What kind of daring plan was this? By design, the Seahawks allowed Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons an open path to quarterback Geno Smith on Thursday night. The game — and Seattle’s season — were at stake.
Would you do the same on fourth-and-two at midfield and down by six with a minute and change left in the game? Probably not. As they say, hindsight always is a precise 20/20. But Parsons is one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. Speed rush is his thing. It took him all of 1.4 seconds to reach Smith and push him into an incompletion that hit near DeeJay Dallas‘ feet. Game, Cowboys.
And in the post-game at AT&T Stadium, Parsons was perplexed at the call. After all, this is the guy who “really” lives “for these moments.”
First, take another look. Cowboys fans can celebrate. Parsons hurry sealed a wild, 41-35 win. The Seahawks folks might want to divert their eyes as their team dropped to 6-6.
On 4th & 2, with just over a minute left in regulation, Micah Parsons pressured Geno Smith in 1.4 seconds. This was Parsons' league-leading 46th quick pressure of the season, 13 more than the next closest player.#SEAvsDAL | #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/KXRiTQPWaO
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) December 1, 2023
Smith confirmed the strategy. He was supposed to throw around Cowboys linebacker
Smith confirmed the pass protection (or lack thereof) was by design. Speaking to reporters after the game, he said the Seahawks right tackle “had to squeeze right there versus zero (Cowboys blitz), so he did the right thing. Micah (Parsons) came free. We knew that would possibly happen. Tried to get the ball around him and just wasn’t able to.”
Reporters told Parsons about what Smith said. The Cowboys linebacker was incredulous at the call. Parsons said he’d assumed the running back would stay back and try to swat him away from Smith. The Seahawks quarterback had been killing the Cowboys defense with his quick throws all evening.
“I feel like I was getting there pretty fast all game,” Parsons said. Geno was doing a great job. He was getting the ball out fast. That’s not something he had on film, where he was just quick game all game. When they did throw it deep, it was max protection and things like that.
“It was definitely some unchartered looks that I hadn’t seen on film. It’s definitely something to look at again. I think they left the [running] back on me [at the end]. I mean that’s not a good strategy either. That’s cool though.”
By playing on Thursday night, the Cowboys have a few extra days to catch their collective breaths. The Eagles are up next. The two teams played a classic in Philadelphia a month ago. Now, the Eagles head to AT&T Stadium for Sunday Night Football, Dec. 10. The schedule won’t get easier, with the Cowboys facing the Bills, Dolphins and Lions before they finish on the road against the Commanders.
They’ll need Micah Parsons in a big way for the stretch. Opposing teams aren’t going to leave him unblocked.
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