The 6-1 Dallas Cowboys look to avoid a huge upset on the road in Cleveland this weekend versus the 0-8 Browns.
The Cowboys won an overtime thriller Sunday night over the Eagles, 29-23. The offense was again led by the two rookie newcomers. Dak Prescott overcame some early ineffectiveness to throw for 287 yards and two touchdowns, while Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 96 yards on 22 carries.
The Browns remained winless after blowing a 13 point halftime lead at home to the New York Jets.
This season had already been a rough one in Cleveland. The Browns have already used three starting quarterbacks in 2016 after injuries to Robert Griffin III, Josh McCown, and Cody Kessler.
McCown reassumed the job last Sunday against New York, five weeks after fracturing his collarbone against Baltimore in his only action of 2016.
Cleveland head coach Hue Jackson has taken notice of the new trigger man in Big D.
“(Prescott) is playing extremely well. He is a young ascending player, plays with a lot of poise,” Jackson said Wednesday. “He is playing with a tremendous supporting cast, one of the best receivers and tight ends in all of pro football. I think he is taking advantage of the opportunity.”
This Sunday’s game has the makings of a trap game for Dallas, as a showdown with the Steelers in Pittsburgh looms large in week 10. The Cowboys say they won’t take the Browns lightly, despite their record.
“We are going to pretend they are undefeated,” Dallas defensive lineman David Irving said. “We can’t let them come in there and sleep us, don’t let them get a big win.”
Sunday’s game will be a homecoming of sorts for Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott. Elliott starred at Ohio State, where he finished his collegiate career second in career rushing yards.
Prediction Time: Dallas stumbles out of the blocks early, but Elliott’s homecoming is a successful one. Elliott goes over 100 yards again and scores two touchdowns, reminding all the Buckeyes fans in attendance why he was a Heisman candidate a year ago. Dallas wins a tougher than expected game, 31-21.