What's your panic level after Week 1?
its week one, no panic?
Season over Pack it up
Cowboys Dominate on Both Sides of the Ball
The Browns suffered an old-fashioned ass-whooping at home yesterday, getting absolutely embarrassed by the Dallas Cowboys. Not only did the Cowboys show up on the field, but their fans took over the stadium as chants of "Here we go, Cowboys" echoed throughout. Fans in attendance said the Cowboys crowd was louder than anything the Browns fans could muster.
Dak Prescott signed a $240 million extension just hours before kickoff, and it seemed to be exactly what he needed. While his box score wasn’t stellar—19 completions on 32 attempts for 179 yards and a touchdown—Dak made some crucial throws. CeeDee Lamb hauled in five catches for 61 yards, and Ezekiel Elliott found the end zone, rushing 11 times for 40 yards. After the first quarter, Dallas was in full control and did what they wanted offensively.
Special Teams Shine on Both Sides
Special teams were a standout for both teams. KaVontae Turpin returned a punt 60 yards, and Brandon Aubrey was perfect, going 4-for-4 on field goals, including a 57-yarder. Dallas attempted a 66-yard field goal that would have been good, but a delay of game penalty nullified the try. Brandon Cooks added to the Cowboys' lead with the game’s first touchdown after blown coverage by M.J. Emerson and Juan Thornhill. Emerson later cited a miscommunication but vowed to fix the issue.
Injuries Strike Both Teams
The injury bug hit both teams, with notable injuries to Jake Ferguson and David Njoku. Njoku is expected to have a high ankle sprain, while Ferguson’s X-rays came back negative. He will undergo further tests with an MRI scheduled for today.
Micah Parsons Wreaks Havoc on Browns' Offensive Line
Micah Parsons made an early case for Defensive Player of the Year by absolutely destroying the Browns' offensive line. His impressive stat line included 4 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, 1 pass deflection, 5 QB hits, and countless pressures. The Browns had no answer for him, and Parsons was a nightmare throughout the game.
Browns Unravel in All Phases
Now, let’s talk about the Browns. Where do I even start? This was one of the worst performances since last season's Houston game, and I’d argue it was worse given the months of preparation.
Coaching: The Browns were shockingly unprepared. Starting the game with multiple false starts and unnecessary penalties reflected poorly on the team's mental readiness. Fans, players, and coaches had been confident coming into the season, but Dallas had other plans.
Offensive Line Struggles: The offensive line validated offseason concerns that they had a terrible camp. They couldn’t block to save their lives. Deshaun Watson, dealing with the recent loss of his father, suited up but couldn’t find any magic. He was hit repeatedly, held the ball too long, and struggled with accuracy downfield. Watson finished 24-of-45 for 169 yards with 1 TD and 2 INTs.
Running Game Disappears: The running game was nowhere to be found, with Jerome Ford leading the charge with 12 carries for 44 yards and a touchdown. Watson added 39 rushing yards on 5 attempts, but you can't expect the passing game to thrive when the defense knows you're one-dimensional.
Bright Spots: Corey Bojorquez and Jalen Darden
Corey Bojorquez was one of the few bright spots for the Browns. His booming punts flipped field position and gave the defense a chance to recover. His ability to change momentum through special teams is invaluable and will be a key asset this season.
Jalen Darden also shined as a returner. He may have just secured his role as the Browns’ primary return man, delivering 4 kick returns for 97 yards and 5 punt returns for 72 yards. His consistency and ability to find lanes brought a spark to the Browns' special teams, a much-needed highlight on a dismal day.
Offensive Struggles Continue
Jerry Jeudy found the end zone in his first game as a Cleveland Brown, but he only hauled in 3 of his 8 targets for 25 yards. Amari Cooper had one of his worst outings in recent memory, catching just 2 passes for 16 yards and dropping a critical deep ball in the second half that could have led to a Browns touchdown.
Defensive Standouts: Garrett and Ward
Despite the overwhelming loss, Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward were the standouts on defense. Garrett was dominant early, but the offense’s inability to stay on the field wore down the defense as the game went on.
A Wake-Up Call for the Browns
This loss should serve as a huge wake-up call for the Browns organization, from the players to the coaching staff. If they approach next week with the same lack of focus, it’s going to be a long season.
However, the Browns have responded well to adversity in the past, and I’m expecting a shift in energy as they head to Jacksonville to face the Jaguars. But it all starts with head coach Kevin Stefanski, who needs to rally his players and send a strong message.
It’s only Week 1, so there’s no need to hit the panic button yet—but I’ll ask: What’s your panic level after this loss?
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