Dallas Cowboys star defender Micah Parsons was excited to go up against Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady in the NFC wild-card round. Parsons expressed how the challenge was greater against Brady, but it was a challenge he was eager for.
So, after the Parsons-led defense suffocated Brady and company in Dallas’ 31-14 win Monday night, the Defensive Player of the Year candidate knew the postseason victory meant more given the opposition.
“Yeah, just because I haven’t beaten him yet. And who knows his future and stuff like that,” Parsons told reporters, per the team. “Regardless of whatever record says, he’s still a hell of a quarterback, they’re a hell of a team. It was a hell of a win tonight.”
Brady entered the contest having never lost to the Cowboys.
Parsons and company, however, shut out Brady and the Buccaneers in the first half as Dallas built a three-possession lead. In the end, Parsons contributed two tackles for loss, two pass breakups, one sack and nine (!) pressures. It was the second-most pressures by any player in a game this season (Parsons had 10 in Week 2), per ESPN’s Field Yates.
He wrecked the game. And he did it against the best quarterback in NFL history.
Parsons and the Cowboys will have their work cut out for themselves heading into the NFC divisional round against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET. But for Parsons, who previously predicted his best football will be played in the playoffs, it’s a challenge he’s looking forward to.
“I’m excited for next week. I’m excited for the matchup,” Parsons said. “They got a great O-line, they got some great ballplayers and I’m excited to go against them.”
The 49ers opened as a 4-point favorite and oddsmakers now have the hosts favored by 3.5 points against Parsons and the Cowboys.
