Cowboys vs. Browns prediction: Week 1 NFL odds, picks, best bets

The seventh month-long wait for football has ended, with the NFL season officially kicking off on Thursday night in dramatic fashion, followed up by Friday’s international thriller in Brazil.

Four Super Bowl-contending teams over two days to start the season off with a bang.

On Sunday, two more contenders face off in a nationally televised afternoon game in Cleveland.

The Cowboys and Browns — owners of two of the NFL’s best defenses — open up against each other with high hopes of ending the season in New Orleans, site of Super Bowl LIX.

Here is my prediction and pick for Cowboys vs. Browns (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX).

Cowboys vs. Browns odds

Cowboys vs. Browns prediction

As far as offseasons go, the Cowboys had one of the worst of any team in the NFL. 

On offense, they lost LT Tyron Smith, C Tyler Biadasz and RB Tony Pollard and replaced them with rookie LT Tyler Guyton, rookie C Cooper Beebe, and well-past-his-prime RB Ezekiel Elliott. Woof!

Then, there was the offseason drama with CeeDee Lamb, Dak Prescott and Jerry Jones that occurred during contract renegotiations. Needless to say, it has all been a mess.

As a rookie, Guyton has the most unenviable Week 1 matchup of any player, as he will be forced to keep Myles Garrett at bay for 60 minutes.

Even though the Cowboys have one of the best guards in football in Zack Martin, they aren’t going to get much accomplished in the ground game with Elliott as the lead back. 

And historically, Prescott has not been elite under pressure, which will be the case on nearly every passing play in this Week 1 matchup.

On a similar note, the Browns also have questions to answer, including the play of Deshaun Watson and how they will fill in for Nick Chubb’s absence at the beginning of the season.

Watson has been extremely inconsistent in his first 12 games with the Browns, throwing 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

He had an injury-riddled 2023 season, missing most of the campaign.

Not having Chubb hurts the Browns’ offense. Without him, they will not be able to lean on the ground game as heavily, putting even more pressure on Watson to produce in the air.

Betting on the NFL?

Cowboys vs. Browns pick

Ultimately, this game is a toss-up, but the under at 41 on DraftKings has value.

Both offenses should struggle to consistently produce, especially with two of the best defenses in the NFL on the other side of the ball.

Pick: Under 41 (-108, DraftKings)