There were so many question marks surrounding the Dallas Cowboys heading into their season opener at the Cleveland Browns. How would new coordinator Mike Zimmer’s defense stack up? Would CeeDee Lamb be ready after sitting out the entire training camp? How would the rookies fare on the offensive line? Would Dak Prescott and the starters hit the ground running after not playing a single snap in the preseason?

So much for that. The Cowboys not only did business with a 33-17 victory in Cleveland, they did it convincingly, matching the Browns’ physical prowess step for step.

Fresh off his newly signed contract, Prescott wasted no time getting started. He threw for 179 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions for an 85.3 passer rating. Eight different players hauled in catches, and Lamb showed no signs of slowing down. He finished with five grabs for a game-high 61 receiving yards.

But the way Zimmer’s defense played didn’t worry the Cowboys’ offense much. The unit held Browns quarterback DeShaun Watson to 169 passing yards, one score and two interceptions for a 51.1 rating while tackling him six times. Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence led the effort, both wreaking havoc on Cleveland’s battered offensive line.

And welcome to Dallas, Eric Kendricks. In his debut with the team, the linebacker tied for the club lead with 10 tackles, recorded his first interception since the 2021 season and had a pair of sacks, his first multi-sack effort since the 2016 campaign.

Even special teams got in on the act, as coordinator John Fassel’s group scored 18 points that day. Brandon Aubrey picked up where he left off, converting all four of his field goal attempts.

The Cowboys didn’t exactly get off to the desired start, but that feeling didn’t last long. Bryan Anger was forced to punt on the team’s first possession, and the Browns ran the ball back 28 yards to the Dallas 46-yard line. The Cowboys’ defense kept the damage to a minimum, however, as Cleveland had to settle for a 51-yard field goal for an early 3-0 lead.

No worries, Prescott and the offense got to work on their next series. The quarterback tossed a sweet pass to Lamb down the right sideline for 34 yards, and three snaps later he beat the Cleveland blitz with a 21-yard pass to an all-alone Brandin Cooks in the end zone for the touchdown.

After both sides traded a pair of points, the Cowboys took their second series of the second frame, marching 78 yards in 11 plays to earn the ball. Ezekiel Elliott, who finished with 40 rushing yards on 10 carries, played a key role this time around, contributing 24 yards on four touches, the last of which was a 3-yard burst up the middle to the goal line.

That was followed by Aubrey showing off his formidable leg on Dallas’ next possession. Remember, he was good at a 65-yard field goal during the preseason, so a 57-yarder was a piece of cake.

But the Cowboys weren’t done for the half. On second-and-14 at their own 26, Cleveland’s Watson’s attempted pass was batted into the air by Parsons, and Kendricks intercepted the ball. That eventually led to another Aubrey field goal, this one from 40 yards.

Still, Aubrey almost got another chance. With four seconds left in the quarter, head coach Mike McCarthy sent his kicker out to attempt what would have been a record-tying 66-yard field goal. And Aubrey was good in his attempt; however, a delay of game penalty was called just before the snap.

Dallas considered giving him a shot at a 71-yard field goal, but decided against it. The Cowboys went into halftime with a 20-3 lead.

In the first half alone, the Cowboys outgained their hosts by 216 yards to just 54.

The Cowboys already had a 17-point lead and showed no signs of taking their foot off the gas pedal. After the defense forced a quick three-and-out, KaVontae Turpin collected the Browns’ punt at his own 40-yard line. He then bolted up the middle, cut to the right sideline, got the blocks he needed and drove the distance for a 60-yard touchdown, the first punt return score of his career. It was also the Cowboys’ first punt return touchdown since the 2017 season.

Cleveland finally showed signs of life on the next series, going 75 yards on 12 plays for a score. Watson completed 6 of 10 passes for 71 yards, the last of which was a 6-yard dart to Jerry Jeudy just inside the right cone to narrow the deficit slightly, 27-10.

But when linebacker DeMarvion Overshown then fired a cannonball to tackle Watson on fourth-and-6 at the Browns’ 49-yard line, Dallas was back in business in enemy territory. Prescott and company couldn’t make much headway, but it was enough for Aubrey, who fired a 50-yard field goal to increase the score to 30-10.

Even though there was still a quarter to play, the game was essentially decided. That meant the Browns were forced to go for it again on fourth down deep in their own territory. That meant that when the Dallas defense stopped them, the offense was in prime position again. That meant Aubrey would kick another field goal, this time from 46 yards out.

So why not get Trevon Diggs in on the action? Cleveland had crossed back into Dallas territory, but in his first game back after missing all but two of 2023 due to injury, the Pro Bowl cornerback was able to intercept a tipped pass.

But the Cowboys were content to run out the clock, and they eventually did. The Browns added a 4-yard touchdown run in the final seconds, but it was far too little, far too late, as Dallas pulled out a 33-17 victory.

The Cowboys now return to AT&T Stadium to host the New Orleans Saints next week at noon for their 2024 home game.