Micah Parsons hopes Dallas Cowboys' defense holds teams under 10 points
Micah Parsons has high hopes for the Dallas defense entering 2023. And if the team can accomplish this feat most games, the Cowboys will be an incredibly tough team to beat.
Parsons was asked for his individual and team goals for the upcoming NFL season while joining The Pivot Podcast. The star linebacker didn’t really get into the individual goals, but he did outline what he wants the Cowboys defense to accomplish this year.
“I’m trying to be on that Ray Lewis defense. I’m trying to hold teams under 10 points,” Parsons said. “(If opponents) don’t score 10 points, we win the game. … We gotta hold teams under 10 points.”
That would be quite a significant improvement from last season. Dallas surrendered a little over 20 points per game during the 2022 season. The team finished with a 12-5 record.
The Cowboys held four opponents to 10 points or fewer during the 2022 season, posting a perfect 4-0 record in those contests. But Parsons thought the defense could’ve been even better last fall.
“I think there was another level that we could’ve tapped in,” Parsons said. “We missed interceptions. We missed opportunities to get the ball back to our offense. They probably could’ve capitalized.”
Micah Parsons thriving on disrespect for Cowboys
As if Parsons’ 10-points-per-game goal isn’t fueling isn’t enough, he’s also hanging onto the receipts. The two-time Pro Bowler says he’s keeping tabs on all the disrespect the team is receiving this year.
“All the disrespect? Bro, I bookmarked everything everyone said,” said Parsons. “I just saved it all and said, ‘You know what? This is how they see us? Bet.’
“We the best team in the NFC. Like, how dare you say, in front of me, this team is the best in the NFC.”
Because the 2022 season ended in disappointment (again), Dallas overhauled its coaching staff in the offseason. The organization retained head coach Mike McCarthy, who will also be the offensive play-caller this year.
This is a team that has performed well in the regular season but fallen short in the playoffs. Team owner Jerry Jones wants that to change. So, too, does Parsons.
“I’ve only been here two years and I’m tired of watching,” Parsons said, via Jon Machota of The Athletic. “I feel like each year I’ve been here, I had a team that’s capable. I didn’t walk into a bad organization with bad talent. My first year, we lost to the (San Francisco) 49ers because we were undisciplined. We had so many penalties. Offsides and we were about to get the ball back. We got a defensive holding on the d-lineman. That’s non-football. That’s not football related.
“We missed our opportunities last year with the dropped picks and stuff. I don’t even blame the offense, bro. Self-reflection? People don’t want to do that. It’s so easy to blame (someone else). What didn’t I do?”