The Dallas Cowboys (10-4) have three games left in the regular season before the playoffs. In recent weeks, it's been noticed that the Cowboys aren't playing as well as they have.

Double-digit leads to Green Bay, New York (Giants) and Jacksonville, only to be given away in the second half. The exception being New York. Even still, there are a number of defensive deficiencies at the moment.

The loss of Johnathan Hankins hurts the run defense, just as both Anthony Brown and Jourdan Lewis hurt the pass defense.

While the Cowboys are fortunate to have players who can step up in big ways, they need to get back to basics in a huge area. I.E. Micah Parsons.

For all of last year, and much of the first half of this season, Parsons continued to be an all-around super weapon (for lack of a better word) linebacker. Playing inside, in the box, in the slot and of course on the edges.

Recent weeks have seen him play almost exclusively at edge. Limiting him to just one area and relying heavily on his ability to create pressure. He may definitely be their best pass rusher, but even Parsons doesn't really like him being pigeon held to one duty.

Especially due to the wear and tear.

Parsons, himself, has even talked about the differences of playing edge as opposed to linebacker. As well as the effect it has on his body.

“People don’t understand that trench warfare. I’m not gonna lie, when I was playing linebacker a whole lot last year, my body was way more fresh. There were some plays I wouldn’t get touched. When you’re on the line, you’re getting touched every play.”

(You can see the whole interview below)

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This week is the best case for Parsons. Leighton Vander Esch is out, creating a bigger hole at the run defense on the inside. Even with players like Damone Clark or potentially Jabril Cox getting extra snaps, the Dallas Cowboys need Parsons back.

Keeping him as pure edge rusher sounds like a way to get 13-18 sacks a year. Which is fantastic if that's all he was good for.

Parsons entered the NFL as an incredible athlete who could cover and stop the run. The Cowboys were just fortunate Dan Quinn found out he could also be the NFL's best pass rusher on top of it.

If the team is serious about a run and stopping the run of others, they need to put Micah back inside more.

Allow him to play spy, cover, blitz the A-gap and read the running back from the MIKE position.

Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports