ARLINGTON (Texas) — Brock Wright’s eyes were on the end zone. He thought the tight end was about to give it. Detroit Lions a fourth-quarter lead.
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons A different idea was conceived.
Wright was 5 feet behind Parsons when Parsons arrived at the 1. Parsons weaved through traffic, reaching 20.41 mph according to NFL Next Gen Stats. He then collared Wright at his 2-yard line and brought Wright down at the 1. Although it appeared that Wright might have scored, replays later revealed that he was not.
The next play will see the Lions running back Jamaal Williams He was a linebacker when he lost his first fumble of the season. Anthony Barr Picking up the ball to get the crucial takeaway from a game that has turned into a 24-6 Cowboys win.
“I mean, I tell people I’m going to be tired, but you’re going to be more tired than me because I’m never going to stop,” Parsons said. “And I practice that way. This is how I work. Just being relentless, understanding that anything can happen on the field.”
Parsons’ play symbolizes what the Cowboys’ defense has become in 2022:
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One unit that is not willing to give up; the Cowboys gave up 19 points only once.
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They are a unit that can rush passers as well as anyone in the league. They have 29 sacks through seven games, which is the most Cowboys had since 1987 (34).
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They are a unit that can steal the ball; they have had 11 turnovers in their last five games.
The Cowboys didn’t allow a touchdown this season for the first-time in their history. This held the Lions, who came into the game as the No. 2nd-half field goals, and the third highest scoring offense in NFL (28 points per contest).
This was one week after the Cowboys allowed 2 touchdowns in a game, the first time this season. 26-17 loss The Philadelphia Eagles. The next day, defensive coordinator Dan Quinn used the term “pissed off” nine times in his weekly news conference.
If this is what “pissed off” leads to, opponents better watch out.
“Like they say,” said defensive end Sam WilliamsHe was the first rookie to have two sacks and had a forced fumble as well as a fumble recovery in one game. Nick Bosa in 2019, “you play with the bull, you get the horns.”
Quinn actually stated to his defenders that Shark Week was happening.
“Every day we saw sharks,” Parsons said.
The blood was still in the water, so they circled.
“Sometimes you get one of them,” Parsons said. “And sometimes they attack in packs. It’s just like that.”
Cornerback was the first to bite Trevon Diggs’ interception of a deep pass from quarterback Jared Goff For wide receivers Josh Reynolds on the first drive in the third quarter. That became the Cowboys’ first run back Ezekiel Elliott’s two touchdown runs for a 10-6 lead.
“They’re playing into my game,” Diggs said. “I want the ball to go up, especially the deep ball. I feel like that’s when I’m at my best.”
The next takeaway was Barr’s recovery after an apparent punch free from defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence At the Dallas goalline. Although the Cowboys didn’t convert that into points they were able avoid a deficit by stopping the Detroit touchdown. Cornerbacks were on hand for the Cowboys’ next drive. Jourdan Lewis A diving intercept of a Goff throw was made to the receiver Tom Kennedy. Unfortunately, Lewis was not lost for the season With a midfoot injury during takeaway.
Fortunately, the Cowboys turned that into Elliott’s second touchdown and a 17-6 lead.
“When those guys go out there and get turnovers, it’s important for us to make sure we get points out of that,” quarterback Dak Prescott said. “That’s how you win games, and it’s also how you blow them away, honestly. This whole group, how hungry they are and the way that they attack is something I’ve seen in training camp and something I’ve seen in these last five weeks.”
Williams followed suit, stripping Goff with 2:20 left to play. Parsons received his first sack/fumble the next drive with defensive ends. Dorance Armstrong Recovering the ball.
The Cowboys’ five takeaways were the most they have had in a half since they had five in the first half against the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVII.
“I don’t know that I’ve seen a defense that is influencing the team any more than this one has, even the very best ones,” owner and general manager Jerry Jones said. “Now there’s a high skill level out there. There’s a high competence level. They’re well-coached. It’s a mix of some veterans, a lot of young players. They’re getting more confidence and, frankly, getting better technically every game.”