Right now, Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons is considered by many to be the favorite to win the Defensive Player of the Year award.
Through 14 games, he has 12.5 sacks, 27 quarterback hits, and 14 tackles for loss, and he’s the biggest reason the Cowboys are sixth in total yards allowed and fifth in points given up.
There have been some fans who want Parsons to become an off-the-ball linebacker and change his role somewhat, and Parsons responded to those calls on Twitter.
Its because teams are running the ball and people like to panic ! Im Probaly leading every category in pash rushing besides sacks! People are nuts ! And if people watch film they take shots and pass more when I’m off ball or out the game! We have to get better period! https://t.co/pmruGoe96q
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) December 21, 2023
The Cowboys, at times, have had some issues stopping the run, and in their loss last weekend to the Buffalo Bills, they let James Cook run amok for 169 rushing yards on 25 rushing attempts.
But their pass defense has largely been outstanding, and Parsons has led the charge in that department.
With a 10-4 record, Dallas is in hot pursuit of first place in the NFC East, and they currently hold first place, as they hold a marginal tiebreaker over the Philadelphia Eagles, who are also 10-4.
There is even an outside chance they could finish with the top seed in the entire conference if the San Francisco 49ers, who currently have the NFC’s best record, lose to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday.
As well as Parsons is playing, there is that nagging concern about the Cowboys’ ability to win big games during the wintertime against difficult opponents, and that narrative was revived by their 21-point loss to the Bills.
They will have an opportunity to alleviate that concern on Sunday when the visit the Miami Dolphins, who own the NFL’s best and most explosive offense.
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Micah Parsons Opens Up On Cowboys’ Road Play In 2023