Are the Browns ready for the biggest stage of NFL opening weekend?

Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.

Four downs on Browns (0-0) v. Dallas Cowboys (0-0)

First down: Welcome to the Big Stage.

Season-openers are always special, but this one is crazy. The NFL gave this game to FOX to slot in the exclusive 4:25 p.m. window to kick off Tom Brady’s second career as an NFL game analyst. The main attraction had to be the Cowboys, of course, FOX’s most valuable NFL commodity. Assigning Cleveland as host is a vote of confidence by the league and network that the Browns are a team deserving of national exposure, too. There’s no lack of storylines: Deshaun Watson’s long-anticipated return to action and Jim Schwartz’s attack defense led by reigning DPOY Myles Garrett. Dallas’ galaxy of stars shrouded in Jerry Jones drama includes Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons. “This is why I play the game,” said Amari Cooper, who will play against his former team for the first time since the Cowboys traded him to the Browns in 2022. “This is what I love most about the game, to go against the best. It’s the challenges. This is why I fell in love with the game of football. It’s gonna be a great matchup.” A TV audience of 30 million+ is expected. “Don’t let anybody tell you ‘it’s just another game,’” said Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. “No. It’s a game that we hold and cherish because it’s the next game, and we try to focus on the present, the game plan, how to be closer as a team. But, of course, we hear the noise. Our task is to block out the noise. We know who’s going to be there. We know all of these things. But the objective is to block those things out while focusing on the game plan.” The Cowboys are no strangers to the big stage, of course. Their record on opening day of 40-23-1 is second-best all time to the Denver Broncos (40-22-1).

Second down: No more time to wait.

The Browns’ meticulous management plan to get Watson to the starting line healthy after November shoulder surgery worked to perfection. That plan, however, did not account for a backup playing left tackle and protecting Watson’s blind side against the likes of Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence. Left tackle was a problem throughout training camp and preseason. Dallas week began with veteran Jack Conklin testing his surgically repaired left knee while moving from right to left tackle. But the player who took the most reps in team periods was fourth-year backup James Hudson. With Jedrick Wills already declared out, it appeared concerns about Conklin being able to hold up for an entire game were real. Conklin ended the week on the injury list as questionable. On Saturday, the Browns elevated backup tackle-guard Germain Ifedi from the practice squad.

Third down: Home cooking or bad quarterbacking?

In compiling an 8-1 record at home last year, Schwartz’s defense feasted on a menu of less-than-stellar quarterbacks. Overall, the Browns held opposing quarterbacks in Huntington Bank Field to 159 of 265 passing (60.0%) for 1,292 yards and 8 touchdowns. They sacked them 32 times, intercepted them 9 times and held them to an overall passer rating of 68.3. Now, here’s the roll call of QBs that rolled up those numbers: Joe Burrow (hobbled with a calf injury), Ryan Tannehill, Lamar Jackson, Brock Purdy, Clayton Tune, Kenny Pickett, Trevor Lawrence (playing with a high ankle sprain), Justin Fields and Trevor Siemian. Jackson, the eventual MVP, was 15 of 19 with 2 touchdowns and a 142.5 rating. All the others had ratings under 84. Prescott is a difference-making QB, of course. “One of the best quarterbacks in the NFL,” Schwartz said. Last year, Prescott finished first in TDs (36), first in completions (410), second in completion percentage (69.5), second in passer rating (105.9), second in passing yards (4,516) and second in MVP voting.

Fourth down: Bring the noise.

At almost every opportunity this week, coach Kevin Stefanski implored fans to show up early and be loud. Here’s why: The Cowboys are breaking in two rookies on their offensive line. Left tackle Tyler Guyton and center Cooper Beebe will be making their NFL debuts against the likes of Garrett, Za’Darius Smith, Quinton Jefferson and Dalvin Tomlinson. According to nflrefstats.com, the Browns’ defense ranked No. 1 last year in generating false starts on opposing offenses. “Part of us playing [so well] at home is our home crowd making it difficult for guys to hear the quarterback signals,” said Schwartz. “They put a lot on Dak Prescott to command the line of scrimmage. Their runs, almost all their runs, have check-with-me [signals], whether looking for down safeties, whether they’re looking for the bobble, different things like that. He has bailouts a lot, all over the passing game, and it makes it difficult when an opponent is at our place because our fans are so into it and so loud.” Schwartz went on to say, “It makes it a little more difficult for us because of the loud crowd [because] it’s harder for us to communicate. But I think that’s outweighed by making it harder for the offensive linemen to hear and the quarterback to be able to make those checks easily.”

The pick: Cowboys 26, Browns 20.

My record: 11-6 (last year).