ARLINGTON, Texas — Last season, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott led the NFL with 36 touchdown passes and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb led the league with 135 receptions.
The 2024 campaign is totally different. Prescott out with hamstring injuryNo other player has emerged as a consistent pass-catching threat outside of Lamb, and the offensive line has been plagued by inexperience and communication issues as rookie starters at left tackle (first-round pick Tyler Guyton) and center (first-round pick third round Cooper Beebe). All of that played a role in the Philadelphia Eagles scoring 20 of their 34 points in a 34-6 victory over the Cowboys in Week 10 on drives that began inside the Dallas 40-yard line. The Cowboys have turned the ball over five times in each of their last two home losses, becoming the second team in the last 40 seasons without a touchdown and five or more turnovers in consecutive home games, joining the 2006 Raiders. who finished 2-14.
With so much going wrong for the Cowboys on offense, running back Micah Parsons hopes he and the defense can pick out their offensive counterparts in the coming weeks.
“We had a great message in chapel this week. You have to be the light,” Parsons said after Sunday’s game. “Even when the other side is there, the light on offense doesn’t shine as bright. In the past, that offense has always shined brighter than us, and we needed their juice to get us up. We have to be the light on offense.” This time. Overall, I’m happy for these defensive guys, how they played. “You obviously want some plays back, but I’m happy with the direction we’re going.”
Parsons returned to action for the first time since suffering a sprained ankle in the second half of a Week 4 matchup against the New York Giants, and roared back with two sacks of Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts. His second sack forced a Hurts fumble that was recovered by third-round rookie linebacker Marist Liufau six yards from the end zone. The offense gained just one yard on its three plays before settling for a 23-yard field goal that cut the lead to 7-6 with 1:48 left in the first half.
“Be the light, you can’t let it get to you,” Parsons said. “Understand that, you know, our quarterback is out. Things aren’t always going to go the way you expect… It’s one of those years where, like I said, it’s a challenge, but we have to be the light.” for everyone.”
“The defense is out there throwing balls against a very good offense, getting turnovers,” Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush said. “They did their part. We just left them out to dry.”
While Parsons might be in a boot on Monday recovering from Sunday’s game, he felt great during the game, enjoying the adrenaline and energy of playing football once again.
“Honestly, it felt great,” Parsons said. “I felt like the energy on the sidelines was different, being back with the guys was different. You could tell you guys felt the energy I was bringing, but I just wanted to give the team some juice. For the most part, the defense played “It’s a pretty good game. Right now I am full of energy. “So I’m probably fine, but I could be in a boot tomorrow.”
Sophomore linebacker DeMarvion Overshown thrived with Parsons playing in front of him on Sunday, tying his career high for tackles in a single game with 11, the most of any Eagle or Cowboy on Sunday, and setting a career-high. in catches with two. Pro Bowl cornerback Trevon Diggs was also helped by the added pressure Parsons produced when he caught the only pass thrown his way in the end zone for an interception that ended an Eagles drive that seemed destined for seven points. .
“That’s just one aspect of having our guy back. We know [Parsons] “It’s going to get a lot of attention wherever they put it,” Overshown said. “It gives guys like me a chance to make some plays. I was able to take advantage of some of them. We got one of our guys back, and you can tell he definitely lit a fire under everyone. It’s more about coming at us together.” .
However, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones is looking for much better play across the board from the roster outside of Parsons that he assembled during his all-in offseason.
“Well, we’re going to play better than we’re playing right now,” Jones said Sunday. “I don’t know if there are answers outside the organization, but we’re going to have to play better at every position than we played tonight. It was good to have Parsons back tonight. I thought it gave us a boost. Of course, it’s It’s wonderful to have him on the field, but you know one player can’t do it.”
The Cowboys were 2-2 when Parsons suffered his injury. And although he had a productive performance, Dallas is now 3-6. How does a three-time All-Pro player who has only known three 12-win seasons before this year process where the Cowboys will be in 2024?
“Be the light, even when it’s dark,” Parsons said. “Light up, brother. Be the light.”
