Micah Parsons on opponents planning around him: 'It's a compliment'

Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons was hoping to be the one eating the turkey leg on Thanksgiving day as his team took down the Commanders 45-10 on Thursday. Unfortunately, due to the Washington offense’s diligence, and DaRon Bland‘s historic feat, the former Penn State star wasn’t the one chowing down post-game. That honor went to Bland and quarterback Dak Prescott.

On Friday, former Cowboys offensive lineman Brian Baldinger posted a clip of his analysis from Thursday’s game, explaining how Washington focused on keeping Parsons contained. The plan backfired, however, as Parsons’ teammates hit Sam Howell instead.

“The center, the guard, the running back, all coming at him, trying to slow him down,” Baldinger said. “Every week, it’s a different game plan. If you leave him singled up, he’s going to win. You watch him out here, he draws so much attention on every single play.”

Parsons responded to the former Cowboy’s analysis on X, saying: “It (gets worse and worse). It’s a compliment! The lions is feared!! Respectfully”

😂😂😂 it’s get worst and worst !! It’s a compliment! The lion is feared!! Respectfully https://t.co/1ngOW1XT8O

— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) November 24, 2023

Even with the Commanders’ game plan against Parsons, the former first-round draft pick still tallied a sack and a half in the dominant victory that pushed Dallas to 8-3 on the year. He also had a tackle for loss.

So far this season, “the lion” has 11.5 sacks and six tackles for loss. He’s just two sacks behind his career-high from the 2022 season and there are still six games remaining in the regular season.

Parsons joins Reggie White, Dwight Freeney in NFL record book

Reaching 11 sacks this season, Parsons joined NFL legends Dwight Freeney and Reggie White as players with 11+ sacks in each of their first three seasons in the league. He made history and he was equally elated on Thursday for Bland’s new record.

“So much greatness on this team!!,” Parsons posted on X. “I’m so thankful to be apart of this journey with these guys man!! Happy thanksgiving man!!”

Bland made NFL history on Thanksgiving Day by running back his fifth pick-six of the season in the waning minutes of the win against the Washington Commanders. Already leading 38-10, Bland cut off his receiver, picked off Commanders quarterback Sam Howell and ran the ball back for a touchdown to put the Cowboys up 45-10.

The Cowboys’ leader in interceptions last season with five, Bland is now the first player in NFL history to notch five pick-sixes in a single season, surpassing the record he tied just last week. He also has more touchdowns this season than all but 13 of the league’s top receivers, including most of his own teammates – except for CeeDee Lamb.