What kind of Browns team will we be facing?

Finally! Real NFL football starts this coming week. The 2024 Cowboys season starts next Sunday in Cleveland against a browns team with plenty of strengths and plenty of question marks too.

Here is a look at the browns strengths and weaknesses, along with question marks going into 2024:

STRENGTHS

• The browns have an outstanding defense. It was ranked #1 in 2023 in total defense, giving up only 270 yards per game.
• Their defense was especially tough against the pass last year, allowing a league low 57% completion rate for opposing QBs, and finished 5th in sacks with 49.
• DE Myles Garrett was the NFL Defensive Player of the year in 2023, is a 3x first team All Pro, and continues to be outstanding as a pass rusher and overall disrupter, getting 14 sacks last year, and had 16 sacks each the previous 2 seasons.
• The browns played very well at home last year, going 8-1 in their stadium.
• The browns were 11-6 last year despite losing their starting QB for the season in week 10 with a shoulder injury, and their top RB for the season in week 2.
• Despite not having a good QB situation last year, former Cowboy WR Amari Cooper had a very good season last year with 72 receptions for 1,250 yards, and made the pro bowl.

WEAKNESSES

• The browns offense has been mostly mediocre the last two seasons. In 2023, the browns were ranked 16th in total offense, and 14th in 2022.
• Their best RB Nick Chubb suffered a serious knee injury at the beginning of the season last year and will not be ready to start this season. Without Chubb, the browns only averaged 3.9 yds per rush in 2023.
• The browns were terrible on 3rd down conversion % last year, finishing 29th with a paltry 31.6% 3rd down conversion rate.
• Deshaun Watson will probably be very rusty having not played since last Nov and having a surgically repaired throwing shoulder.

QUESTION MARKS

• What will Deshaun Watson be able to do after that major surgery on his shoulder last year?
• Without Nick Chubb to start the season, will the browns be able to run the ball effectively? (They couldn’t last year)
• The browns (like the Cowboys) have a mostly rebuilt OL. Will it be able to be effective?
• Will the browns maintain their recent home field advantage after going 8-1 last year at home?

The opening week of every season always has surprises. This should be a very fun and interesting matchup. The browns have an outstanding defense but their offense has been just average. Hopefully the Cowboys can generate some offense and the defense can show some grit too.

The regular season is here!