Parsons primed for revenge as he leads Packers’ charge against vulnerable Cowboys in Sunday night showdown
Micah Parsons is gearing up for a highly anticipated showdown on Sunday Night Football, a matchup he’s had circled on his calendar since his trade to the Green Bay Packers. This game marks his return to Dallas, where he faces the Cowboys, a team that opted not to invest in him. The storyline of revenge frames this contest, but Parsons’ impact on the field goes far beyond narrative; he’s been a relentless force against opposing offensive lines this season, and the Dallas offensive line is particularly susceptible right now.
Parsons Brings Prescott Down
As Parsons prepares for this critical game, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones must be feeling the pressure. Currently, Parsons leads the NFL with 17 pass rush wins and ranks second in quarterback pressures with 14. Remarkably, he managed this while being a part-time player in the first two weeks of the season. However, with the spotlight on him in primetime, there will be no limitations on his playing time.
Despite having only converted two of those pressures into sacks, Parsons has a proven track record that suggests he will start to capitalize on those opportunities. This is troubling news for Dak Prescott, who has found himself under siege with alarming frequency. The Cowboys’ offensive line currently holds the second-lowest pass-blocking grade in the league, trailing only the Rams. Prescott has faced pressure on an astonishing 37% of his dropbacks, even though he has only played against one team with a top-14 pass rush. Given that the Packers are among the top five teams for generating pressure, it is likely that they will disrupt Prescott early and often, with Parsons leading the charge.
A Golden Homecoming
Parsons isn’t the only player with ties to Texas making a homecoming this weekend. Former University of Texas standout Matthew Golden is also returning to the Lone Star State. After a subdued start to the season, Golden’s role expanded significantly last week due to an injury to teammate Jayden Reed. This increase in snap share and usage bodes well for him as he faces a vulnerable Cowboys secondary.
Dallas has been generous to opposing offenses, allowing a league-worst 288 passing yards per game. They have permitted teams like the Eagles, Giants, and Bears to effectively double their average yards per completion in their matchups. The Cowboys even gave Russell Wilson a boost in Week 2 and contributed to a resurgence for Caleb Williams last week.
In the past two weeks, five different receivers have surpassed the 40-yard mark against Dallas, which is encouraging news for Golden. He led the Packers in receiving yards during Week 3 against the Browns and ran routes on an impressive 84% of Jordan Love’s dropbacks.
All You Need is Love
As for Jordan Love, this game presents a prime opportunity for him to connect on deep passes against the leaky Dallas defense. The over on 38.5 yards for his longest completion is an enticing option. The Cowboys have been alarmingly susceptible to explosive plays, having allowed 11 completions on 15 attempts of 20 yards or more. This staggering 73% completion rate is nearly double the league average of 37% for such throws.
Love has already completed seven deep passes this season and boasts an impressive 84.3% completion percentage when he has time in the pocket. Golden is likely to be a key target for those deep shots, making the over on 20.5 yards for his longest reception another worthwhile consideration. Golden’s usage of go routes at a 27% frequency ranks him seventh in the NFL, further increasing his chances of making significant contributions in this game.
As the Packers prepare to face the Cowboys, all eyes will be on Parsons and Love to see if they can capitalize on this golden opportunity.
