The first game week of the 2024 season is finally here, and I am a bit more excited than I thought I would be when this time rolled around.
The Dallas Cowboys head out to Cleveland to take on the Browns in America’s game of the week.
It will also feature the first game with Tom Brady on the call, I wonder how many times he will mention that his last game he ever played was against the Dallas Cowboys.
The Dallas Cowboys will open the 2024 season against the Cleveland Browns on September 8th, in a 3:25 ET kickoff on Fox, as Tom Brady will make his FOX broadcasting debut.
(AP Photo/Sam Hodde) pic.twitter.com/ztCOiDk8H8
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) May 13, 2024
GAME INFO:
Date: Sunday, September 8th | Time: 3:25 p.m. CT
Location: Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland, Ohio
TV: FOX | Stream: NFL+ & FuboTV
Radio: 105.3 The Fan (KRLD-FM), 107.5 La Grande in Spanish (KMVK-FM)
ODDS:
Moneyline (ML): Cowboys +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Browns -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Cowboys +2.5 (-110) | Browns -2.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 41.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Head-To-Head
The last time these two teams played was in 2020. The Browns won 49-38 in a high-scoring affair.
The Browns were underdogs in Jerry’s world, but that did not matter, the over was 56.5, and it cashed with ease.
The Cowboys have won 3 of the past 4 meetings since 2008, including the past 2 meetings in Cleveland.
In fact, the Cowboys have averaged 32.5 PPG in the past 2 trips to Cleveland, while allowing just 10.0 PPG. The Under is 3-1 in the past 4 meetings.
That sounds all fine and dandy on paper, but the Cowboys will have a tough test with that Browns defense. Myles Garrett and company are not going to make it easy on the younger Dallas offensive line.
CeeDee Lamb will probably only play about 85% of the snaps with him only having less than two weeks to really get into game shape, yet that should be enough.
I am worried about the running game, but I think this Cowboys defense under Mike Zimmer is going to be better than it was a year ago. It will have a chance to prove it early this season.
Betting insights for NFL Week 1 from our friends @BetMGM
Most bet games:
Ravens-Chiefs
Jets-49ers
Packers-EaglesMost bet teams:
Chiefs -3
Jets +4
Eagles -3Most bet Overs:
Ravens-Chiefs 46
Titans-Bears 45.5
Jaguars-Dolphins 49.5Most bet Unders:
Cowboys-Browns 42.5…— WagerWire (@WagerWire) September 3, 2024
Fun Betting Facts
For all you betting folks out there, take a look at these fun facts regarding the Cowboys vs Browns game this weekend.
I know I have a few friends in the Midwest that would love to bet against the Dallas Cowboys this weekend.
The Browns have lost 11 of their last 12 week 1 games against NFC opponents, while 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, while the Browns have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five home openers as favorites.
Cleveland also has lost the first half in six of their last seven Week 1 home games against NFC opponents.
Mike McCarthy said CeeDee Lamb will be on a “pitch count” in today’s practice but the wide receiver will be where he needs to be by the end of the week to be full go for Cleveland.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) September 2, 2024
Take The Cowboys ML
Do I think the Cowboys are going to win this game, I sure do. The engery around this team about how they are going to finish behind Washington in the NFC, blah just doesn’t make any sense to me.
I already know what the narrative will be if Dallas wins this game against the Browns, which let me remind you now nobody in the sports media world has picked them to do so.
It’ll be how Cleveland is overrated and Dallas is still nothing.
The Dallas Cowboys will need to win either this game to start the year, or week three against the Ravens for anyone to actually think they can do anything this season.
Winning in the regular season is great and all, but you will need to beat a team as good as the Browns or the Ravens when it matters the most in Janurary. If they prove they can do it early, something they don’t normally do, then why can’t they do it when it matters.
