One of the more intriguing matchups in Week 1 for the NFL is this matchup between two playoff teams from 2023. Both the Cowboys and Browns found themselves favorites to win their Wild-Card playoff matchups last year, but they both lost in somewhat embarrassing fashion.
Now, they are matched up against each other to start the 2024 season. This game is set to kickoff at 4:25 p.m. ET at Huntington Bank Field, with FOX on the broadcast.
Cowboys vs. Browns Betting Odds
Below are the odds for Sunday’s game in the three main markets: spread, moneyline and total.
| FanDuel | DraftKings | Caesars | |
| DAL spread | +2.5 (-110) | +2.5 (-110) | +2.5 (-115) |
| CLE spread | -2.5 (-110) | -2.5 (-110) | -2.5 (-105) |
| DAL ML | +120 | +110 | +115 |
| CLE ML | -142 | -130 | -135 |
| Total | 40.5 (o-118;u-104) | 40.5 (o-112;u-108) | 41 (o-110;u-110) |
It is always interesting looking at the odds across all sportsbooks, as both FanDuel and DraftKings have the same odds on the spread, but much different odds on the moneyline.
So, for those of you looking to back the Cowboys to win straight up, FanDuel would be your place, while Browns backers will want to place their ML bets on DraftKings.
As for our thoughts on the game, let’s dive right into it.
$250 BONUS BETS
DRAFTKINGS SPORTSBOOK
$1,000 FIRST BET RESET (MUST USE CODE NEWSWEEK)
ESPN BET
UP TO $1,000 BONUS BETS
FANATICS SPORTSBOOK
$1,500 FIRST-BET OFFER
BETMGM
$200 BONUS OR $1,000 FIRST-BET SAFETY NET
BET365
$1,000 FIRST BET
CAESARS SPORTSBOOK
$200 BONUS BETS
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK
Cowboys vs. Browns Betting Preview
The interesting part of this game is that, despite these teams making the playoffs last year, there is a bit of change and unknown on both sides.
The Cowboys have had a top-five defense according to DVOA for the past three seasons, but they enter 2024 with a new defensive coordinator. Dan Quinn left Dallas to take over as head coach of the Commanders, while Dallas replaced him with a similar old, veteran/curmudgeonly coach in Mike Zimmer.
Zimmer has been out of football for the past two years, but he was the head coach of the Vikings for years, and to his credit, he has always had a top defense.
The Browns, meanwhile, went through QB after QB last year once Deshaun Watson went down for good with a shoulder injury, but found magic in Joe Flacco. Flacco signed with the Browns late in the year, and he led a 4-0 December for Cleveland.
Flacco is gone, and the Browns are going back to Watson as their starting QB, but the reality is Watson has been a below-average-to-horrible QB since being traded over to the Browns ahead of the 2022 season.
He has a 58.7 passing grade over the past two seasons with the Browns, which ranks 53rd among all qualified passers. Heading into 2024, PFF has him as the 23rd-ranked QB heading into the season. It is tough to see a scenario where Watson is able to put up a bunch of points against this Cowboys defense, even with a new DC.
On the other side of the ball, the Browns defense figures to be excellent once again in 2024. Cleveland ended last year with the second-best defense in the NFL, according to DVOA, and it returns 2023 DPoY Miles Garrett and DC Jim Schwartz, so this should continue to be a top unit in 2024.
On offense, the Cowboys dealt with offseason drama surrounding superstar WR CeeDee Lamb and his contract, but they recently were able to come to a contract agreement, squashing that issue.
The Cowboys offense was a little bit of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde last year, as they had 10 separate games in which they scored 30-plus points, including five games with 40-plus points, but against good defenses, they struggled.
The worst regular-season performance of the year was a 42-10 trouncing against the 49ers, and they also had a 10-point performance against the Bills in which they only gained 195 total yards.
Cowboys vs. Browns Prediction
This is a matchup where we are expecting both defenses to show out. Even with the unknown of the Cowboys defense under a new DC, there is enough history of success from Zimmer-led defenses that the ‘Boys should once again have a top defensive unit.
In terms of a winner, the guess would be the Cowboys in a minor upset, as it is hard to put faith in Watson to get much done on offense.
Despite the Cowboys’ struggles against top defenses in 2023, Prescott garners more trust in this matchup than Watson.
Cowboys vs. Browns Best Bets
- Cowboys ML (+120) DraftKings
- Game Total Under 41 (-110) Caesars
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