Micah Parsons delivers a bold statement to Cowboys fans following dramatic Week 12 victory.
The Dallas Cowboys managed to avoid the trap of falling further behind in the draft race by securing an exhilarating win against the Washington Commanders. This victory came after a tough stretch, where the team had suffered five consecutive losses and was missing several of their top salary cap players. It was clear the Cowboys needed this win desperately, and despite some nerve-wracking moments in the final minutes, they pulled through, aided in part by a missed field goal from Washington kicker Austin Seibert.
NFL Network’s Jane Slater reported that there was a palpable sense of relief in the Cowboys’ locker room after the game. With the team facing criticism for quitting during blowout losses earlier in the season, Sunday’s win demonstrated that there was no sign of such an attitude. One player whose commitment was never in doubt was Micah Parsons, who turned in another dominant performance with two sacks, eight tackles, and three quarterback hits. Parsons, refusing to give up on the season, sent a strong message to Cowboys fans, reinforcing that he believes the team still has fight left in them.
While the Cowboys are still closer to a top-10 draft pick than a playoff berth, Parsons’ optimism isn’t entirely misplaced. The team has a relatively manageable schedule over the next four games, facing off against the struggling New York Giants on Thanksgiving, followed by matchups with the 4-7 Bengals, the 3-8 Panthers, and the 5-6 Buccaneers. While it’s certainly possible they could lose some of those games, there’s a legitimate chance they could win all four, especially if they continue to play with the same intensity they showed against Washington.
Cooper Rush’s performance against the Commanders was an improvement over previous weeks, as he took more downfield shots, even if some didn’t result in completions. Running back Rico Dowdle continued his strong form on the ground, and CeeDee Lamb was nearly unstoppable. On defense, Mike Zimmer’s unit has quietly played at a high level over the past two weeks, including their best performance of the season against Washington. The defense is also beginning to get healthier, with cornerbacks DaRon Bland and Jourdan Lewis making significant impacts.
While it’s still too early to talk about playoff hopes, this victory has at least lifted the gloom that had been hanging over the team during their losing streak. The next few weeks could give Cowboys fans some hope after all.
