Cowboys' Micah Parsons Betting Favorite for Defensive Player of Year
The Dallas Cowboys (10-4) suffered an uncompetitive 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills (8-6) on Sunday at Highmark Stadium - but it wasn't enough to dim the season star linebacker Micah Parsons has put together.
Parsons, who's finished as the runner-up in NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting in each of his first two professional seasons, was held to only two tackles against Buffalo.
But with 12.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss, Parsons is now the betting favorite to do one better than he has the past two years, with DraftKings giving him the best odds to win Defensive Player of the Year.
Parsons is listed at -110, with Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett not far behind at +185. Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt rounds out the top three at +350.
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) leaves the field after the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sitting at No. 4 is a familiar face in Frisco, as Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland slots in at +2500. While he's a distant candidate, Bland's eight interceptions and five defensive touchdowns are garnering rightful praise.
Jacksonville Jaguars outside linebacker Josh Allen (+3000), San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (+4000), Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter (+4000) and Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (+5000) are the next closest challengers.
The 24-year-old Parsons has registered 13 and 13.5 sacks over the past two years, respectively, and is on pace to better that this season.
It's possible - if not likely - he'll also better his standing in the Defensive Player of the Year finishing order, becoming the first Cowboy to win the award since Harvey Martin in 1977.
Parsons will look to take another step towards breaking the 46-year drought Sunday, when Dallas travels to take on the Miami Dolphins (10-4) at 3:25 p.m. CST inside Hard Rock Stadium.
