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Cowboys at Browns: Preview, Predictions, and More

By Stephen Forsha

Oct 30, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) celebrates a first down against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) celebrates a first down against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dallas Cowboys vs. Cleveland Browns

NFL Week 9 is a tale of two teams going completely directions during the 2016 season. After each team had very bad seasons in 2015, the Cleveland Browns have continued that trend to a tune of a current record of going winless at 0-8. The Dallas Cowboys have improved greatly from a season ago, using their solid quarterback play from rookie Dak Prescott to have earn a 6-1 record and a lead atop the NFC.

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The Browns have been close at times this season, but just haven’t been able to finish a game. The Cowboys, on the other hand, have won games a variety of ways, both gaining big starts or winning in clutch moments in overtime like they did last week.

Being the favorites to win this game, the Cowboys can’t overlook the Browns. But a lot would have to go wrong for the Cowboys to see their six-game winning streak come to an end in Cleveland.

Cowboys Keys to Victory

1. Stop the pass rush: Dallas will have to be careful of the linebackers of the Browns, and keep the edge pressure off Prescott when Cleveland blitzes.

2. Keep on running: Running the football with Ezekiel Elliott has worked for most of the season. Since Week 3, he’s not been held to under 95 yards in any game. Elliott enters the game with 799 yards rushing on 159 carries, an average of five yards per carry with five touchdowns to his credit, as well.

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3. Don’t overlook Cleveland: It’s human nature for the Cowboys to have a bit of a letdown after their tough overtime win over the Eagles last Sunday night. The Cowboys can ill afford to take the Browns lightly, even if they are on the opposite side of the NFL standings this season. It’s doubtful it happens, but this NFL season has had its strange moments.

Browns Keys to Victory

1. Finish the game: Cleveland has allowed teams to make comebacks on them in the second half on more than one occasion this season. For the Browns to have a chance this week, they must play better in the second half.

2. Pressure Prescott: The Eagles forced the rookie quarterback to play his worst game of his short NFL career in Week 8. This week, the Browns need to mimic that game plan to a certain degree and life tough for him on Sunday. One player to watch is outside linebacker Emmanuel Ogbah, who has three sacks in 2016.

3. Keep the Cowboys defense on the field: The Cowboys are having some injury issues with some their defensive backs after last week. One way to stop the Dallas offense from scoring points is to keep their defense on the field. The Browns need to have slow and steady drives.

Odds

Point Spread: Dallas -7
Moneyline: Dallas -300, Cleveland +250
Over/Under: 48.5

Prediction

This shouldn’t be the toughest game on the schedule for the Cowboys this season. Dallaswill treat this matchup like they have previous matchups this season against teams they out-match—they will have the fast start. There should be no issues here for the Cowboys if they just use their rushing game to their advantage. If that happens, they win, hands down.

Pick: Dallas Cowboys: 41, Cleveland Browns: 10

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