Big, bad Cleveland Browns

Derek Anderson?

It's hear. Two months of anticipation, training camp, pre-season games, a billion talk-show segments and chatter, and it's finally here.

The Dallas Cowboys kick off their 2008-09 season against the Cleveland Browns.

And every Cowboys fan in the nation should be scared.

The Browns are a very, very dangerous team. They score a ton of points and their strength lies in their passing game, which could prove disastrous for the Cowboys. Plus it's on the road, first game of the season. It just breeds doubt and fear.

Five things to watch:

Cowboys Secondary
Braylon Edwards had 1,200 yards. Kellen Winslow Jr. had 1,100 yards. The problem is that it stops right there. And Donte Stallworth is their No. 2 guy. Nonetheless, this is a dangerous set of weapons and the Browns will be dying to get Cowboys safety Roy Williams on Winslow in man-to-man. Plus, Terrance Newman is maybe out. More work for rookies Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick (I don't think Newman will miss the game). Very dangerous.

Joshua Cribbs
Cribbs had about 2,200 return yards and three touchdowns in 2007. The Cowboys kick coverage is suspect.

Browns Rushing
Jamal Lewis is it. Not that he's awful. He's fine. But he's it for the Browns rushing attack. If you can reel him in, you can reel in the Browns running game and stick more defensive backs in there. Zach Thomas' value will be tested early.

The Dog Pound
It was rowdy in Bernie Kosar's day. They say it's equally so. Cowboys were pumping music into their practice facility to create a similarly angry and loud atmosphere.

Jason Garrett
The Browns were Nos. 27 and 24 in rush and pass defense, respectively. Shaun Rogers is really their only important addition. There will be opportunities to deploy all the weapons. Let's see if Garrett goes deep into the playbook.

Prediction
Cowboys 34, Browns 24
This game makes me feel uneasy for the Cowboys. As much as I keep trying to talk myself into the Browns, I just can't even in Cleveland.