What to know about Dallas Cowboys’ big season-opening win at Cleveland Browns

What you should know about the Dallas Cowboys’ season-opening 33-17 win over the Browns in Cleveland Sunday:

The contract

Prior to the game, word leaked that quarterback Dak Prescott and the Cowboys agreed to a four-year $240 million contract.

It’s the biggest contract in NFL history.

The MVP

Toss up. Kicker Brandon Aubrey? Quarterback Dak Prescott? Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and the Cowboys’ defensive unit? It would be difficult to give just one game ball. Zimmer’s defense gets the nod as seven different defenders got pressure on Browns quarterback DeShaun Watson throughout the day. The Browns were held to 230 yards, were sacked six times and were intercepted twice.

27 straight points

After the Browns’ Dustin Hopkins kicked a 51-yard field goal with 9:23 left in the first quarter to give Cleveland a 3-0 lead, the Cowboys scored the next 27 points for a 27-3 lead early in the third quarter.

The punt return

Kavontae Turpin’s 60-yard punt return (and Aubrey’s extra point) put the game out of reach. The score came after the Browns’ opening drive of the second half fizzled.

Aubrey’s big day

The Cowboys’ second-year kicker had a big day, but it could have been even bigger.

Aubrey booted four field goals (57, 40, 50 and 46 yards) and three extra points. Before the half, he lined up and made a 66-yard field goal that would have tied the longest in NFL history. However, a Cowboys penalty nullified the kick and pushed the ball back 5 yards. Coach Mike McCarthy chose not to kick a 71-yard field goal.

Zeke’s return

Running back Ezekiel Running back led a running attack that gained 102 yards on 25 carries. Elliott had 10 rushes for 40 yards. Five others rushed at least one time.

Prescott’s numbers

Prescott celebrated his big contract with a good game, but not a record-setting one. He completed 19 of 32 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions.

Injuries to receivers

Wide receiver Brandin Cooks, who caught the first Cowboys’ touchdown of the season, and tight end Jake Ferguson both hobbled off the field with injuries in the third quarter. Cooks was reportedly dehydrated and returned to the field; Ferguson had an apparent knee injury.

Scoring recap

FIRST QUARTER

CLE: Dustin Hopkins, 51-yard field goal, 9:23. Browns lead 3-0

DAL: Brandin Cooks, 21-yard pass from Dak Prescott (Brandon Aubrey kick). 6:55. Cowboys lead 7-3

SECOND QUARTER

DAL: Ezekiel Elliott, 3-yard run (Aubrey kick). 5:15. Cowboys lead 14-3

DAL: Aubrey, 57-yard field goal. 2:06. Cowboys lead 17-3

DAL: Aubrey, 40-yard field goal. 0:51. Cowboys lead 20-3

THIRD QUARTER

DAL: KaVontae Turpin, 60-yard field goal (Aubrey kick). 12:59. Cowboys lead 27-3.

CLE: Jerry Jeudy, 6-yard pass from DeShaun Watson (Hopkins kick). 8:42. Cowboys lead 27-10

DAL: Aubrey, 50-yard field goal. 1:27. Cowboys lead 30-10

FOURTH QUARTER

DAL: Aubrey, 46-yard field goal. 11:51. Cowboys lead 33-10

CLE: Jerome Ford,2-yard run (Hopkins kick). 0:29. Cowboys lead 33-17

Up next

The Cowboys play their home opener on Sept. 15 against the New Orleans Saints. Kickoff is at noon at AT&T Stadium.

This story was originally published September 8, 2024 at 6:47 PM.