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Overview
Two teams that have traditionally relied on the power running game to move the ball may need to turn to the passing game to get the victory this week. There are questions in both backfields, with Cleveland RB Lee Suggs' status up in the air and Dallas RB Eddie George losing carries to his backups.
However, there are two veteran leaders at quarterback in the Browns' Jeff Garcia and the Cowboys' Vinny Testaverde. Both should be productive working against secondaries that lack ideal depth and are vulnerable to the big play. It may be the offensive line that does the best job of protecting its respective quarterback that decides the outcome of this game.
When the Browns have the ball
Rushing: Suggs, who missed last week's game with a neck stinger, has been cleared to practice this week but it's unclear whether or not he will start or even play at all. If Suggs is unavailable, William Green will continue to get the majority of the carries with James Jackson getting some touches in relief. Green's solid performance last week allows Cleveland to ease Suggs back into the lineup, so expect Green to play a big role regardless of Suggs' status.
One of the biggest concerns for Dallas' defense is their lack of depth at corner. Offensive coordinator Terry Robiskie will look to take advantage by spreading the field with some three-receiver sets and then running inside. The spread-sets should force the Cowboys into their nickel package and attacking the middle will help negate Dallas' speed at linebacker. In addition, explosive DT La'Roi Glover is undersized and he has tendency to wear down when teams run at him consistently. Pounding the ball between the tackles will help keep him on his heels when the Browns drop back to pass.
The Cowboys uncharacteristically gave up some long runs last week. Dallas' one-gap attacking scheme relies on its players to maintain their gap responsibilities and swarming to the ball in pursuit. If the front seven doesn't get into better position, take better angles to the ball and wrap up upon contact, Green and/or Suggs could break some long runs.
Passing:
Cleveland's offensive line has had some problems adjusting to QB Jeff Garcia's cadence, and the result has been some false-start penalties. Garcia will need to change up the snap count and use some hard counts so the offensive line must be on the same page. If Garcia is unable to use different counts and vary the volume of his voice, the Cowboys' defensive line will have an easier time anticipating the snap. Dallas' front seven is at its best exploding off the ball and making plays in the backfield, so the Browns don't want to give them that advantage.
Dallas' secondary is talented, but it's also very young – especially since FS Darren Woodson is out with a back injury. With Garcia's ability to avoid pressure and throw on the run, it's critical that the Cowboys' back seven plays with discipline in coverage. They cannot leave a receiver to play the run until Garcia crosses the line of scrimmage, or Garcia will just throw the ball over their heads for long gains.
The matchup between TE Kellen Winslow and SS Roy Williams should be a war between two up-and-coming stars in this league. Williams has the size and speed to limit Winslow's production, but he can be overaggressive; he will bite on play action at times. Williams struggle to recover in time to make the play if Winslow gets a step on him.
When the Cowboys have the ball
Rushing: Head coach Bill Parcells has made it clear that Dallas is going to use a running back-by-committee approach. While that could change if Julius Jones emerges as the go-to back, that won't happen this week. Jones missed last week's game with sore ribs and its unknown if he'll play in this game.
Expect ReShard Lee, Richie Anderson and Jones, when he is healthy, to take carries away from George. There's no question that Cleveland's run defense is coming off an impressive performance, holding Baltimore RB Jamal Lewis to just 57 yards and no touchdowns on 20 carries. However, Dallas has the passing game to keep the Browns honest, unlike the Ravens. Cleveland SS Robert Griffith shouldn't spend much time playing in the box, and the Browns won't play four linebackers at the same like they did in that game. All of the Cowboys' backs should benefit.
Offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon should come out running the ball at RDE Kenard Lang. Lang had an outstanding season-opener, but he worked against Ravens LOT Jonathan Ogden's backup much of the game. He shouldn't be nearly as productive going up against LOT Flozell Adams, who went to his first Pro Bowl last year. Taking Lang out of the game early should help set the tone for the battle in the trenches.
Passing:
Dallas doesn't want QB Vinny Testaverde to throw 50 passes a game like he did last week. That number should come down, but the Cowboys have faith in Testaverde. They will abandon the run and focus on the passing game again if it gives them the best chance to win. So don't be surprised to see the offense run through Testaverde 's arm if the backs struggle early.
Testaverde should get TE Jason Witten involved through play action early in this game. Witten has the burst to get behind the linebackers when they bite on the fake; his size will cause matchup problems for the Browns' secondary. Getting the ball to Witten in play action will make the safeties less aggressive in run support and it will help open up the outside routes for WRs Terry Glenn and Keyshawn Johnson.
No. 3 WR Antonio Bryant should continue to play a big role, as Carthon will spread the field with some multi-receiver sets; Cleveland doesn't have the depth to match up. Bryant gives the Cowboys' another big-play threat to complement Glenn, making it difficult for the Browns to roll their coverage to one side of the field or the other. With Bryant and Glenn stretching the field vertically, Johnson should have some success getting open underneath where he is at his best.
Scouts' Edge
These two teams appear very similar on paper: Both have new starting quarterbacks, both have some playmakers at receiver, both lack a quality nickel package and both have questions at running back. However, there is one key difference. And that's Cleveland's depth at running back.
Even if Suggs doesn't play, the Browns won't miss a beat because Green can just step in. Cleveland's running game should keep Dallas honest and set up play-action. Garcia will continue to make some big plays with his feet as well as his arm, while Testaverde will counter with a big game of his own. Look for the Cowboys' running game to sputter at critical times, especially in short-yardage situations and in the red zone.
Two teams that have traditionally relied on the power running game to move the ball may need to turn to the passing game to get the victory this week. There are questions in both backfields, with Cleveland RB Lee Suggs' status up in the air and Dallas RB Eddie George losing carries to his backups.
However, there are two veteran leaders at quarterback in the Browns' Jeff Garcia and the Cowboys' Vinny Testaverde. Both should be productive working against secondaries that lack ideal depth and are vulnerable to the big play. It may be the offensive line that does the best job of protecting its respective quarterback that decides the outcome of this game.
When the Browns have the ball
Rushing: Suggs, who missed last week's game with a neck stinger, has been cleared to practice this week but it's unclear whether or not he will start or even play at all. If Suggs is unavailable, William Green will continue to get the majority of the carries with James Jackson getting some touches in relief. Green's solid performance last week allows Cleveland to ease Suggs back into the lineup, so expect Green to play a big role regardless of Suggs' status.
One of the biggest concerns for Dallas' defense is their lack of depth at corner. Offensive coordinator Terry Robiskie will look to take advantage by spreading the field with some three-receiver sets and then running inside. The spread-sets should force the Cowboys into their nickel package and attacking the middle will help negate Dallas' speed at linebacker. In addition, explosive DT La'Roi Glover is undersized and he has tendency to wear down when teams run at him consistently. Pounding the ball between the tackles will help keep him on his heels when the Browns drop back to pass.
The Cowboys uncharacteristically gave up some long runs last week. Dallas' one-gap attacking scheme relies on its players to maintain their gap responsibilities and swarming to the ball in pursuit. If the front seven doesn't get into better position, take better angles to the ball and wrap up upon contact, Green and/or Suggs could break some long runs.
Passing:
Cleveland's offensive line has had some problems adjusting to QB Jeff Garcia's cadence, and the result has been some false-start penalties. Garcia will need to change up the snap count and use some hard counts so the offensive line must be on the same page. If Garcia is unable to use different counts and vary the volume of his voice, the Cowboys' defensive line will have an easier time anticipating the snap. Dallas' front seven is at its best exploding off the ball and making plays in the backfield, so the Browns don't want to give them that advantage.
Dallas' secondary is talented, but it's also very young – especially since FS Darren Woodson is out with a back injury. With Garcia's ability to avoid pressure and throw on the run, it's critical that the Cowboys' back seven plays with discipline in coverage. They cannot leave a receiver to play the run until Garcia crosses the line of scrimmage, or Garcia will just throw the ball over their heads for long gains.
The matchup between TE Kellen Winslow and SS Roy Williams should be a war between two up-and-coming stars in this league. Williams has the size and speed to limit Winslow's production, but he can be overaggressive; he will bite on play action at times. Williams struggle to recover in time to make the play if Winslow gets a step on him.
When the Cowboys have the ball
Rushing: Head coach Bill Parcells has made it clear that Dallas is going to use a running back-by-committee approach. While that could change if Julius Jones emerges as the go-to back, that won't happen this week. Jones missed last week's game with sore ribs and its unknown if he'll play in this game.
Expect ReShard Lee, Richie Anderson and Jones, when he is healthy, to take carries away from George. There's no question that Cleveland's run defense is coming off an impressive performance, holding Baltimore RB Jamal Lewis to just 57 yards and no touchdowns on 20 carries. However, Dallas has the passing game to keep the Browns honest, unlike the Ravens. Cleveland SS Robert Griffith shouldn't spend much time playing in the box, and the Browns won't play four linebackers at the same like they did in that game. All of the Cowboys' backs should benefit.
Offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon should come out running the ball at RDE Kenard Lang. Lang had an outstanding season-opener, but he worked against Ravens LOT Jonathan Ogden's backup much of the game. He shouldn't be nearly as productive going up against LOT Flozell Adams, who went to his first Pro Bowl last year. Taking Lang out of the game early should help set the tone for the battle in the trenches.
Passing:
Dallas doesn't want QB Vinny Testaverde to throw 50 passes a game like he did last week. That number should come down, but the Cowboys have faith in Testaverde. They will abandon the run and focus on the passing game again if it gives them the best chance to win. So don't be surprised to see the offense run through Testaverde 's arm if the backs struggle early.
Testaverde should get TE Jason Witten involved through play action early in this game. Witten has the burst to get behind the linebackers when they bite on the fake; his size will cause matchup problems for the Browns' secondary. Getting the ball to Witten in play action will make the safeties less aggressive in run support and it will help open up the outside routes for WRs Terry Glenn and Keyshawn Johnson.
No. 3 WR Antonio Bryant should continue to play a big role, as Carthon will spread the field with some multi-receiver sets; Cleveland doesn't have the depth to match up. Bryant gives the Cowboys' another big-play threat to complement Glenn, making it difficult for the Browns to roll their coverage to one side of the field or the other. With Bryant and Glenn stretching the field vertically, Johnson should have some success getting open underneath where he is at his best.
Scouts' Edge
These two teams appear very similar on paper: Both have new starting quarterbacks, both have some playmakers at receiver, both lack a quality nickel package and both have questions at running back. However, there is one key difference. And that's Cleveland's depth at running back.
Even if Suggs doesn't play, the Browns won't miss a beat because Green can just step in. Cleveland's running game should keep Dallas honest and set up play-action. Garcia will continue to make some big plays with his feet as well as his arm, while Testaverde will counter with a big game of his own. Look for the Cowboys' running game to sputter at critical times, especially in short-yardage situations and in the red zone.