Following the Cowboys’ 34-10 loss to the Houston Texans in Week 11, defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer challenged Micah Parsons to be better as a leader for the defense. Parsons has more than stepped up to the challenge.
Despite the widespread array of injuries that Dallas has had on the defensive side of the ball, the Cowboys have been in the top five in third down conversion rate, turnovers and sacks since Parsons’ return from injury in Week 10. In being a bigger leader for his teammates, Parsons has seen his game elevate at the same time.
“I would just say I’m just locked in, I think ever since I committed to that, I’ve been playing better myself,” Parsons said. “I’ve just been locked in, I’ve just been showing guys the way, just trying to do everything right, cleaning things up of my own acting accord.”
He’s cleaned up plenty of opposing quarterbacks in that time span, recording 8.5 sacks and 47 pressures, both the highest in the NFL in that time span. It’s been refreshing for him to take more responsibility as a leader, and it’s reflected in how much closer the locker room has become.
“It has been paying dues, we’ve all been together, the camaraderie, the brotherhood, everything’s been closer,” Parsons said. “And you’d say ‘You’re missing so many guys and leaders, how is that possible?’ but I think it gave a breath of fresh air for other guys to step up and fill those roles.”
Parsons fulfilled his own prophecy from back in Week 11 when he said Dallas’ defense would be discussed as a “damn good defense” by the end of the season. Parsons credits both defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and his teammates for rising to the occasion.
“As much as I think [Zimmer’s] a mastermind, I give credit to everyone in the room. Coaching matters and Zimmer doesn’t even yell anymore, he just tells people to line up.” Parsons said.
“It goes to show that everyone in the locker room and every that’s in defensive meetings, they’re busting their butts, they’re fighting for their lives, they’re fighting for every inch of every game, I think it’s more than just coaching too.”
A message from a coach is one thing, but the players buying into it is another. The good news for Dallas is that they have both, and the Cowboys are locked into their winning mindset despite being eliminated from playoff contention because in their mind, they have something to prove.
“We were eliminated from the playoffs and you saw some of the best effort from all the guys…” Parsons said. “We’re locked in, we want it, we want to win games, we want to prove to people that we can win, and we want to prove to people that we’re a good football team.”
The Cowboys’ next chance to prove they are a good football team comes on the road Sunday in a division rivalry matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. With wide receiver CeeDee Lamb now out for the year with an injury, Parsons and the defense will need to step up and try to play spoiler. It’s something they were already expecting to do anyways.
“I think these games… it’s going to come down to defense,” Parsons said. “They’ve got a top defense, we’re playing better defense at this point in the year, I think it’s going to be a defensive game.”