Heavy Sports The Browns take on the Raiders in Week 4.
Welcome to the Browns hub, where you’ll find everything from game recaps to the latest highlights and news.
Browns and Raiders Face Off in Critical Week 4 Showdown
Date/Time: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EDT
Broadcast: CBS
Odds: Browns favored by 2 (per FanDuel Sportsbook)
All-Time Series: Raiders lead 15-10
Last Meeting: Raiders won 16-14 on December 20, 2021
Browns Struggling With Consistency
The Browns entered the season with high expectations but have struggled to find consistency on both sides of the ball. Deshaun Watson has yet to deliver the elite performances the team hoped for, and injuries to key members on the offensive line and defense have further complicated their start.
The Browns’ only win came in Week 2 against Jacksonville, but they’ve struggled with penalties, dropped passes, and protection issues, leading to Watson being sacked a league-high 16 times.
Raiders Are Shorthanded Against Browns
The Raiders have also faced early struggles, particularly in their run game, which has been historically poor, with just 55 rushing yards or fewer in each of their first three games.
Quarterback Gardner Minshew has been solid but hasn’t elevated the team beyond one notable comeback win against Baltimore. The team considered a change this week but chose the veteran over Aidan O’Connell.
Las Vegas is dealing with key injuries to Maxx Crosby and Davante Adams, who will both miss Sunday’s game.
Injury Report
Browns
OT Jack Conklin – Out
TE David Njoku – Out
RB Pierre Strong – Out
OT Jedrick Wills – Out
LB Jordan Hicks – Questionable
Raiders
WR Davante Adams – Out
DE Maxx Crosby – Out
LB Divine Deablo – Out
TE Mike Mayer – Out
CB Decamerion Richardson – Out
RB Ameer Abdullah – Questionable
LB Kana’i Mauga – Questionable
OT Thayer Munford Jr. – Doubtful
Week 3
Browns Lose Pro Bowl Guard Wyatt Teller to Knee Injury
The Browns lost Pro Bowl guard Wyatt Teller to a knee injury in the third quarter against the Giants. It wasn’t clear where the injury happened but he made his way to the medical tent and later to the locker room.
Fox sideline reporter Megan Olivi confirmed Teller’s knee injury and said the team initially had a cart out for him but he chose to walk back to the locker room.
The Browns are in a tough spot, already dealing with a battered offensive line. Shortly after Teller’s injury, backup James Hudson III also went down, followed by Jedrick Wills in his first start of the season. Wills immediately clutched his surgically repaired knee, adding to the team’s growing concerns.
Cleveland is also missing starting right tackle Jack Conklin, who has yet to play this season due to injury.
Giants Dominate First Half After Early Mistakes
The Week 3 matchup couldn’t have started better for the Browns. Tony Brown II forced a fumble on the opening kickoff and Deshaun Watson found Amari Cooper for a 24-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage.
Not much else went right for Cleveland in the first half. Giants quarterback Daniel Jones was nearly perfect, completing 17 of 19 passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns over the first 30 minutes of play. He was helped by Giants rookie Malik Nabers, who snagged six catches for 66 yards, including a highlight reel grab over Martin Emerson Jr. and two touchdowns.
Malik Nabers said yes, yes swiping.
📺: #NYGvsCLE on FOX
📱: t.co/waVpO8ZBqG
It went from bad to worse with less than a minute left. Watson got nailed by Giants pass rusher Brian Burns, who forced a fumble.
“Deshaun Watson is holding the ball too long. Plain and simple,” Fox announcer Jonathan Vilma said. “Step up in the pocket if you’re going to hold it that long.”
Watson took the hit from Burns on his surgically repaired right shoulder. He was trying to shake it out on the sideline after the hit.
The Giants recovered and were set up deep in Browns territory, flipping the turnover into a touchdown and a 21-7 lead going into the break.
The Browns had almost as many penalty yards (38) as total yards (42). That’s especially rough, considering 24 of those yards came on the opening play of the game.
Browns OT Jedrick Wills to Debut Against Giants
Heavy SportsOT Jedrick Wills will return for the Browns against the Giants.
The Browns offensive line will be getting some help against the Giants. Former first-round pick Jedrick Wills will make his season debut against New York on Sunday, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
“Browns starting LT Jedrick Willis, who is recovering from a knee injury that ended his 2023 and is listed a questionable, is expected to make his season debut,” Rapoport wrote on X early Sunday morning. “A big lift for the Cleveland offense.”
#Browns starting LT Jedrick Willis, who is recovering from a knee injury that ended his 2023 and is listed a questionable, is expected to make his season debut, sources say. A big lift for the Cleveland offense.
Wills has started 53 regular season games for the Browns since being selected with the No. 10 overall pick in 2020. In his absence, James Hudson III has been starting in his place.
The bad news for the Browns is that they’ll have to wait at least another week until they’re at full strength on the line. Veteran tackle Jack Conklin has been ruled out for the Week 3 clash.
The Browns have given up eight sacks this season.
Heavy Sports
Browns vs. Giants Pregame Primer
Game info
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Huntington Bank Field
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
TV: FOX
Injury Report
Browns Injury Report
OT Jack Conklin – Knee – Out
TE David Njoku – Ankle – Out
RB Pierre Strong – Hamstring – Out
OT Jedrick Wills – Knee – Questionable
Giants Injury Report
CB Nick McCloud – Knee – Out
LB Darius Muasau – Knee – Questionable
LB/DE Brian Burns – Hamstring – Questionable
Best Bets, Predictions, and Player Props to Watch
Spread: Browns -6.5
Over/under: 38.5 points
Money line: Browns -285, Giants +230
The Browns head into Week 3 after a mixed start to the season. They fell short in Week 1 as the favorites, losing 33-17 to the Cowboys, but bounced back in Week 2 as slight road underdogs, securing a solid win against the Jaguars.
Now, they face a Giants team that has struggled on both sides of the ball, giving up 368.5 yards per game and ranking near the bottom in points per game (12.0). This matchup could be the spark Cleveland needs to get their offense rolling. Expect the Browns to take advantage of the Giants’ weaknesses and come away with a comfortable win.
Prediction: Browns 27, Giants 10
PROPS TO WATCH
• Amari Cooper over 47.5 yards receiving
This is risky after Cooper’s slow start to the season. But both Deshaun Watson and Cooper have talked about wanting to get back on track. Cooper has just 5 catches for 27 yards this season but has been targeted a team-high 17 times.
Cooper is a Pro Bowl-level threat and should be able to feast against the Giants with plenty of attention from his QB.
• Jerome Ford over 2.5 receptions
Jerome Ford’s start to the season has been inconsistent, and the Browns are still figuring out the balance in their backfield. After getting 18 touches in Week 1, Ford saw just 8 in Week 2, as D’Onta Foreman doubled him up on carries during the win against the Jaguars.
With the Browns shorthanded at running back—having signed Gary Brightwell with Pierre Strong out and Nick Chubb still sidelined—Ford should play a key role. Even if Foreman leads the ground game, Ford is the go-to option as a pass-catcher. Expect Deshaun Watson to look his way more often this week, making Ford a strong candidate to surpass 2.5 receptions.
Electric Call of Browns’ Safety Against Jaguars
Andrew Siciliano and Nathan Zegura were electric in the booth as Browns defensive end Alex Wright came through with a game-changing safety in the fourth quarter against the Jaguars.
Coach Stefanski Sounds Off in Locker Room After Win
one heck of a team win 😤
It wasn’t perfect but Kevin Stefanski was pumped after picking up a “team win” in Jacksonville on Sunday. He recognized all three phases of the game during his locker room speech.
FINAL: Browns 18, Jaguars 13
A SWARMING SAFETY FOR ALEX WRIGHT 🙏
#CLEvsJAX on CBS & NFL+
The Jaguars kept their momentum rolling to start the fourth quarter but the Browns successfully forced a fourth down with 7:34 left inside their 10-yard line. Jacksonville initially looked like they would go for it but opted for a 25-yard field goal. It cut the lead to three points.
The Browns had a 3rd-and-long on the ensuing drive and Jerry Jeudy came up big with a 10-yard snag to extend the possession. Jeudy made another highlight reel 30-yard catch deep in Jaguars territory.
JERRYYYYYY
#CLEvsJAX on CBS & NFL+
Watson made a dazzling escape on the next play to connect with Jeudy again and backup QB Jameis Winston picked up a crucial fourth down, allowing the Browns to milk the clock even more.
The drive hit a speedbump when D’Onta Foreman was called for a rare offensive facemask, backing the Browns up 15 yards. Two holding calls pushed the Browns back another 20 yards, putting Cleveland out of field goal range. On 3rd-and-36 the Browns ran a draw and chose to punt. Luckily, punter Corey Bojorquez nailed a kick that set up the Jags inside their 2-yard line.
Corey Bojorquez lowkey just won us that football game
Defensive end Alex Wright blew up Jacksonville’s next play, sacking Trevor Lawrence for a safety.
There’s a fine line between gutsy and reckless, and Watson and the Browns crossed it in those final moments against the Jaguars. Cleveland chose to pass with just over 1:30 left in the game and Jacksonville out of timeouts. But instead of taking a sack, Watson attempted to throw the ball away, stopping the clock and giving the Jaguars extra time to mount a potential game-winning drive.
The Browns survived with Lawrence’s Hail Mary coming up short.
Stat Leaders
• QB Deshaun Watson: 22/34, 186 yards, 1 rushing TD
• RB Jerome Ford: 7 carries, 64 yards
• WR Jerry Jeudy: 5 catches, 73 yards
• K Dustin Hopkins: 3/3 FG, long of 53
• DE Myles Garrett: 3 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL
Quarter 3: Browns 16, Jaguars 10
The Browns offense started to sputter in the second half and Jacksonville took advantage. Cleveland had three drives, extending their lead with a 44-yard field goal from Dustin Hopkins.
However, the Jacksonville offense that was stagnant for most of the afternoon found life when Lawrence connected with rookie Brian Thomas Jr. on a 66-yard bomb against Greg Newsome. Travis Etienne Jr. punched in the score, making it 16-10.
.@Trevorlawrencee with a beautiful long ball to @BrianThomas_11!
#CLEvsJAX on CBS
The Browns did make some plays, including Myles Garrett getting his second sack of the season.
https://x.com/Browns/status/1835395296014057545
Quarter 2: Browns 13, Jaguars 3
The Browns tacked on a field goal early in the second quarter but could have had more if not for an Amari Cooper drop. Dustin Hopkins made a 53-yard field goal look easy.
Cleveland nearly got a huge play on the kickoff, with Winston Reid forcing a fumble and the Browns recovering. However, the Browns were called for a penalty and were forced to re-kick.
The Jaguars got deep into Browns territory on the ensuing drive but the defense stood strong inside the 10, forcing a field goal.
The Browns went for a fourth down on their side of the field late in the second half but executed a sweep around the edge to Jerome Ford, picking up 36 yards.
ROMEEEEEE!
@JeromeFord down the sidelines for 36yds!
Hopkins tacked on a 38-yard to give the Browns a 10-point edge before half. The Browns didn’t punt in the first half. Watson hit the break 11-of-15 for 108 yards with a rushing score.
Quarter 1: Browns 7, Jaguars 0
The Browns’ defense looked sharp to open the game, outside of Myles Garrett jumping offsides. The return was a little shaky, with Proche — who replaced Jaelon Darden on the 53-man roster — initially bobbling the ball before being tackled.
Watson looked sharp on the first drive, throwing with power and decisiveness. He rolled out to the right on a 2nd-and-20, connecting with Jerry Jeudy on a long-gainer to pick up the first down.
Iso ball up the middle for the TOUCHDOWN!!
#CLEvsJAX on CBS & NFL+
Watson was 7-of-8 on the first drive for 83 yards and finished it off with a touchdown run up the middle. He was hit with some heavy boos from the Jacksonville crowd. The drive took more than 9 minutes off the clock.
Browns Catch Break Against Jaguars
Heavy SportsThe Browns will not have to worry about Jaguars tight end Evan Engram, who suffered a hamstring injury in pregame warmups.
The Cleveland Browns will not have to worry Jaguars tight end Evan Engram on Sunday.
The two-time Pro Bowler injured his hamstring in pregame warmups and will not play in the Week 2 matchup. Engram had a massive game against the Browns last season, catching 11 passes for 95 and a pair of touchdowns. Cleveland still won the game, 31-27.
TE Evan Engram sustained a hamstring injury in pregame warmups and has been ruled out for today’s game.
The injury evens the playing field a little. The Browns are also playing without their Pro Bowl tight David Njoku, who injured his ankle in Week 1. Njoku led the Browns with four catches for 44 yards in their opener.
The Browns did get some bad injury news prior to kickoff, with veteran offensive tackle Jack Conklin being ruled out. James Hudson III will start at left tackle, with Dawand Jones on the right side.
Browns vs. Jaguars: Prediction and Best Bets
Heavy on BrownsThe Browns are a 3-point underdog against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Moneyline: Cleveland (+140), Jacksonville (-166)
Spread: Jaguars -3
Total: 41.5
BROWNS VS. JAGUARS PREDICTION
It’s only Week 2, but this game already feels like a must-win for AFC playoff contenders looking to avoid an 0-2 start. The Browns’ poor road performance last season makes them tough to back, despite their talent.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars showed more promise in their opener, even in a loss to the Dolphins. Jacksonville led 17-7 at halftime before being shut out in the second half.
Until Deshaun Watson finds some consistency, trusting the Browns — especially on the road — remains a risky bet. The Browns will keep it close but Trevor Lawrence and Co. will pull out the win.
Our AI prediction model gives the Browns a 39% chance of winning on Sunday.
• Final Score: Jaguars 24, Browns 20
• Pick: Jaguars to cover -3 and the total to go OVER
BEST PLAYER PROPS
Jerome Ford OVER 3.5 receptions (-103 via Fanduel)
The number seems a bit low for Ford, especially considering he played 75% of the offensive snaps last week against the Cowboys. Deshaun Watson targeted Ford seven times in that game, with the Browns running back leading the team in receptions, hauling in six catches. As Watson looks to find his rhythm against the Jaguars, Ford could again be a reliable option for easy completions, particularly early on in the game.
AI Jerome Ford Projection: 3.1 receptions, 24.3 receiving yards
Heavy Sports
Amari Cooper to score a touchdown (+200 via Fanduel)
Amari Cooper had a quiet start to the season, hauling in just two catches for 16 yards, as the Browns’ passing game couldn’t find its rhythm. The silver lining? Watson still looked his way with a team-high nine targets. Cooper has a strong track record of bouncing back after down games, and with Watson eager to get his top weapon firing again, this week sets up perfectly for a Cooper touchdown. Cooper over 4.5 catches is also worth a look.
AI Amari Cooper Projection: 3.7 receptions, 71.5 receiving yards,
Browns vs. Jaguars: Game Day Essentials
Heavy on BrownsCleveland Browns star Myles Garrett is ready to tackle the Jaguars.
All-time series record
Jaguars lead 12-7.
Last meeting
Browns beat Jaguars 31-27 on Dec. 10, 2023, in Jacksonville.
throwing it back to last December before the rematch tomorrow
Last week
Browns lost 33-17 to Dallas
Jaguars lost 20-17 at Miami.
Injury report (as of September 13)
Who’s Out: T Jedrick Wills, TE David Njoku
Questionable: T Jack Conklin
Players on IR: The Browns placed four players on IR this week. That included starting safety Juan Thornhill, linebackers Tony Fields II and Mohamoud Diabate, and defensive tackle Maurice Hurst
Roster moves
The Browns signed WR James Proche II and LB Winston Reid to the active roster from the practice squad on Saturday. The team has also elevated T Germain Ifedi and TE Blake Whiteheart to the active roster from the practice squad.
The club has also waived wide receiver Jaelon Darden, who was the team’s primary return man against the Cowboys in Week 1.
Browns Bites: Game Day Reading
Heavy on BrownsThe Cleveland Browns have been urged to create a Deshaun Watson exit plan.
Browns Urged to Create Deshaun Watson ‘Exit Strategy’ After Latest News
Deshaun Watson is expected to suit up for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, but the decision is stirring controversy as he faces a new sexual assault allegation.
➡️ READ MORE
Browns DE Myles Garrett Sends Warning to Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett is hungry for a turnaround performance after a rough Week 1 and he’ll be honed in Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
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Browns WR Amari Cooper Gets Honest on Deshaun Watson
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper responded to the latest drama surrounding his quarterback, Deshaun Watson.
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Ex-Browns Running Back Rips Into Deshaun Watson Amid New Controversy
Former Cleveland Browns running back Jordan Wilkins publicly called out Deshaun Watson’s leadership abilities, adding fuel to the ongoing conversation surrounding the quarterback.
➡️ READ MORE
NFL Reviewing Latest Watson Lawsuit Under the Personal Conduct Policy
Getty Images
The NFL is currently reviewing new allegations against Deshaun Watson under its Personal Conduct Policy.
“We are reviewing the complaint and will look into the matter under the Personal Conduct Policy,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said. “Not looking at Commissioner’s Exempt list as there’s been no formal charges and the league’s review has just begun.”
Watson was hit with a new lawsuit on Monday, alleging that the Browns quarterback sexually assaulted a woman during a date. The lawsuit adds to a long list of legal troubles for Watson, who faced more than 20 sexual assault lawsuits in 2021. He was previously suspended for 11 games and fined $5 million by the NFL for violating its personal conduct policy following the earlier allegations. Watson has repeatedly denied all accusations of misconduct.
The Commissioner’s Exempt List puts a player on paid leave while the league reviews their case. The player doesn’t count against the active roster, and can’t practice with the team or play in games.
The Browns responded with their own statement.
“We will respect the due process our legal system affords regarding the recently filed civil suit and follow the NFL’s guidelines on this matter,” the statement read.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk noted on Monday that a potential suspension could open the door for the Browns to void the remainder of Watson’s $230 million contract.
“This new case raises plenty of issues, from the standpoint of the league and the Browns. It’s possible that Watson could be subject to further scrutiny under the Personal Conduct Policy,” Florio said. “It’s also possible that a suspension — if one is imposed — could give the Browns a path toward voiding his remaining salary guarantees and ending the relationship.”
Watson is currently slated to be the Browns’ starter on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Browns Radio Host Explodes Over Baker Mayfield-Deshaun Watson Comparison
Radio host Ken Carman did not want to hear what this caller had to say when he started comparing Baker Mayfield to Deshaun Watson.
The first call on Cleveland sports talk radio this morning
Mayfield passed for 289 yards and 4 touchdowns in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ dominant 37-20 victory against the Washington Commanders.
Watson struggled mightily in Week 1, throwing a pair of interceptions and finishing with a QBR of 9.3
WEEK 1 FINAL: Cowboys 33, Browns 17
The Browns offense did some alright things late but it was hard to judge with the game pretty much out of reach. Watson tossed his second interception of the afternoon when a ball bounced off the hands of Elijah Moore and into the hands of Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs.
The Browns pushed late to try to put some silver lining on the victory. Jerome Ford stumbled into the end zone to make it 33-16. Ford finished his day with 44 yards and a score.
NOTABLE STAT LINES
QB Deshaun Watson: 169 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions / 39 rushing yards
TE David Njoku: 4 catches, 44 yards
WR Amari Cooper: 2 catches, 16 yards
DE Myles Garrett: 2 tackles, 1 Sack
S Juan Thornhill: 8.5 tackles
Quarter 3: Cowboys 30, Browns 10
Things didn’t start out great for the Browns out of the break. After their first drive stalled, Cowboys speedster KaVontae Turpin returned the ensuing punt 60 yards for a score, making it 27-3.
KAVONTAE TURPIN. 60-YARD PUNT RETURN TD.
Cowboys up big in Cleveland.
📺: #DALvsCLE on FOX
📱: t.co/waVpO909ge
Cleveland’s offense finally got on track with their next drive, going 75 yards in 12 plays. It concluded with Watson finding Jeudy for a 6-yard touchdown.
Deshaun Watson finds Jerry Jeudy in the end zone for the Browns (-130 ML) first touchdown of the season 🎯
(via @NFL)
In the third quarter down big, the Browns tried to take some shots downfield with Watson, but he was wildly inaccurate on most of the throws. Dallas added another field goal to make it 30-10.
Quarter 2: Cowboys 20, Browns 3
Micah Parsons got his first sack at the end of the first quarter and Myles Garrett responded shortly after. Garrett fired off the edge and nailed Prescott, forcing a fumble and a Dallas Punt.
As the Browns offense continued to sputter, the Cowboys found some rhythm. Prescott connected with five different receivers on a scoring drive, which ended with a 3-yard touchdown plunge by Elliott.
The Browns suffered a rough injury when Dawand Jones walked off the field injured. Practice squad call-up Germain Ifedi took his place. Cleveland has only two healthy offensive tackles. Veteran Jack Conklin and former first-round pick Jedrick Wills Jr. were not active against the Cowboys. Jones returned for the final drive of the second quarter.
The Browns offense started to hear some boos at the end of the first half. The Cowboys tacked on a field goal just before the two-minute morning to add to their lead. The kick was a 57-yard bomb from Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey.
Things didn’t get any better, with Watson getting a pass tipped and intercepted by Dallas linebacker Eric Kendricks. Parsons tipped the pass. The Cowboys flipped that into a field goal and a 20-3 lead.
Deshaun Watson throws an interception and the Browns continue to be held back by the most overpaid player in NFL history.
Watson was 6 of 13 in the first half, recording just 33 yards with an interception. He didn’t complete a pass over 5 yards downfield and was 0-for-4 when pressured.
This is Deshaun Watson’s passing chart from the first half.
Quarter 1: Cowboys 7, Browns 3
The Browns came out hot, which included a sack from defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, who drove Prescott into the ground. The play helped force a punt, which Jaelon Darden — freshly signed from the practice squad — returned 28 yards into Cowboys territory.
Great start for the Browns so far:
-Dalvin Tomlinson with a monster sack on Prescott
-Jaelon Darden with a 28-yard return to set the Browns up in Cowboys territory
-Amari Cooper makes a catch for a first down against his former team
The Browns didn’t do much on the ensuing drive, which resulted in a 51-yard field goal from Dustin Hopkins. Cleveland was initially going for a 4th-and-2, but Dawand Jones jumped, drawing a flag.
The Cowboys found their stride on the next drive. Prescott connected on a deep pass with CeeDee Lamb, and then again with Brandon Cooks on a 21-yard touchdown behind busted coverage.
Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward had one notable catch against him while covering Lamb, but nearly picked Prescott late in the first quarter. He looks sharp after missing a chunk of the preseason in concussion protocol.
Denzel Ward has been close on two interceptions already.
Sunday Pregame Feed
Myles Garrett, Donovan Mitchell Hit the Tailgate
Game day didn’t keep Browns star Myles Garrett from joining the Dawg Pound at the Municipal Lot tailgate.
Garrett was joined by fellow Cleveland star Donovan Mitchell of the Cavaliers for the festivities.
imagine running into @Flash_Garrett and @spidadmitchell in the Muni lot before kickoff 👀
Browns Outfits are Spot on for Game Day
The Browns dressed to impress for the opener, starting with linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. He was noted Best Dressed Stadium Arrival winner last season during the NFL Honors.
Jeremiah SHOWED OUT for his first fit of the season 🤩
Browns defensive end Za’Darius Smith also got in on the fun with a “Cowboy” themed outfit.
howdy, @zadariussmith 🤠
Browns Provide the Hype Ahead of Week 1
The Cleveland Browns released their official hype highlight reel a few hours before kickoff. Week 1 has officially arrived and is just hours away.
GET HYPE!!!!!
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott Gets Paid Ahead of Clash with Browns
The Cowboys inked quarterback Dak Prescott to a record-setting $240 million contract extension on Sunday, just hours before facing the Browns.
🚨 🚨 🚨
The #Cowboys and QB Dak Prescott have a deal! He gets a 4-year deal worth a record $240M(!) with $231M guaranteed, per me and @TomPelissero.
Owner Jerry Jones and agent Todd France and his team from @AthletesFirst closed it out. The NFL’s biggest question answered.
Prescott’s guaranteed is $231 million — just $1 million more than Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, who previously held the record for most guaranteed money.
Browns Best Bet: Cleveland -2.5
Heavy on Browns
Browns -2.5 is looking like the best bet of the week. Cleveland is at home and bringing back almost all of their key defensive players, so expect them to make life tough for the Dak Prescott and Co.
On the offensive side, the Browns have a loaded lineup with Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, David Njoku, and Elijah Moore, all ready to take advantage of a Cowboys secondary that’s missing All-Pro corner DaRon Bland.
With that kind of firepower, Cleveland should cover the spread and come out on top, even if it takes a last-second Dustin Hopkins field goal.
Final Prediction: Browns 27, Cowboys 24
Game info
Time/TV: Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX
Spread: Browns -2.5 | Moneyline: Cowboys (+115), Browns (-135)
Total: 41
Site: Huntington Bank Stadium, Cleveland
Announcers: Kevin Burkhardt, Tom Brady, Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi
• The Browns lead the all-time series against the Cowboys 16-13, including a 9-5 record at home.
• The Browns and the Cowboys last faced off in 2020, with Cleveland claiming a 49-38 victory at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
• The last time the Browns beat the Cowboys in Cleveland was in 1988, when they beat Dallas 24-21 on Dec. 4, 1988.
AI-Powered Player Props
• Browns WR Amari Cooper over 57.5 receiving yards
Cooper is facing the Cowboys for the first time since they dumped him for a fifth-round pick in 2022. Our AI assistant dfsPro projects that Cooper will have 81.16 yards against the Cowboys.
• Browns TE David Njoku Over 43.5 receiving yards
Njoku should pick up where he left off last season, and now he has Deshaun Watson back throwing him the ball. Njoku exceeded this number in eight of the Browns’ final nine games last season. The dfsPro projects Njoku snagging five catches for 68.1 yards during the home opener.
Browns Continue Wide Receiver Shuffle
Heavy on BrownsThe Cleveland Browns brought in Kadarius Toney for a workout this week.
The Browns brought back wide receiver David Bell on Saturday after waiving him earlier in the week. Bell was signed to the practice squad and won’t be active against the Cowboys.
Cleveland did sign Jaelon Darden to the active roster from the practice squad. In addition, the team elevated cornerback Mike Ford Jr. and tackle Germain Ifedi.
Darden’s promotion to the active roster is more about bolstering special teams than adding receiver depth. A fourth-round pick by Tampa Bay in 2021, Darden has played in 23 career games, including three with the Browns. He’s logged 56 punt returns, racking up 526 yards (9.4 average), and 23 kickoff returns for 468 yards (20.3 average).
The move also suggests the Browns are unlikely to sign former first-round pick Kadarius Toney, who recently worked out with the team.
Tom Brady is on the Call for Browns vs. Cowboys
Heavy on Browns
The matchup between the Browns and Cowboys may have some extra eyes on it, with Tom Brady making his debut in the booth with Fox Sports.
“I think the thing that’s most exciting for me is getting back to NFL football, being up here in the booth,” Brady said on Saturday.”I get to cover a sport that I absolutely love, and I’m very excited about that. It kicks off tomorrow, I couldn’t be more excited about the matchup. Dallas is coming to Cleveland, it’s a great way for us to start the season, and it can’t get here fast enough.”
Brady officially retired from football in 2023 after 23 seasons and winning seven Super Bowl titles. The Patriots legend received a 10-year, $375 million deal from Fox to become an analyst for NFL games, according to a 2022 report from Andrew Marchand.
“I’m sure he’ll do a great job,” Browns Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio said this week. “He’s done great jobs with pretty much everything else he’s done. It’s cool.”
Myles Garrett Can Set Tone Against Parsons, Cowboys
Heavy on BrownsCleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.
Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett has a prime opportunity to make an early statement in his quest for a second consecutive Defensive Player of the Year award.
Garrett and the Browns are kicking off Week 1 with a bang, taking on the Dallas Cowboys in a marquee matchup. But the real showdown? Garrett vs. Micah Parsons.
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CeeDee Lamb Ready for Browns’ Stellar Secondary
Heavy on BrownsCowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb is looking forward to going up against the Browns’ defense.
Dallas Cowboys star receiver CeeDee Lamb knows he’s in for a tough test this Sunday as he prepares to face the formidable Cleveland Browns defense.
The Browns are returning all the key pieces of their dominant, league-leading defense from last season. Myles Garrett remains a relentless threat off the edge, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah continues to be a disruptive force at linebacker, and their secondary ranks among the elite in the NFL.
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Heavy on Browns Hub: Week 4 vs. Raiders