The day after the Browns lost their season opener 33-17 to the Cowboys, head coach Kevin Stefanski spoke of the teams' intentions of making explosive plays and being efficient on offense.
"The mentality for us is to be an explosive offense," Stefanski said. "Whether that's through the air or through the ground. We have a lot of faith in our guys. Obviously, we didn't throw it well enough yesterday. We didn't run it well enough yesterday. So those are things that we'll make sure we get corrected."
The Browns struggled to create explosive plays Sunday, particularly in the first half of their season opener. By halftime, Cleveland had only picked up one first down, which came on the opening field goal drive, and had zero explosive plays – defined as a rush over 10 yards or a passing play over 20 yards.
At halftime, the score was 20-3. After the Browns started the second half with a three-and-out, the Cowboys returned the punt for a touchdown to increase their lead to 27 points – not insurmountable, but a difficult deficit to overcome.
"I felt we all, team-wise, coaches, we all have that fight mentality no matter what," RB Jerome Ford said. "So, no matter what's going on in the game, we're going to always try to fight to the end."
The offense sharpened up at times in the second half, putting together two touchdown drives. However, by the time Ford found the end zone, there were under 30 seconds remaining in the game and Dallas' 16-point lead was effectively set in stone.
Throughout the game, Cleveland was playing behind schedule. Unsuccessful runs and penalties were the major culprits in their struggles on offense. According to Next Gen Stats, nearly 73 percent of the plays run by the Browns offense were passes, as Cleveland was behind by multiple scores from the 5:15 mark in the second quarter until the end of the game.
As the Cowboys' lead increased, the Browns were pressured to pass the ball, with only five non-quarterback running plays called in the first half.
Their opening play of the game, however, was a run – and a successful one. The offensive line made its assignments, creating a hole for Ford to gain four yards. After a 6-yard completion to WR Amari Cooper, the Browns offense was rolling.
Then, OT James Hudson III was called for an ineligible man downfield penalty on the following play. After picking up a quick first down, the offense was playing behind schedule, facing first-and-15 and entering a more obvious passing situation.
"First-and-10 is hard enough," G Joel Bitonio said after the game. "First-and-15 or first-and-20 is not easy. We have to clean those up. I think we had (seven) on offense and a lot more illegal formations and stuff that negated big plays for us or put us behind the sticks, which, this is a team that can rush the passer and that's not what you want to do."
Check out photos of the Browns against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jaelon Darden (16) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive tackle James Hudson III (66) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Kicker Dustin Hopkins (7) and Punter Corey Bojorquez (13) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Kicker Dustin Hopkins (7) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) and Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Ephraim Banda during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
The defense during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (31) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) and Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety D'Anthony Bell (37) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) and Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Tony Fields II (42) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive tackle James Hudson III (66) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) and Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Long snapper Charley Hughlett (47) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
The defense during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) and Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) and Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
The offense during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) and Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) and Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
The defense during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Running back Jerome Ford (34) and Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Dallas pass rush got pressure on Watson on two of the following three plays and Cleveland faced fourth-and-2 in Cowboys territory. The offense lined up to go for it, but LT Dawand Jones was flagged for a false start and Cleveland had to settle for a 51-yard field goal.
A drive that had touchdown potential was bookended by penalties that prevented Cleveland from having a chance to find the end zone.
When Cleveland got behind the sticks throughout the course of the game, the Cowboys defense virtually never had to guess whether the Browns would run or pass. DC Mike Zimmer was able to dial up pressure, something that Watson struggled against on Sunday – facing 25 total pressures and completing just 5 of 17 passing attempts when under duress, per Next Gen Stats.
"We got into a lot of passing situations," Bitonio said. "I'm not sure how many rushes we had that were true runs, but it was more game script than the plan. You get behind, you have to throw the ball a little bit."
On their second drive of the game, Cleveland started with another penalty – a false start called against Jones – and once again faced a first-and-15 in a drive that resulted in a punt after only three plays.
The pressures from the Cowboys defense continued to pile up. On a drive in the second half, the pocket quickly collapsed around Watson, but he got the ball out to Njoku – who dropped the pass on what could have resulted in a first down. DE DeMarcus Lawrence hit Watson as he threw, one of the 11 times Watson was hit in addition to being sacked six times.
"You hate to see the guy you block for getting hit unnecessarily when we could," G Wyatt Teller said. "If we run the ball better, we stay in front of the chains, we don't get penalties and we, again, stay in front of the chains, and it's a different game."
Excluding Watson's five scrambles, the Browns 15 rushing attempts – including 13 from Ford and two from RB Pierre Strong Jr. – generated just a 47 percent success rate, per Next Gen Stats. By halftime, Cleveland had only run the ball five times, with only one run for over five yards.
At that point, the Cowboys were winning 20-3, forcing the Browns offense into passing downs throughout the second half. With Parsons, Lawrence and the rest of the Cowboys defensive line generating consistent pressure, the Browns struggled to overcome the circumstances brought upon by their first-half mistakes.
"Penalties in the first drive, three-and-outs to start the game, them scoring, us putting our defense at a disadvantage," Teller said when asked about what made the Cowboys' defensive effort successful on Sunday.
The Browns buried the Cowboys game on Monday, in the words of Ford, and will focus on how they can improve when they return to practice on Wednesday. They will face a Jacksonville defense that sacked Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa three times in their loss to Miami on Sunday.
With a full practice week ahead, Stefanski is confident in his team's ability to rebound after the loss as the team prepares to head to Jacksonville.
"We just have to go play our best as we can on offense, and it's everybody," Stefanski said on Monday. "It's coaching, it's players up and down the roster. We own what happened yesterday. Obviously, we're not thrilled with those results, but we're going to learn from it, and we'll be better this week."
