Cowboys vs. Browns Predictions, Picks & Odds: NFL Week 1, Sunday 9/8

Don’t look now, but Week 1 of the new NFL season may feature a Super Bowl preview! Ok, maybe we won’t go that far, but the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns are both coming off double-digit win seasons, and they both ranked inside the top five in multiple key defensive categories.
We’ve broken down this matchup between America’s team and the Dawg Pound to provide you with our best Cowboys vs. Browns predictions. On top of making Cowboys vs. Browns picks, we also have a DraftKings Sportsbook sign up bonus worth over $250 guaranteed for you!
Cowboys vs. Browns Predictions For NFL Week 1, Sunday, 9/8
We already alluded to it, but when it comes to Cowboys vs. Browns predictions, there’s no doubt that all eyes will be on the defenses. However, it may not be for the reasons you’d expect. Sure, both were fantastic last season, but they were not without losses this offseason.
That is especially true for Dallas, as they lost multiple defensive starters, including LB Leighton Vander Esch, DE Dante Fowler Jr and CB Stephon Gilmore. Similarly, the Browns are now without LB Anthony Walker as the heartbeat of their defense.
Another key aspect to consider before locking in any Cowboys vs. Browns picks is Cleveland’s QB situation. Joe Flacco was able to hop off the couch and win Comeback Player of the Year last season, but will a healthy Deshaun Watson live up to his expectations? That’s the $230 million question.
Dallas Cowboys: Moving Past Offseason Drama
Before diving further into Watson and the Browns, Dallas isn’t without their own drama. After all, when does Jerry Jones not want to be the topic of headlines? He seems to be a believer that any press is good press, even when it comes to his players’ happiness.
Way back at the start of the offseason, Jones stated that the Cowboys would be doing everything possible to bounce back from their embarrassing playoff exit. They then proceeded to do virtually nothing but lose key players.
Admittedly, they did finally get the deal done with superstar WR CeeDee Lamb, who led all WRs in fantasy points last season. However, the soon-to-be-over contract with QB Dak Prescott is still looming. They’ll have him this season regardless but having that in the back of everyone’s minds only brings more attention to Dallas.
Cleveland Browns: Continuing To Turn The Franchise Around
On the flip side, while the Cowboys love to be in the limelight as America’s team, the Browns have been largely forgotten for what seems like forever. However, that has since changed, as the team is coming off an 11-win season and postseason appearance.
That came after not only Watson’s shoulder injury, but RB Nick Chubb’s brutal knee injury. That made their success story even more impressive, but oddsmakers are doubting Cleveland once again. Despite being on the heels of the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North all of last year, their win total for this season is set at just 8.5 wins.
It certainly doesn’t help that Chubb won’t be ready for the first few weeks of the season, but perhaps this while putting yet another chip on the shoulder of the Browns franchise.
Cowboys vs. Browns Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines
DraftKings Sportsbook has the most favorable odds for the best bet from our Cowboys vs. Browns predictions, so before we dive into our favorite play, here are those lines:
- Point Spread: Dallas Cowboys +2.5 (-105) vs. Cleveland Browns -2.5 (-115)
- Money Line: Dallas Cowboys (+114) vs. Cleveland Browns (-135)
- Game Total (Over/Under): Over 40.5 (-112) vs. Under 40.5 (-108)
Cowboys vs. Browns Over 40.5 Points (-112 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
That’s right, after sharing how great the Dallas and Cleveland defenses were last season, we’re taking the over as the focus of our Cowboys vs. Browns predictions. First and foremost, it’s not as if DraftKings is providing a massive number that we need to exceed.
Of course, that is no surprise given the defensive strength of these teams last season. While that may be true, let’s not forget those key losses that we mentioned above. It’s also worth remembering that some of the Cowboys’ defensive success is not something that can be firmly relied upon.
Dallas had five pick sixes last season, and they were all by a single player - CB Daron Bland. He was largely an unknown until doing so, which means we won't be banking on that happening again. Similarly, CB Trevon Diggs is as boom-or-bust as it gets. In other words, Browns star WR Amari Cooper will have plenty of opportunities to light up the stat sheet.
Consider some player props for Cooper as part of your Cowboys vs. Browns picks, but for the favorite pick from our Cowboys vs. Browns predictions, we’re going with over 40.5 points (-112 at DraftKings Sportsbook).
Cowboys vs. Browns Injury Report & Latest News
We’ve already shared players missing from both teams, and the latest injury report below shares others we need to keep an eye on:
DAL Cowboys:
- TE John Stephens (Questionable)
- LB Damone Clark (Probable)
- DE Marshawn Kneeland (Probable)
- S Israel Mukuamu (Probable)
- DT Mazi Smith (Probable)
- DB Juanyeh Thomas (Probable)
CLE Browns:
- WR David Bell (Questionable)
- OT Jack Conklin (Questionable)
- LB Jordan Hicks (Questionable)
- DT Maurice Hurst (Questionable)
- DL Quinton Jefferson (Questionable)
- DL Dalvin Tomlinson (Questionable)
- LB Nathaniel Watson (Questionable)
- OT Jedrick Wills (Questionable)
- WR Jerry Jeudy (Probable)
- LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (Probable)
- DE Alex Wright (Probable)
How To Bet On Cowboys vs. Browns At DraftKings Sportsbook & Claim Your $250+ Bonus
Now, it’s finally time to share how you can use the Cowboys vs. Browns odds, or any betting market, to claim a massive DraftKings sign up bonus with over $250 in guaranteed rewards. Start by signing up here so that no DraftKings promo code is needed, and then deposit at least $5.
Follow that up with a $5+ wager on anything, such as our Cowboys vs. Browns predictions. No matter what you bet on and no matter if it wins or loses, DK boosts your account with $250 in bonus bets. Furthermore, you’ll be able to opt-in to a free month of NFL+ Premium no matter what!
So, if multiple guaranteed bonuses sound good to you, round out our Cowboys vs. Browns predictions by joining DraftKings today!
Player News
Sports Illustrated’s Terrance Biggs believes Falcons WR Nick Nash could “work his way” into the team’s wideout rotation.
Biggs said the 25-year-old undrafted free agent out of San Jose State who in 2024 led all college receivers in catches, yards, and touchdowns could make an impact in offseason workouts and training camp and find his way into a role in the Atlanta offense. “With time,” Biggs said, “you can see Nash work his way into the rotation, earning his keep on special teams and four/five receiver sets.” Nash’s lack of explosiveness and long speed will be tough to overcome, but precise route running and sure hands for the QB-turned-wideout could earn Nash a roster spot this summer. For now, Drake London, Ray-Ray McCloud, and Darnell Mooney sit atop the Atlanta receiver depth chart.
Eagles exercised the fifth-year option for DT Jordan Davis.
After Eagles general manager Howie Roseman in mid-April declined to say whether the team would pick up Davis’ option, the team made the call following Davis played his second straight 17-game season for the dominant Philly front seven. Davis, who has 3.5 sacks and five tackles for loss over his past two seasons, was graded by Pro Football Focus as 2024’s 40th best defensive tackle. He will make $12.9 million in the 2026 season.
The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt believes RB Donovan Edwards will make the Jets roster.
Edwards, who signed with New York as an undrafted free agent after the 2025 NFL Draft, faces an uphill battle to make the final roster behind Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, and Isaiah Davis. Rosenblatt said “Edwards’ pass-catching skills are his best path to the roster” after the back totaled 86 receptions in four years in college, at 9.3 yards per reception. The highly-athletic Edwards excelled in some big spots for Michigan over the years but never fully emerged as the player many expected to see after his stellar 2022 campaign. If he makes the New York roster, Edwards would likely operate as a special teamer or pass-catching specialist out of the backfield.
Packers signed WR Bo Melton, RB Emanuel Wilson, and P Daniel Whelan to their exclusive rights free agent tenders.
Melton caught on with the Packers in 2023, totaling 16 receptions for 218 yards and a touchdown in five games. He added eight receptions for 91 yards in 17 games last season. Melton will continue to be a depth piece in an already-deep Packers wide receiver room. Wilson has also been with the Packers for two seasons and rushed for 502 yards and four touchdowns as Josh Jacobs’ immediate backup last season. He will compete with MarShawn Lloyd for that role again. Whelan is the team’s punter and will be back for 2025. All three signed their exclusive rights free agent tender and will essentially be on one-year contracts this season.
Seahawks re-signed Johnathan Hankins to a one-year contract.
Hankins hasn’t had a PFF run defense grade above 52.4 since 2020 and is primarily called on to play early downs. He turned 33 in March. He’ll be a complimentary piece behind Jarran Reed and Byron Murphy II if he makes the roster out of training camp.
Chargers placed the UFA tender on RB J.K. Dobbins.
This gives the Chargers exclusive negotiating rights if he does not sign with a team by July 22 or the first 2025 NFL training camp opens, whichever comes first. The tag is mainly useful for compensatory pick reasons as Dobbins will still count towards Los Angeles’ haul in the formula if signed before then. The Chargers currently do not project to add a pick in 2026 per Over The Cap’s Nick Korte.