After having no tackles or sacks in the Dallas Cowboys‘ win over the Giants last week, edge rusher Micah Parsons was able to silence the doubters as he had a phenomenal performance in the team’s 33-10 win over the Panthers Sunday.
Micah Parsons Sets Career High in Sacks
Parsons had three sacks against the Panthers, two of which came in Carolina’s first two drives. He said having those first couple of sacks to start the game was important in getting the team going.
“It was just important just to make a statement for the game, get the guys going, understand where my opportunities were,” Parsons said. “I felt like that opened up a lot of things for everyone else.”
Parsons did battle a sickness during the game, which he said was likely caused by taking a scoop of the pre-workout powder C4 dry before the game, which he has never done before.
Despite this, Parsons was all over the field and played a key role on defense in the big win for the Cowboys.
The Panthers entered the contest at 1-8, making it an attainable win for the Cowboys. But ahead of the contest, some were comparing it to the matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, where the team took an embarrassing 28-16 loss against a team they were expected to beat.
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Parsons said the team did not focus on the past as they prepared for this week’s matchup.
“We came in with the feeling that we were going to dominate and get the win,” Parsons said. “The past is the past, you learn from the past, and you move on. Once that Monday hits and we’re on a Wednesday, no one’s thinking about that game, and we’re just thinking about how can we be successful this week?”
When asked about what it means to have a career-high three sacks, Parsons said this is just the beginning.
“It just means I’m just getting warmed up,” Parsons said. “I kind of like when people go against me a little bit, they kind of question, because that always gives me a little bit more motivated. The team is doing a little bit of unordinary things, things that even I haven’t seen yet since I’ve been here … but the more I prepare for it, the more I see it and the better teams I face, I think I’m getting more of an adjustment understanding what I’m seeing. I’m able to reflect that back to the coaches. And I think that’s been the difference in my progress.”
In terms of a goal for sacks this season, Parsons said 10 is the minimum, which he has already hit this season. He hopes to get over the 13.5 hump and put up 16 to 20 sacks on the season.
Parsons was not the only player who made waves in the matchup as DaRon Bland has his fourth pick-six of the season, tying the single-season record that three other players have achieved.
“He’s special. I mean, we’ve seen it from one player who’s out this year who used to do stuff like that, and seeing him come into to his own is truly special,” Parsons said. “He should be on lock for All-Pro. It shouldn’t even be a question. He’s on a remarkable, unbelievable run right now.”
The Cowboys will take on the 4-7 Commanders on Thanksgiving day in hopes of extending their win streak to three.
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