Micah Parsons sees opportunity against Carolina after no tackles in Giants game update
New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys
Micah Parsons, No. 11 of the Dallas Cowboys, rushes the passer during an NFL football game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on Nov. 12, 2023, in Arlington, Texas.
FRISCO — For the first time in his successful NFL career, Micah Parsons didn’t record a statistic Sunday. He played 39 defensive snaps in the 49-17 win over the New York Giants but didn’t record a tackle, which was a first for him.
However, he still recorded four pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.
He also recorded his sixth-lowest PFF grade of his career (55.0) and the second lowest of the season. He recorded a 54.2 grade in the blowout loss to San Francisco.
Parsons, known for holding himself to a high standard, gave an assessment of the game on Thursday.
As a reason for his zero tackles, he pointed specifically to lining up off the line of scrimmage more. He did it on 10 of 39 snaps against the Giants, which was the second-highest rate of the season.
Parsons also pointed to playing an offense that he described as “vanilla” for an undrafted rookie quarterback making his first start.
“There’s not really a lot out there to get,” Parsons said.
Overall, the Dallas defense did its part, even without massive production from Parsons. They held the Giants to 174 total yards. The Giants didn’t record a first down on 12 third-down attempts. It was another Cowboys rout.
Sometimes, according to defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, Parsons’ impact isn’t solely rooted in his production. Entering Week 10, Parsons had the second-highest double team rate in the NFL, according to NextGenStats. Being off the ball can limit double teams, but Parsons said it didn’t limit the attention he drew.
“People still fear me off the ball as much as I am on the ball,” Parsons said, “because of blitzes and things like that.”
The Cowboys finished with 26 pressures, including the four from Parsons, and five sacks against the Giants.
At the end of the day, Parsons said that’s what matters. The lack of production one week, he said, doesn’t frustrate him moving forward.
“I always say, I got next week. People act like I’m dead today and gone tomorrow,” Parsons said. “I get a great opportunity. I think that was one of three games where I didn’t have a sack. I think the production is there. My presence is felt. It’s getting to the point where these QBs are taking one read and running outside of the pocket, scared for their lives. So, I don’t think it’s anything about productionwise. I just think we’re doing a phenomenal job.
