Cowboys at Browns on Schedule: What's Mike Zimmer's 1st Big Test?

What better way to test the Cowboys' run defense than against the run-heavy Browns offense?

Author:
Terence Watson
Publish date:
May 14, 2024 4:02 PM EDT

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Dallas Cowboys

Last season under coordinator Dan Quinn, the Dallas Cowboys run defense ranked 18th in rushing yards allowed (114 yards per game).

Now, this season, along comes new coordinator Mike Zimmer as he looks to fix that, and he will have to do so quickly, as Dallas facing off against the run-heavy offense of the Cleveland Browns in Week 1 of the 2024 season.

Zimmer has prided himself on getting his defenses ready to stop the run so he can send waves of pressure at quarterbacks. The Browns, meanwhile, want to get their running game going early so they can start throwing the football with more success.

They also have a very mobile quarterback in DeShaun Watson who isn't afraid to run.

Something's gotta give in this battle, but right now the Browns have the upper hand because we know what to expect from them, and don't know what to expect out of Dallas.

The offensive line of the Browns is built with path-plowers, players that allow them to have an effective and consistent running game, and it's proven, ranking fifth in rushing attempts averaging 30 attempts a game and 115 yards on the ground most recently during a stint without star running back Nick Chubb.

You can expect that trend to continue, testing the Cowboys' defensive line in multiple ways to win the time of possession battle and keep the high-powered offense of the Cowboys off the field.

Zimmer will be looking to defensive tackles Osa Odighizuwa and Mazi Smith and their ability to maintain their ground and shed their blocks in the middle. DeMarcus Lawrence, Micah Parsons and rookie Marshawn Kneeland, if he's ready, must maintain containment, pushing runs back inside where Eric Kendricks and the other linebackers flip gaps and make tackles.

It sounds simple enough, but this group hasn't been able to do it consistently thus far. Zimmer's coaching and knowledge will be crucial to the development and implementation of the run defense.

If it clicks, and they show they can do this in Week 1, that bodes well for the Cowboys' season going forward. If not, then we could be looking at another season in Dallas ruined by an inept run defense.