Browns Preview 11.4.16: Dallas Cowboys @ Cleveland Browns

By Katelin Marshall, @KatelinKnowsCLE

The (6-1) Dallas Cowboys travel to Cleveland to take on the (0-8) Browns. Last week the Cowboys beat the Eagles 29-23 in overtime. The Browns lost 31-28 last week to the Jets. The Browns will have Corey Coleman back for this week. And Jamie Collins is expected to make his Browns debut.


Browns Offense vs Cowboys Defense

The Browns are expected to start Cody Kessler this week. Last week, the starter was a returning Josh McCown, who threw for 341 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. The Cowboys are ranked 18th in pass defense and the Browns should have some success. In week two with McCown, Corey Coleman caught five passes for 104 yards and two touchdowns. Last week, Pryor caught six passes for 101 yards. With a complete passing game along with guys like Barnidge, Johnson, and Hawkins the Browns will have to score a ton of points to keep it close.

With a struggling running game, the Browns might be forced to throw the ball a ton, The Browns are going to have run the ball some, but don't expect a lot of carries. Duke Johnson should get a ton of snaps because of his ability to catch the ball out of the back field, and hopefully keep the Dallas defense honest at times.

To win this game, whether its Cody Kessler or Josh McCown, will have to take care of the football. His four interceptions this year, is one of the main reasons the Browns lost his two starts. If McCown can just play smart and not force anything, he can keep them in this game.


Browns Defense vs Cowboys Offense

Defensively the Browns are going to struggle. They give up the second most yards on the ground per game and Ezekiel Elliott is the number one rusher in the league. All Dallas needs to do this week is hand the ball off to Elliott. It might be that easy for Dallas this week. As long as Elliott keeps hold of the ball, he should have a huge game on the ground...Jamie Collins should help a little, but he's only 1/11 guys on the field.

Dallas should have a good game in the passing game. The Browns struggle with covering the slot receiver and tight end, and Dak Prescott's main targets are Cole Beasley and Jason Witten. They have 67 catches between them and four touchdowns. Also running back Zeke Elliott is really good at catching the ball out of the backfield and is already one of the best pass protecting running backs in the league.

The Browns will need to force turnovers and can't give up dumb plays. If the Browns can force a couple of turnovers then maybe and stop the Dallas defense on third and long then maybe the Browns can pull off the win. It may seem like a trap game for Dallas but with rookies Dak Prescott and Elliott along with vets like Dez Bryant and Jason Witten that would seem unlikely.


Five Guys to Watch

Corey Coleman: First game back since week two, He had success with McCown at quarterback and with the threat of Pryor...it should open up an opportunity for him. Also this is a good time for him to knock the dust off and start the second half of the season refreshed.

Duke Johnson: Johnson should get most of the snaps this week. He is a threat in the passing game and will need some carries to open up the passing game. Also with McCown needing to play it safe, Johnson is the main target for check down passes.

Jamie Collins: Unsure how much he will play, but he's already the Browns best player on defense. Its that simple.

Christian Kirksey: Kirksey has grown into a really solid linebacker. He will need to have a big game in the run defense to help stop Zeke from running wild.

Ray Horton: The defensively play-calling will determine how this game goes. Will the Browns sell out on the run and force Prescott to beat them or be more balanced.


Injury Report
Weather:
Betting Line: Dallas -7


Predictions

Dallas 35 - Browns 17

Browns fall to 0-9 and are getting closer to their quest for imperfection. The Browns will have no answer for Dallas' running game this week. But if you have either Pryor or Coleman on your fantasy team it might be good to start them because they will get a lot of targets and should get you some points in garbage time. Let's just hope the Browns stay healthy this week since the Browns have a Thursday night game in Baltimore next week.