Dallas Cowboys vs Cleveland Browns Match Player Stats (Sep 8, 2024)

Dallas demolished Cleveland 33-17 on September 8, 2024, at Huntington Bank Field in a game that stopped being competitive around halftime. Dak Prescott went 19 of 32 for 179 yards and a touchdown without an interception. In his Cowboys debut, Eric Kendricks dominated with 9 tackles, 2 sacks, and a pick. Brandon Aubrey? Perfect from four attempts, including a 57 yarder. Turpin took a punt 60 yards to the house. Watson got destroyed: 6 sacks, 24 of 45 passing, 169 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs.

Cleveland played the entire game without both starting tackles, and their backup offensive line had no answers for Dallas’s pass rush.

Game Details: Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland, OH. Attendance: 67,431. Browns won the toss and deferred.

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The Quarterback Battle

Fresh off signing his massive four year, $240 million extension that pays him $60 million annually, Prescott did what elite quarterbacks do: protected the football, read pressure correctly, and made winning plays when they mattered. His 85.3 passer rating won’t blow anyone away, but zero turnovers against a defense featuring Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward is solid work.

The biggest throw of his afternoon came in the first quarter on third and five from the Cleveland 21. The Browns sent an all-out blitz, but Prescott had already diagnosed the coverage pre-snap. He knew Brandin Cooks would be isolated one-on-one against safety Juan Thornhill. The throw was perfect, Thornhill got caught flat-footed, and Cooks walked into the end zone for a 21 yard score.

Watson’s afternoon was the complete opposite. Playing behind backup tackles with Cleveland’s starting left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. and right tackle Jack Conklin both sidelined with injuries, Watson faced relentless pressure from the opening snap. According to PFF’s Week 1 breakdown, he dealt with pressure on 25 of his 51 dropbacks, a staggering 49% clip. When under duress, his completion percentage plummeted to 35%, and both of his interceptions came while facing heat.

His 8.8 yard average depth of target looks respectable until you realize he completed passes at just 2.8 yards downfield on average. That’s forced checkdown football. Watson also scrambled for 39 yards on designed runs and broken plays, spending more time evading defenders than standing in the pocket.

Team Statistics

Cleveland actually controlled possession and matched Dallas in first downs, but football isn’t played on a spreadsheet. The Browns converted just 2 of 15 third down attempts, a brutal 13.3% success rate that kept their offense off the field. Two turnovers sealed their fate.

The official Cowboys game recap noted that Dallas outgained Cleveland 216 to 54 in the first half alone, a suffocating display of defensive dominance that set the tone.

Pass Rush Carnage

Six sacks. Seventeen quarterback hits. Constant harassment from the opening snap.

Mike Zimmer’s defense in his debut as Cowboys coordinator attacked Cleveland’s makeshift offensive line like predators smelling blood. Micah Parsons alone generated 11 quarterback pressures according to PFF’s tracking data, tying for the most in the entire NFL during Week 1.

Dallas Defense

In his Cowboys debut reunited with Zimmer, Kendricks recorded his first multi-sack game since the 2016 season when both were with Minnesota. He also snagged the critical interception right before halftime that led to a field goal and a 20-3 Dallas advantage. The veteran linebacker looked completely comfortable in Zimmer’s scheme, playing fast and physical all afternoon.

Lawrence dominated his matchups with a combination of power bull rushes and swim moves. At 32 years old, he recorded 7 total pressures (sacks, hits, and hurries combined), proving he’s still an elite edge defender. His presence on one side forced Cleveland to keep extra protection his way, which freed up Parsons to terrorize from multiple positions.

Cleveland Defense

Garrett forced a fumble on Prescott in the second quarter and recorded a sack, but one superstar can’t overcome an offense that manages just one first down in an entire half. The Browns defense actually held up reasonably well considering they were constantly on the field after offensive three and outs.

Rushing Numbers

Dallas

Elliott’s return to Dallas produced his signature physical running style. His 3 yard touchdown plunge in the second quarter came on a drive where he touched the ball four times in six plays, grinding down Cleveland’s defense and giving Dallas a 14-3 lead.

The Cowboys also attacked the perimeter with jet sweeps to Lamb, who gained 25 yards on just 3 carries. Those edge touches kept Cleveland’s defense from loading the box.

Cleveland

Ford handled the workload competently, including a late 2 yard touchdown with 29 seconds remaining. Watson’s 39 rushing yards came primarily from designed runs and scrambles when the pocket broke down.

Cleveland actually averaged 4.9 yards per carry compared to Dallas’s 4.1, but they only ran 19 times because they couldn’t sustain drives. When you convert 2 of 15 third downs, you’re punting too often to establish any ground game.

Receiving Stats

Dallas

After holding out all training camp and missing every preseason snap, Lamb showed zero rust. His 34 yard catch down the right sideline in the first quarter set up the opening touchdown. Running a go route against man coverage, he tracked the ball perfectly over his shoulder while maintaining stride, hauling it in at the Cleveland 26. Three plays later, Dallas was in the end zone.

Cleveland

Cooper’s stat line was dismal: 9 targets, 2 receptions, 16 yards. The Browns couldn’t get him involved because Watson rarely had time to let routes develop downfield. Jeudy’s 6 yard touchdown in the third quarter provided Cleveland’s lone offensive highlight, cutting the deficit to 27-10 on a quick slant where he dove across the goal line.

Special Teams Dominance

Brandon Aubrey delivered a perfect performance from distances most kickers wouldn’t attempt.

Aubrey’s four makes came from 57, 50, 46, and 40 yards. The 57 yarder right before halftime extended Dallas’s lead to 17-3 and sucked every ounce of energy from the Cleveland crowd. He also attempted a 66 yarder at the end of the first half that would’ve tied the NFL record, but a delay of game penalty wiped it away. The kick sailed through from 66, which is almost impossible to comprehend.

His range transforms field position. Dallas can score from 55 yards and in, turning drives that stall at midfield into points instead of punts. That’s a weapon most teams simply don’t have, and it gives the Cowboys a massive strategic edge in close games.

Return Game

Punt Returns:

Kickoff Returns:

Turpin’s 60 yard punt return touchdown was Dallas’s first since 2017, ending a seven year drought. The return came on the opening possession of the third quarter with the Cowboys already ahead 20-3. He caught the punt at his own 40, identified a seam up the middle, cut sharply to the right sideline, got blocks from teammates, and cruised untouched into the end zone. That score pushed the lead to 27-3 and functionally ended the game.

How The Game Unfolded

First Half Suffocation

Cleveland won the toss, deferred, and watched Dallas go three and out on the opening possession. After a 28 yard Darden punt return gave them excellent field position at the Dallas 46, the Browns could only manage a 51 yard Hopkins field goal. 3-0 Cleveland.

Prescott needed just six plays to answer. The 34 yard connection to Lamb moved Dallas into the red zone. Three plays later, facing third and five, Prescott beat Cleveland’s all-out blitz by hitting Cooks for the touchdown. Dallas led 7-3 after one quarter with both teams feeling each other out.

The second quarter belonged entirely to the Cowboys. An 11 play, 78 yard drive consumed nearly six minutes. Elliott carried four times for 24 yards on the possession, capping it with his 3 yard touchdown plunge to make it 14-3.

Aubrey’s 57 yard bomb pushed it to 17-3. Then came the sequence that broke Cleveland’s spirit.

With under two minutes left in the half, Watson dropped back on second and 14 from the Cleveland 26. He tried a quick pass, but Parsons got his hand on it at the line of scrimmage. The ball floated in the air just long enough for Kendricks to secure the interception at the Cleveland 31. Three plays later, Aubrey kicked a 40 yarder. 20-3 at halftime.

Dallas had outgained Cleveland 216 yards to 54. The Browns had managed a single first down in thirty minutes of football.

Third Quarter Dagger

Turpin’s 60 yard punt return touchdown on the opening possession made it 27-3. The home crowd went silent.

Cleveland showed signs of life on their next drive, marching 75 yards in 12 plays. Watson completed 6 of 10 passes for 71 yards, hitting Jeudy for the 6 yard touchdown to cut it to 27-10.

The Browns forced a three and out and got the ball back at their own 45 with momentum. On fourth and six from the Cleveland 49, head coach Kevin Stefanski made a calculated gamble and went for it. Overshown shot through the line and sacked Watson for a loss. Dallas took over and kicked another Aubrey field goal. 30-10.

Fourth Quarter Formalities

Cleveland tried another fourth down early in the period and failed again. Aubrey’s fourth field goal made it 33-10.

Diggs intercepted Watson late in the quarter, his first pick since tearing his ACL in 2023. The pass intended for Moore got tipped, and Diggs grabbed it at the Dallas 22.

Ford’s 2 yard touchdown run with 29 seconds left made the final 33-17, but that score was meaningless. The game had been decided hours earlier.

Critical Matchup: Pass Rush vs Makeshift Line

Cleveland’s backup tackles never had a chance against Dallas’s pass rush. With both Wills and Conklin sidelined, backup Dawand Jones started at right tackle and struggled from the opening snap.

Zimmer’s game plan was straightforward: attack the tackles with speed and power, force Watson into quick decisions, and eliminate big plays downfield. The execution was flawless.

Lawrence repeatedly beat his man with bull rushes and swim moves. On one second quarter play, he used a speed-to-power move that sent Jones stumbling backward into Watson, resulting in a 7 yard sack. Parsons created chaos by lining up at different positions, sometimes at nose tackle before shifting to the edge at the snap. On one play, he aligned over center, then shifted to the right edge just before the ball was snapped. Jones false started trying to adjust, costing Cleveland five yards.

When pressured, Watson completed just 35% of his passes and threw both interceptions. When kept clean, he was actually effective at 68% completion. The problem was he was almost never clean.

Third Down Futility

Cleveland’s 2 for 15 performance on third down (13.3%) was the game’s most damning statistic. You cannot win NFL games at that conversion rate.

Five failures came on third and long (8+ yards), situations created by Dallas’s defensive line consistently blowing up plays before they developed. The other ten failures came on manageable third downs where Watson simply couldn’t find open receivers before pressure arrived.

Dallas converted 4 of 14 attempts (28.6%), which isn’t impressive either. But when your defense and special teams combine for 18 points, offensive efficiency becomes less critical.

Secondary Battles

Playing his first game since tearing his ACL early in the 2023 season, Diggs shadowed various Cleveland receivers and showed his instincts remain elite. His fourth quarter interception was his first since the injury. He also broke up two passes in tight coverage and wasn’t targeted often because Watson recognized the risk.

Cleveland cornerback Denzel Ward actually played well, breaking up three passes and nearly intercepting Prescott in the first quarter. On the Cowboys’ third possession, Lamb ran a deep post and Ward jumped the route perfectly, but the ball sailed inches over his outstretched fingers. If he catches that, Cleveland has possession deep in Dallas territory with a chance to build an early lead.

Advanced Statistics Breakdown

According to Pro Football Reference, the Expected Points Added (EPA) breakdown was lopsided:

In plain terms, Dallas’s offense was slightly below average in EPA, but their defense was dominant and special teams excellent. Cleveland’s offense was historically awful, posting negative EPA on nearly every drive.

The Cowboys defense created so many negative plays through sacks, tackles for loss, and interceptions that they added almost 20 expected points through defensive performance alone. These numbers validate what the eye test showed: Dallas won decisively in every phase except offensive production, which they didn’t need.

Pressure Impact:

When Watson faced pressure (25 of 51 dropbacks):

• 35% completion rate
• 2.1 yards per attempt
• 2 interceptions
• 6 sacks

When Prescott faced pressure (12 of 35 dropbacks):

• 58% completion rate
• 4.8 yards per attempt
• 0 interceptions
• 3 sacks

The difference in how each quarterback handled pressure defined everything.

What It Means

If Dallas’s defense maintains anything close to this level, they’re winning the NFC East. Zimmer’s scheme confused Cleveland for sixty minutes. The combination of Parsons, Lawrence, and Kendricks gives them three pass rushers who can beat one-on-one blocks consistently.

Aubrey’s range provides an enormous strategic advantage. Scoring from 55 yards out essentially means automatic points from midfield.

For Cleveland, the offensive line situation is dire. The Browns’ official postgame notes mentioned the inability to protect Watson or sustain drives. Until Wills and Conklin return healthy, this offense has limited upside against competent pass rushes. Cleveland’s season hangs entirely on getting both tackles back on the field, and the sooner the better.

The defense played well enough to keep Cleveland in most games if they get offensive support. They held Dallas to 265 yards and created some pressure on Prescott. But asking any defense to overcome 54 first half yards from the offense is unreasonable.

Series Notes

This was the 30th regular season meeting. Cleveland still leads the all-time series 16-15 despite this Dallas victory, but the Cowboys have won 3 of the last 4 meetings.

The previous matchup in 2020 was a wild shootout ending 49-38 with both teams combining for nearly 900 yards. This game was the polar opposite.

Dallas’s defensive line continued to dominate opponents after this performance. In their September 2025 victory over the Giants, the Cowboys won 40-37 in overtime on a walk-off field goal while pressuring the quarterback consistently. When Dallas can generate pressure with four rushers, their defense becomes elite because they can drop seven into coverage and eliminate everything downfield.

Final Analysis

Dallas controlled all three phases. Their defense harassed Watson into oblivion. Aubrey went 4 for 4 on field goals. Turpin returned a punt 60 yards for a touchdown. Prescott protected the football and made key throws when needed.

The final score was 33-17, but Cleveland scored 7 points with 29 seconds left in a meaningless possession. The real margin was 33-10, and even that doesn’t capture Dallas’s dominance.

Prescott: 19 of 32, 179 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions. Kendricks: 9 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 interception. Aubrey: 4 for 4 on kicks. Turpin: 60 yard punt return touchdown. That’s how you start a season on the road.