Rookie QB Kessler back in starting lineup for winless Browns

All he’s done since taking the helm of the offense when Tony Romo went out in the preseason with a compression fracture in his back is complete 65.2 percent of his passes for 1,773 yards and nine touchdowns.

Speaking of Erving, Jackson said he’s optimistic the second-year player will be able to go Sunday but that’s “something that I will determine, too, as we continue to move forward”.

Dak Prescott changed everything for Dallas, stepping in when Romo joined backup Kellen Moore among the injured and becoming the second rookie in National Football League history to win six of his first seven starts. LINE: Cowboys -7. O/U: 48.5 ABOUT THE COWBOYS (6-1): Prescott is one victory shy from becoming the third rookie quarterback in the Super Bowl era to win seven straight starts (Ben Roethlisberger, 13 in a row in 2004; Kyle Orton, eight consecutive in 2005). As a rookie, he leads the team in games played, completion percentage, passing yards, and touchdown-to-interception ratio. At this point, it’s important he play so the Browns can see what they have.

Even at a depressing 0-8, Pryor is a redeeming bright spot on the rebuilding Browns.

Kessler, who returned to practice a few days ago after being sidelined since October 23 with a concussion, will start Sunday as the winless Browns (0-8) host the Dallas Cowboys. But he was cleared to return to action Monday, and he participated in practice Wednesday. The Cowboys, on the other hand, have won games a variety of ways, both gaining big starts or winning in clutch moments in overtime like they did last week. Kirksey is the Browns’ leading tackler with 70 stops. Coming into Sunday, Elliott has 799 yards and on 159 carries.

While McCown has proven to be a fan-favorite, many believe that Hue Jackson will gain more leeway with Kessler starting against the Cowboys. Greco can help keep the pocket from collapsing. Cleveland just swung a trade with the Patriots for Jamie Collins, a former Pro Bowler and one of the game’s best linebackers. This hasn’t proved to be very effective for the Browns. He got the reputation of being a freelancer in New England. Dallas WR Dez Bryant had 113 receiving yards and a TD catch last week. Kessler has started five games this year for the Browns, and has been much better than most draft analysts anticipated. Jackson said it was tough sending McCown back to the bench.