Micah Parsons, a star linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys, made positive comments about his team’s playoff hopes after their Thanksgiving victory over the New York Giants. Following the 27-20 win, Parsons expressed confidence that the Cowboys could still make a push for the playoffs, despite their 5-7 record and the loss of their star quarterback, Dak Prescott, for the season. His remarks were hopeful and inspirational, bringing a sense of optimism to the team and its fans during a challenging stretch of the season.
However, Parsons’ comments received significant criticism from NFL analyst Stephen A. Smith, known for his blunt opinions, especially when it comes to the Cowboys. Appearing on ESPN’s “First Take” on November 29, Smith disagreed with Parsons’ optimism, stating that Dallas had “zero chance” of making the playoffs. He pointed to their seven losses and the number of teams ahead of them for a Wild Card spot as reasons why their postseason hopes were unrealistic. Smith also highlighted the Cowboys’ difficult remaining schedule, which includes games against teams like Cincinnati, Philadelphia, and Tampa Bay.
Parsons had made his original comments during a postgame interview after the Giants win, where he said, “To be honest, it’s really been why not us? Everybody counted us out.” He added that the team knew what it was capable of and believed in each player. Parsons emphasized the importance of overcoming external doubts and declared that the Cowboys would “turn it around and make a run.”
Despite the criticism from Smith, Parsons was firm in his belief that the Cowboys still had the potential to surprise people and make a late-season playoff push. He also responded to the negativity surrounding the team, mentioning that there had been “a lot of trash-talk” about their chances. However, he remained confident, stating that the team still had key players returning and would be ready for the challenge ahead.
Smith’s dismissal of the Cowboys’ chances was seen by some as part of the ongoing “trash-talk” Parsons had mentioned. Smith expressed doubt about Dallas’s ability to secure a Wild Card spot, given the current standings and tough competition from other teams. He stressed that, with the current state of the season and their schedule, it was unrealistic to expect the Cowboys to make the playoffs.
While Smith remains skeptical, other analysts like Jess Haynie have pointed out that there are still scenarios where the Cowboys could make the postseason. Haynie acknowledged that Dallas technically still has a chance to win the NFC East if they win every remaining game and if the Eagles lose out, although this scenario is highly improbable. Haynie also suggested that Dallas fans could benefit from rooting for AFC teams in upcoming games, as their wins could help the Cowboys’ chances.
Looking ahead, the Cowboys will face the Cincinnati Bengals on December 9, with their playoff hopes still hanging by a thread. Although making the playoffs seems unlikely, there are still some paths that could lead to a Wild Card spot, depending on how other teams perform. Cowboys fans remain hopeful, but it’s clear that a lot of external factors will need to align in their favor for Dallas to extend their season beyond the regular schedule.
