but has been an injury liability and is playing for his fourth team in four years. Terence Newman has shown to be one of the NFC standout cornerbacks but he is listed as doubtful which means we are going to see more of Adam (former Pac Man) Jones than we thought. The Cowboys will be rotating their defensive lineman often as they are deep but still lack the talent to get after the quarterback they had hoped for. Most of the pressure will come along the edges with Anthony Spencer and DeMarcus Ware. Special Teams Felix Jones brings an exciting element to the return game for Dallas as does Adam Jones, Expect to see both of the making returns for the Cowboys. Injuries continues to be the main concern in this matchup as AFC Pro Bowl return man Joshua Cribbs has been fighting an ankle injury, he will play in this game but it remains to be seen just what the effects of the injury will be and if they will linger. Nick Folk was the man in Dallas last year as he proved to be consistent down the stretch and has a lot of leg strength. This could be a game where Folk shows how valuable he really is. Summary I expect the Cowboys to win this by 7-10 points even though they are on the road. I do think the Browns have made strides on defense but Tony Romo should get off to his typical hot start and Marion Barber will eventually wear this defense down.
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