Round 1 of Micah Parsons vs. the Dallas Cowboys has concluded. To the dismay of various fans, a thrilling showdown ended in a 40-40 draw Sunday night at AT&T Stadium.
That doesn’t mean the game’s participants went home quietly. Parsons spoke to reporters after Cowboys-Packers, breaking down what he thought about facing Dak Prescott, whether he was emotional about returning and more.
Prescott and Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer also shared some thoughts. See what they had to say below:
Micah Parsons
Cowboys
On the emotional aspect of facing the Cowboys for the first time:
Parsons: “Honestly, I think, all in all, the emotions for me, being in Dallas went away the moment they traded me…I didn’t even get to talk to my owner, the person that drafted me. I found out through my agent. So, to me, that emotion side was pointless because the same way he called me into his office, as a man, he couldn’t tell me as a man. So, to me that emotion side was gone, it is more a matter of a respect factor at this point.”
More on the emotional aspect…
Parsons: “For me, it was only one thing for me, and I told you that from the beginning. All I know is go. So, from the snap of that football, it was just about killing 4. And now it’s on to whoever we’ve got up and killing that opponent. I just don’t think we did a great job today.”
On how it feels to have the game end in a tie…
Parsons: “I’m not going to lie. I’m pissed off, you know. I’m very disappointed overall how we performed. I even took Jordan to the side and said ‘Thank you for having my back today.’ That’s why it is so pivotal to play complementary football. Today, Jordan played like the player he was, and we let him down.”
On rushing Dak in overtime and catching him from behind…
Parsons: “It’s just all about not letting my teammates down. Going 100 percent every play. I owe it to every person in the organization and every person in that locker room to give my absolute best every time. So, I’m here at this podium because I am supposed to make that play. Not because it’s like, ‘Oh my God, he made that play.’ I’m supposed to make that play. I’m supposed to help our defense; that’s the reason I was brought here. Making plays is what I am supposed to do. Taking over games is what I am supposed to do. I don’t think I should be rewarded for that play. That’s the reason I am here.”
On Dak’s play…
Parsons: “You go watch that all-22, and you look how precise No. 4 looks tonight. Just getting to his throws, getting to his receivers, the timing. I think he played a better game than we played defense. So, shout out to Dak. I told him, ‘You go watch that film. You’re lucky. If you weren’t on…it would have been a long day.’ But he played a hell of a game.”
On how he thinks he played personally…
Parsons: “I mean, I don’t want to talk about myself. Just watch the film and you let me know how I played.”
On if he feels relief with the game behind him…
Parsons: “Nah, because we have 14 games and we have to figure out how we can not play with 40 points again. To me, we are coming off a win, and last week was a fluke. I just don’t think we have put our best film out. We just have to get better and fix some little things and that way, when we get off this bye, we put a great performance out.”
On whether the Cowboys changed anything offensively during the game…
Parsons: “I think we missed [Devonte Wyatt], just that depth and that dominant player that he his. His energy is so contagious. I think he is underlooked in his value to this team. He is telling me he is going to get healthy. Hopefully he is back soon. You lose a great player like that, and it kinda stings.”
On what it was like to play against the Cowboys and if there was a lot of conversation during the game…
Parsons: “Nah, bro, I don’t got no conversation. I really had no rap. I mean, I felt like I was giving it my best shot and they gave me their best shot, and we just came out to a draw. It was a 12-round fight on both sides. I think both sides could have played better.”
On trading jerseys with Trevon Diggs…
Parsons: “I was like, without a doubt, that I was going to give him my jersey…That’s my brother for life. He knows that. I love him beyond football. I love him for the person he is. So, we’re forever locked in, and we are going to be in together.”
Dak Prescott
On slowing down Micah Parsons…
Prescott: “It goes back to the plan I told you guys on Thursday that it’ll be all hands on deck, whether it be the tight ends, whether it be the running backs. Honestly, there were 1-on-1s and those tackles did their job. Stepped up and did what they needed to do, kept him off, and kept him away from me. I’m playing against a time clock, whether it’s Micah or the rest of those guys. They’ve got a great front out there. We played on time and got the ball out. Receivers got to their spots that allowed me to play on time. I guess they gave him half a sack on that last one.”
On if he felt Parsons defending him…
Prescott: “I’m sure I felt him if I moved up. That’s just playing the game and trusting what you feel and understanding the move. It’s not clicking in my head that it’s Micah. What’s clicking in my head is the coverage and the reads and where I need to go with the ball. He actually told me after the game, when I watch the film that I’m lucky. Once again, it’s not just me. Credit to the offensive line, credit to the tight ends, running backs, everyone. That whole pass rush of having all hands on deck. Lastly, credit to the receivers and making sure they’re hitting attempts and their routes within the right time clock so we can play fast.”
Brian Schottenheimer
On what did they do to plan for Micah Parsons…
Schottenheimer: “Yeah, I’m not gonna share with you our Micah plan. What a great player. I hate I didn’t see him. Micah, if you’re listening, I know you probably are, I love you brother. What a great player, man. But yeah, I’m not gonna. We’ve got other Micahs, and I hope to see Micah again. I hope we see him down the line here again in January.”
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