The Browns’ way in recent years has meant little more than being a punching bag for the rest of the league. However, a surprising 10-6 record — only the second season with 10 or more wins since 1988 — raised the club’s profile. With five nationally televised regular-season games on its schedule, Cleveland is again being viewed as a pro football hotspot after years of neglect.

Led by an offense that racked up 402 points, the Browns have enough firepower to hang with any team, including these gunslinging Cowboys. Injuries prevented Pro Bowl quarterback Derek Anderson, running back Jamal Lewis, wide receiver Braylon Edwards and Cleveland’s other offensive starters from playing a single snap together during a winless exhibition season.

Those games didn’t count. On Sunday, everything matters.

“We’ve got high expectations for this team, not just the offense,” said tight end Kellen Winslow, who feels he can improve on an 82-catch, 1,106-yard season in ’07. “So the chemistry is going to come. It doesn’t really come in the first game. It’s going to take a little while, but we’re very explosive and we’ve got a lot of weapons.”

As do the Cowboys, who will get their first look at Adam “Pacman” Jones, the troubled and talented cornerback/kick returner. Jones was recently reinstated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after serving a 17-month suspension for a litany of off-field transgressions.

Mr. Jones, as Browns coach Romeo Crennel referred to him this week, hasn’t played in a regular-season game since 2006, when he was with Tennessee. In his Dallas debut, Jones will return punts, join rookie Felix Jones as a deep man on kickoff returns and may see some time at cornerback.

“I don’t want to get too overhyped, but Sunday I’ll be ready,” he said. “I’m just trying to not get too riled up.”

That may be more difficult than he thinks.

Cleveland fans have been at a fevered pitch since the opener was announced months ago. By the time kickoff arrives at 4:15 p.m., thousands of rabid Browns backers, known for their barking and dog-biscuit eating intensity, will be foaming at the mouth. It’s been a long time since an opener — or any game for that matter — has meant so much, and the sight of the Cowboys will only raise the intensity.

“I’ve been on the other team coming into this stadium,” Lewis said. “It’s not a good feeling.”

Even if you’re America’s Team.

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