The Dallas Cowboys got something on Thursday Night Football that they hadn't seen since Week 1: A quarterback that was actually dropping back to pass the ball. Over the last couple of weeks, the team didn't earn the right to rush the passer as a result of not stopping the run.
Against the New York Giants, who averaged 1.1 yards per carry against the Cowboys, that changed as Daniel Jones finished the night with 40 pass attempts. The problem? He was mostly unbothered by the Micah Parsons-led pass rush.
The Cowboys sacked Jones only once in the game, and hit him a total three times on Thursday. That's a sign of concern considering this team's biggest strength on defense is exactly that.
Micah Parsons, who seems to have avoided a major injury , talked about the lack of pressure postgame and delivered some comments that can be interpreted as a homework assignment for defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, as the Cowboys pass rusher stated he team needs a better plan to what opponents are doing to deter his efforts.
"A team like that, it's a lot of chips, a lot of slides, a lot of running back help, I don't even think (the running back) released for a route unless it was a screen," Parsons told reporters . "What I'm realizing is even the best (offensive tackles) get help."
The Cowboys star defender went into detail bout the Giants' gameplan, explaining how much help Daniel Jones' offensive line had to slow him down.
"I don't think we've seen a consistent running back or tight end help that much, maybe chips on the outside but (this) was stepping up into B-gaps, sliding our way," added Parsons. "It was a good plan, but we've got to create a better plan for it."
Parsons hit the nail in the head with the last part. Coming up with a better plan is needed. At this point, we know how teams are treating Parsons. It's what the Green Bay Packers did in January and the blueprint is out there. A plan for it starts with Zimmer.
Expect Parsons to share his input but it's one of the biggest reasons why the defensive coordinator was brought to Dallas: Figure out a way to make Micah unstoppable even when an offense is using all of its resources in slowing him down. At this point, opponents sending help to stop Parsons is no longer an excuse. They need solutions.
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