A narrative that followed the Dallas Cowboys all of last season was their inability to win a big game. Critics will come out of hiding as soon as possible, but Dallas made a strong statement on Sunday with a 33-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns.

While Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and Ezekiel Elliott stole the show in the first half, the offense couldn’t find a rhythm in the second half. Granted, the play-calling was a bit conservative when the Cowboys got out to a big lead, but Mike Zimmer’s defense was fantastic from start to finish.

The Browns managed just 10 points before scoring a touchdown in the final minute of regulation, with Micah Parsons making a sack, blocking a pass that was intercepted and nearly generating double-digit pressure.

While Parsons ruined the game in the second quarter as the Cowboys asserted their dominance on opposing territory, the most important takeaway from the win is that Zimmer made Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson see ghosts.

It’s only one game and the fans in Cleveland have seen enough of Watson. The booing came to Huntington Bank Field at the end of the second quarter!

Watson put up some all-time-worst numbers in the first half. He failed to complete a pass more than five yards downfield on seven attempts and was 0-of-4 when pressured and 0-of-4 against the blitz. The only thing Watson did well was break tackles. He tiptoed out of several sacks.

Zimmer had Watson figured out from the start. He completed the game 24-of-45 (53.5 percent completion percentage) for 169 yards and one touchdown (while trailing 27-3) to go along with two interceptions. He averaged a horrendous 3.8 yards per attempt and a passer rating of 51.1.

The Cowboys defense as a whole turned in a spectacular performance. Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, who recorded two sacks, feasted on the edge, while Eric Kendricks and DeMarvion Overshown put on a masterful display at linebacker, Trevon Diggs got in on a late interception and rookie Caelan Carson could have had multiple picks.

Cowboys fans couldn’t have asked for a better second debut from Zimmer. The defense tackled Watson six times and had five interceptions. Watson has had a few stinkers since signing a huge contract with the Browns, but this was easily the worst of the bunch.

The fact that Cleveland fans already want Jameis Winston (!) to lead the offense is incredible. We can’t remember Dan Quinn ever having that much of an impact on an opponent. Zimmer did it in one game.

More Cowboys News and Analysis