Micah Parsons’ message to Dak Prescott feels like a warning, and Cowboys QB needs help not only from teammates
The Dallas Cowboys have a talent mismatch against the Green Bay Packers. And Micah Parsons’ message to Dak Prescott makes that a scary thing.
Everyone is talking about Micah Parsons taking on the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday’s Week 4 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. It should be no surprise. When it comes to the game’s biggest stars like Parsons facing their former teams—particularly when relationships go sour—the storyline sells itself.
And if there’s one thing we’ve learned about Parsons is he isn’t one to shy away from providing a good quote. But even though he’ll play as hungry as ever for getting a sack, he knows there will be mixed feelings on the field.
“It’s going to be painful,” Parsons told the AP when asked about potentially sacking Prescott. “That’s my guy. He was always like a good mentor for me. But you know how it is. He always told me if I ever faced him that it’ll be a great matchup, so I’m excited to see what Sunday brings itself.”
The truth is Parsons’ message feels like a warning, as he offered it in a matter-of-fact tone. Unfortunately for Cowboys Nation, it will be a painful experience for fans watching, too. At least if Prescott doesn’t receive the help he desperately needs in this ballgame. Let’s break it down.
Cowboys have a talent problem in pass protection
There’s a few things we know about the Cowboys offense three weeks into the season:
- Prescott is playing some of the best football he’s ever played in his NFL career.
- He will, however, be down his primary target in CeeDee Lamb, who is expected to miss three to four weeks according to ESPN.
- He will also be playing with two backup interior offensive linemen and two tackles that rank among the NFL’s worst in pass protection.
Ironically, the Cowboys’ biggest strength on offense is how their quarterback is playing and yet pass blocking—graded the second-worst in the league by PFF—is their top concern. That will matter tremendously going up against the Packers, who boast one of the best pass rushes in football since Parsons’ arrival.
The Packers have the sixth-highest pressure rate in the NFL when rushing four and sixth-best overall, per Sports Info Solutions. The Cowboys own the second worst pass blocking grade by PFF headed into Week 4. That’s largely because offensive tackles Tyler Guyton and Terence Steele have been dominated in pass blocking situations. And now, the Cowboys are down two starting interior linemen.
That’s a lot of weaknesses the Packers can exploit, especially with Parsons. As Cowboys fans are well aware, he can line up anywhere in the defensive line to exploit mismatches. This time he’s not in need to pick the best item in the menu. He’s going for the all-you-can-eat buffet.
Prescott needs Cowboys coaches to step up
Talent-wise, this is an obvious mismatch. Parsons and the Packers defense should be able to consistently beat the Cowboys’ pass protection. This is where head coach Brian Schottenheimer and Klayton Adams come in.
Scheming protection is no easy job. But I expect we’ll see a lot of answers from the Cowboys coaching staff to give this team a chance. Maybe it will be a lot of max protect looks in early downs to take shots downfield. Chipping from tight ends and running backs. Empty formations to give Prescott quick targets. Sprintouts—where the quarterback and OL essentially move the pocket once the ball is snapped—are controversial but the Cowboys might be forced to use some.
