'Micah is a Freak Show!' Packers Coach Playoff Scouting Report on Dallas Cowboys' Parsons
As the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers get set to meet again in the playoffs, this time in the NFC Wildcard, both teams know the other well.
While the Cowboys' offense and play-caller Mike McCarthy will get much of the pregame attention, and rightfully so, as they lead the league in points per game at 29.9, Packers coach Matt LaFleur knows they have their hands full facing the Dallas defense ... and specifically star edge rusher Micah Parsons.
“Micah is a freak show, a game-wrecker,” LaFleur said. “You better know where he’s at. And they do such a great job of moving him around. He can line up on the edge, he can line up at linebacker, 3-technique, at the ‘shade.’ They use multiple personnel groupings."
Despite his omission from the NFLPA All-Pro Team this season, Parsons is still recognized as one of the fiercest edge rushers in the NFL. In his first season as a full-time edge rusher for the Cowboys, Parsons is tied for seventh in sacks with 14 while leading the league in quarterback pressures per Pro Football Focus.
According to ESPN's pass rush win rate, Parsons ranks first at 35 percent despite facing double teams at the same percentage of his snaps, which is the highest clip among all edge rushers.
Facing a Packers offense that features a first-year starting quarterback in Jordan Love, who, despite having to follow up Aaron Rodgers, has managed to hold his own, the Cowboys will need a big day from Parsons and their front-seven.
Love ranks second behind only the Cowboys' Dak Prescott with 32 passing touchdowns while having thrown for 4,159 yards and just 11 interceptions.
“It’s not only Micah,” LaFleur said. “I think just the games they do upfront. They’ve got multiple people who can get after the quarterback. Just watching the tape, it’s carnage in front of the quarterback all the time. All those guys play relentless. They play with great motors, and that’s a prerequisite for being a great pass rusher.”
The Cowboys will undoubtedly rely on their full complement of pass-rushers as they try to disrupt Love's timing and rhythm in the passing game. Which, based on an advanced statistic, the Cowboys seem capable of doing.
Per a DallasCowboys.com note, the Cowboys' defense is currently averaging a time to pressure of 2.44 seconds, faster than Love's average time to throw of 2.77 seconds. The Cowboys have racked up 46 total sacks this season, which ranks 14th in the league.
Kickoff between the Cowboys and Packers on Sunday is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. CT inside AT&T Stadium. Let the "Freak Show'' commence!
