The Dallas Cowboys winning on Sunday over the Washington Commanders was badly needed for America’s Team. The feeling you get from players of coaches after the win is one of relief after failing to get out of a game with their hands raised since beating the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 5.
And if you ask Cowboys star defensive end Micah Parsons, it’s a game that served as proof of what he believes to be the reality of the team: They’re good. However, Parsons wasn’t exactly thrilled with how things played out toward the end of the game.
“We did a great job, I just wish we finished better at the end,” Parsons told reporters postgame. “Letting them get that touchdown at the end really bothered me, but that’s what I mean when I say we’re a good team—we’re slowly improving.”
It’s not hard to understand where Parsons’ disappointment comes from. The Cowboys defense allowed a nine-play, 69-yard touchdown drive that took all of two minutes and fourteen seconds and gave up a two-point conversion afterwards. Next drive, it took the Commanders one play to find Terry McLaurin for an 86-yard catch-and-run touchdown.
“We’re putting games together—this time, we did well through all three quarters,” Parsons added. “I’d just like us to finish better in the fourth quarter.”
Fortunately, the Cowboys escaped with the upset win and weren’t affected by the defense’s late-game shortcomings. To be fair, they played a remarkable gamer most day, slowing down Jayden Daniels and picking him off once before the final Hail Mary and sacking him four times.
“We’re definitely on our way to be the team that we want to be,” Parsons said.
Of course, time might be an issue for the Cowboys. At 4-7, even a win doesn’t quite change expectations of missing the playoffs. But Parsons hasn’t changed his message since early in the season. He believes Dallas is a good time and for him, this win was only Exhibit A.
