The season is young, but the Cowboys are the team of the moment. At this rate, the chief architect of their success, Micah Parsons, could accomplish a feat not seen in the NFL since 1986.
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To this day, former Giants fullback Lawrence Taylor is considered the best defensive player in history. In 1986 he was voted the NFL’s Most Valuable Player. Since then, no defensive player has inherited that honor.
At the risk of blaspheming in the temple of legends, we see Parsons go today and we have a hard time convincing ourselves that he isn’t following in Taylor’s footsteps.
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It’s obviously impossible to hand out awards after just two games. The fact remains that Parsons is, for now, none other than the Secretary of Defense.
A catalyst
The Cowboys have been pulverizing the competition in recent weeks, having scored 70 points and allowed just 10. Of course, we have to appreciate Dak Prescott’s performance and that of the offense, but the best player on the field isn’t the quarterback.
Dak Prescott Getty Images via AFP
Parsons is just a horror. The Cowboys drafted him in 2021 with the goal of making him their inside linebacker. To fill a few gaps, they moved him to the outside, where he has since murdered opposing quarterbacks at will and ruined offensive game plans.
This season he can still play and dominate both positions. At the end of the defensive front, however, he is unparalleled. In Week 1 against the Giants, he had a sack and applied pressure six times, which is huge.
Last week, he continued his work of mass destruction with two sacks, three tackles for loss and a pass knockdown, as well as forcing a fumble and recovering the ball himself. A slipper with that?
Dominant defense
Zach Wilson got a taste of Micah Parsons’ medicine during the second week of activity. Getty Images via AFP
Even if Parsons doesn’t get to the quarterback, the entire offense has to be on guard. Because he applies pressure from both inside and outside, he can act brutally from anywhere. Even if he doesn’t get a sack, he forces opposing quarterbacks to commit too quickly.
Result ? The Cowboys already have five interceptions and seven turnovers, both league highs.
Additionally, Dallas has ranked first in the NFL in turnovers caused over the last two seasons. If they do it again this year, it would be the first time since the Steelers from 1972 to 1974 that a team has led the category for three straight seasons. That’s not unusual, and Parsons is a multiplier in terms of the strengths of this defensive unit.
Tough job
Parsons may play like a god, but the feat Lawrence Taylor achieved 37 years ago will not be easily repeated.
First, he needs to maintain this incredible pace, which isn’t guaranteed, especially when the Cowboys face more credible opponents. We’ll have a better idea against the 49ers in two weeks.
Second, he fights against an overly positive bias toward quarterbacks. The last 10 Most Valuable Player winners (and 15 of the last 16) played in this position. In history, of the 57 total players elected, only two played on defense, Lawrence Taylor in 1986 and tackle Alan Page in 1971.
In an age where everything is designed to favor the offense, there is no rule that will slow Micah Parsons down. It would be something wonderful if such a monster were to insult attacking football with the highest individual honor.
WEEK 3
THURSDAY
MY CHOICE
- NY Giants at San Francisco 49ERS
SUNDAY
MY DECISIONS
- Indianapolis at Baltimore (1 p.m.) RAVENS
- Tennessee at Cleveland (1 p.m.) TITANS
- Atlanta at Detroit (1 p.m.) LIONS
- New Orleans at Green Bay (1 p.m.) SAINTS
- Houston to Jacksonville (1 p.m.) JAGUARS
- Denver to Miami (1 p.m.) DOLPHINS
- LA Chargers at Minnesota (1 p.m.) CHARGER
- New England at NY Jets (1 p.m.) PATRIOTS
- Buffalo at Washington (1 p.m.) BILLS
- Caroline in Seattle (4:05 p.m.) SEAHAWKS
- Dallas, Arizona (4:25 p.m.) COWBOYS
- Chicago at Kansas City (4:25 p.m.) Chiefs
- Pittsburgh at Las Vegas (8:20 p.m.) STAHLER
MONDAY
MY DECISIONS
- Philadelphia at Tampa Bay (7:15 p.m.) EAGLE
- LA Rams at Cincinnati (8:15 p.m.) BENGAL
LAST WEEK’S RESULTS : 10 in 16 (62.5 %)
OVERALL THIS SEASON : 19 in 32 (59.4 %)
THE CHOICES OF NEWSPAPER
Indianapolis Colts (1-1) v. Baltimore Ravens (2-0)
BALANCED ATTACK
Lamar Jackson and the Ravens are undefeated in their first two games. Getty Images via AFP
The Colts have played anything but ugly football in their first two games. However, they didn’t face a physical team like the Ravens. Even though Baltimore’s aerial game is more open than before, the Ravens still have an outstanding average of 144 yards on the ground to start the season. The attack is balanced and the threat can come from anywhere. If quarterback Anthony Richardson remains on the sidelines because of his concussion, the Colts will quickly become predictable.
Tennessee Titans (1-1) v. Cleveland Browns (1-1)
WATSON TORN
Deshaun Watson is completing just 55% of his passes this season. Getty Images via AFP
The Titans are one of the worst teams in the passing game, allowing 281 yards per game. It’s time for Deshaun Watson to find his magic in the face of a generous defense. The problem is that he will be without star running back Nick Chubb, who suffered a serious knee injury. The Browns pivot is showing more and more signs of frustration and impatience. The Titans are not a great team, but they are well led by Mike Vrabel.
Atlanta Falcons (2:0) v. Detroit Lions (1-1)
A GREAT SURPRISE
The tandem of Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier is impressive for the Falcons. Getty Images via AFP
The Falcons are one of the nice surprises of this start to the journey. However, the defense will face its biggest test of the season against the Lions, who can score consistently. The Lions’ defense still has question marks, particularly with the loss of vocal safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. However, she held her first two opponents to fewer than 100 rushing yards. And strictly speaking, the hawks inevitably become too obsessed with race.
New Orleans Saints (2:0) v. Green Bay Packers (1-1)
DEFENSE IN CONTROL
The Saints defense with Tyrann Mathieu cannot be forced. Getty Images via AFP
Are we not talking enough about the Saints defense? This unit has only given up one touchdown this season. Going back to last season, the same defense didn’t allow more than 21 points in 10 straight games. This will therefore be the biggest test for Packers quarterback Jordan Love, who has six touchdown passes. He’s playing pretty well, but when things heated up in the fourth quarter against the Falcons on Sunday, he didn’t complete any of his six passes. It’s the job that comes in.
Houston Texans (0-2) v. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1)
SMALL STEPS FOR STROUD
Despite two setbacks, rookie quarterback CJ Stroud is making progress. Getty Images via AFP
The Texans are 0-2, which isn’t too confusing, but it should be noted that the rookie quarterback CJ Stroud I’m fine. Last Sunday, he rushed for 384 yards despite four starters on the offensive line being injured and the ground game coming to naught as a result. The Jaguars’ offense was stymied by the Chiefs, but Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne, Evan Engram and Calvin Ridley should have fun against the Texans’ struggling third line.
Denver Broncos (0-2) vs. Miami Dolphins (2-0)
A deep hole
Russell Wilson is constantly being hunted this season. Getty Images via AFP
The Broncos are all crooked! Even as their offense finally seems to show signs of life, it’s the defense that’s crumbling. The team has moved from 12th last year against the pass to 21st this season. If the Broncos fall to 0-3, the hole will be too deep to climb out of. Russell Wilson gets hit again and the Dolphins defense is third in the NFL under pressure. My supply of hope for Denver is depleting faster than my refrigerator two teenagers ago.
Los Angeles Chargers (0-2) v. Minnesota Vikings (0-2)
Strange chargers…
Head coach Brandon Staley won’t have much wiggle room in the coming weeks. Getty Images via AFP
On Sunday, Justin Herbert threw for over 300 yards with two touchdown passes, the Chargers had no turnovers and held Derrick Henry to fewer than 100 yards. But they found another way to lose. There are clearly supernatural forces working against them. These forces are not the Vikings, who play Funny Video with seven turnovers against them. They lost both games by one possession. Quite the opposite to last year!
New England Patriots (0-2) vs. New York Jets (1-1)
A BLACK SERIES
Zach Wilson’s life is often in danger against the Patriots. Photo Getty Images via AFP
There are few certainties in the NFL and you have to seize them when they come. One is that the Jets are pathetic against the Patriots with 14 straight losses. You will rightly answer that the past is no guarantee of the future. I would also rightly respond that the Jets have a better chance of solving a scourge like world hunger with Zach Wilson than with Bill Belichick’s defense. The defense will keep the Jets in contention, but Wilson will shut them down.
Buffalo Bills (1-1) v. Washington Commanders (2-0)
THE REAL INVOICES
The Bills’ offense is more diverse with James Cook. Getty Images via AFP
The Bills who played the Raiders on Sunday are certainly closer to the real Bills than the ones beaten by the Jets. Finally, Josh Allen took a deep breath and his average of just six yards in the air per pass attempt shows that wisdom is not forbidden to him. We also have to applaud the fact that the Bills ran the ball 35 times, including 17 times with James Cook. The key is balance. With Damien Harris and Latavius Murray there is a good trio up for grabs.
Carolina Panthers (0-2) vs. Seattle Seahawks (1-1)
THE RETURN OF DALTON
Andy Dalton is on his fifth team in the last five seasons. Getty Images via AFP
After two games, the Panthers are playing as expected on defense but have lost linebacker Shaq Thompson. The attack remains neutral. Frank Reich’s team scored just two offensive touchdowns, including one at the very end of the game against the Saints in a losing cause. Bryce Young is only completing 59% of his passes and is injured here, while drifter Andy Dalton takes over. The Seahawks, for their part, have regained their offensive explosiveness, but the defense continues to struggle.
Dallas Cowboys (2:0) v. Arizona Cardinals (0-2)
ANOTHER MASSACRE
Receiver CeeDee Lamb is on fire for the Cowboys offense. Getty Images via AFP
So far, the Cowboys have mistreated their poor rivals. This inhumane carnage is in danger of continuing against the Cardinals, even without the services of cornerback Trevon Diggs, who is finished for the year. Defensively, the Cards would benefit from relegation to the second division. Unfortunately for them, not all football is the same and they will have no escape on the field against the Cowboys. Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and Tony Pollard will glorify their stats.
Chicago Bears (0-2) v. Kansas City Chiefs (1-1)
FIELDS UNDER THE MAGNIFICATION
The quality of Justin Fields’ play raises doubts in Chicago. Getty Images via AFP
Bears quarterback Justin Fields said this week he needs to stop thinking about offensive concepts and play more freely. Loose translation: He’ll run 16 times for 178 yards against the Chiefs, but there’s no guarantee he’ll attempt more than 12 passes or that he’ll be more accurate. When he’s running, the Bears’ offense can be dangerous to a certain extent, but the one-dimensional team will quickly realize its limitations. The Chiefs offense is slow to get going, but don’t wake the sleeping giant…
Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) v. Las Vegas Raiders (1-1)
MISSING ATTACKS
Running back Najee Harris is not the centerpiece of the Steelers’ offense early in the season. Getty Images via AFP
The Raiders have scored just 27 points in two games and the offense is starving despite solid players like Davante Adams and Josh Jacobs. The Steelers bounced back Monday, but their offense scored just two touchdowns, the same number as their defense. This formula doesn’t exactly last forever when it comes to productivity. Najee Harris has only 16 runs and the Steelers have only 31 in two games, which is uncharacteristic of their habits. It smells like good old racing.
Philadelphia Eagles (2:0) v. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)
BACK TO EARTH
Baker Mayfield will face a tough challenge against the Eagles front line. Getty Images via AFP
The Buccaneers are playing surprisingly well. Baker Mayfield surprises with impressive third downs (20 for 23, 201 yards, three touchdowns). The defensive front contributed eight sacks. The rebuilding offensive line only allowed one sack. However, we still have the impression that everything is held together with a pin. We will know more against the best defense and the best offense in the league. The Eagles are not in good shape offensively, but they dominate on the front line.
Los Angeles Rams (1-1) v. Cincinnati Bengals (0-2)
Another false start
Joe Burrow gets hit hard. Getty Images via AFP
This is Joe Burrow’s fourth season in the NFL and his record in the first two games of each season is one win and seven losses. In short, he got used to false starts. This start to the season is his worst. According to CBS, he failed to complete any of his 12 pass attempts through the air for 15 yards or more. His injury is bothering him so much that his presence against the Rams is uncertain. We’re going to bet here that he’ll play and get his act together, but that’s a lot of ifs…