As common, the Dallas Cowboys are already being questioned and in some severe bother, and we’re simply solely two weeks into the 2024 season. And there are causes for that. Final week, the Cowboys grew to become the first group in 56 years to permit greater than 44 factors in consecutive dwelling video games.
After shedding to the Inexperienced Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium final January, 48-32 (a deceptive rating that does not replicate the beating the Packers placed on them), their subsequent dwelling sport was additionally horrible, because the New Orleans Saints additionally pummeled them 44-19. Surprisingly, Dallas was a heavy favourite in each video games.
This 12 months they modified the defensive coordinator, letting Dan Quinn go to Washington and bringing again Mike Zimmer, former Vikings head coach and outdated acquaintance of the Texans followers. However issues are nonetheless not figuring out. This Sunday, Dallas hosts a determined Baltimore Ravenswho’re 0-2 and in determined mode to win.
Micah Parsons, the famous person for the Cowboys, is not mincing phrases after a tough efficiency by the protection towards the Saints final weekend. The Cowboys have been overrun by New Orleans, giving up 190 dashing yards whereas Derek Carr torched them for 243 passing yards on simply 11 completions. Now, as they put together to face Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens, Parsons is aware of they should step up huge time.
“All of us have to step up,” Parsons emphasised, chatting with the group’s have to bounce again. For Parsons, all of it begins with stopping the Ravens’ floor sport. “The mentality is to bounce again, cease this run and present individuals you can cease the run. It is positively a prove-it sport whenever you get a sport like this back-to-back,” he mentioned. The Cowboys protection must make an announcement, and that assertion begins with shutting down Baltimore’s run sport, giving them an opportunity to go after Jackson.
Lamar is a severe risk for Dallas protection
Dealing with Jackson, a quarterback Parsons respects as “in all probability the perfect dual-threat quarterback within the league and in historical past,” presents a severe problem for Dallas. Parsons, whereas praising Jackson’s accomplishments-two-time NFL MVP and Heisman Trophy winner-acknowledges how tough it is going to be to include him. “With Lamar, you at all times bought to discover a option to preserve him within the pocket. Do not let him get these further runs, preserve extending performs,” Parsons famous. “It is simple to say, nevertheless it’s exhausting to do.”
This matchup feels significantly essential after final week’s 44-19 loss to the Saints. The defeat left many within the Cowboys locker room pissed off, together with cornerback Trevon Diggs, who known as the efficiency “unacceptable.” Parsons shares that sense of urgency. He is targeted on holding himself and his teammates accountable, particularly as this 12 months’s group works to forge a brand new identification.
“The group this season is the latest and most various group I’ve ever been on, and we’re actually creating a brand new identification for ourselves,” Parsons defined. He is dedicated to pushing the group to give attention to the fundamentals and get again to their fundamentals. Parsons believes they’ll course-correct, however it’ll take self-discipline and all 11 gamers working in sync, particularly towards a group as harmful because the Ravens.