Micah Parsons sends down-to-earth message to Cowboys ahead of Week 18
Dallas Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons isn't trying to make more out of the team's season finale against the Washington Commanders. With it being the final game of the season, and it being on the road, Parsons fielded a very understandable question about it potentially being a confidence-booster just ahead of the postseason, where they […]
Dallas Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons isn't trying to make more out of the team's season finale against the Washington Commanders.
With it being the final game of the season, and it being on the road, Parsons fielded a very understandable question about it potentially being a confidence-booster just ahead of the postseason, where they could ultimately go on the road on path to the Super Bowl even though a win would secure them home-field advantage through the first two rounds.
"I feel like confidence at this point, it shouldn't even be about confidence, everyone should just know to go out there and do their job," a down-to-earth Parsons told reporters. "This is your job, we are a team, we need to go out there and play together and be as one and go out there and get a win that we should win. I think that's what it's about. I don't even think it should be about confidence. We are a week away from playoffs."
A lot has been made about the Cowboys being on an upward trajectory as they're set to make the postseason for the third consecutive year, a first since the Super Bowl days.
And although Parsons is only in Year 3 of his already-incredible career, he's become a little bit of a battle-tested and hardened veteran by now. He's fallen in the playoffs twice in heartbreaking defeats. He's heard it all about getting his career started in epic fashion. At this point, he seems to be exhausted about hearing about what's next and instead just cares about winning.
This season specifically, the Cowboys have been forced to talk about learning and growing from losses in big spots, particularly when on the road, where all of their losses have stemmed from this season.
"I think I'm tired of learning and growing," Parsons said. "It should just be about dominating and playing great football."
You've got to love Parsons' message. That's the kind of mentality a Super Bowl contender team should have. A game versus the Commanders in Week 18 should be a win for Dallas. One team is the second seed in the NFC while the other is trending toward picking two overall in next year's NFL Draft. There's no excuse next Sunday, especially if the Cowboys are approaching it as a playoff week, like Mike McCarthy suggested on Monday.
With that in mind, why would a win over Washington boost the confidence of a squad aiming to bring down the San Francisco 49ers down the road en route to a Super Bowl? Parsons' honesty quickly squashes the notion that the season finale will move the needle for this team. It simply shouldn't.
That being said, the Cowboys obviously can't look past the Commanders. Unlike this time last year when Dallas had a puncher's chance to steal the NFC East at the last second, this time it's right in front of them. Win and take the division title. Motivation couldn't be any higher in Week 18.
