Cardinals Know Micah Parsons is a Certified Game-Wrecker

The Arizona Cardinals know just how impactful Dallas Cowboys LB Micah Parsons can be.

New York Jets OC Nathaniel Hackett made two mistakes: Underestimating Dallas Cowboys LB Micah Parsons, and then admitting it out loud. 

“We even underestimated his speed on the quick game. He is spectacular, and somebody you have to look back and say, ‘Can you even do that?’ We looked back at the tape, corrected it and saw how we can help ourselves out," Hackett said after his offense was throttled by Dallas in Week 2.

It's assured the Arizona Cardinals will not make that same mistake.

Parsons was made a first-round pick in 2021 and has surpassed any level of hype that occupied him after an illustrious career at Penn State. Having won Defensive Rookie of the Year on top of back to back first team All-Pro nods, Parsons has already established himself as one of the best players - not only on the defensive side of the ball - but one of the best players in the entire league, period. 

His freakish speed, instincts, ability to drop into coverage, tackling runners and motor to get after the quarterback has only been spotted by some of the game's all-time greats. Parsons has garnered comparison to names such as Lawrence Taylor, though there's plenty of football ahead to allow that to unfold organically. 

Dallas Cowboys LB Micah Parsons is sure to leave his mark at State Farm Stadium.  / © Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

According to NFL's Next Gen Stats, Parsons is already the best pass-rusher in the league.

"Parsons is the only defender to accumulate triple-digit pressures (103) over the last two seasons, generating double-digit pressures in three games since 2022 -- no other defender has done so in more than one game. Parsons has also averaged an insane 19.7 percent pressure rate in that span, while no other player with a minimum of 300 pass rushes eclipses 18 percent.

"The scariest thing for opposing quarterbacks? The third-year pro is getting even better. By almost every new metric available in our new pass rushing toolbox, Parsons ranks first through two games this season. He leads the NFL in quick pressures (eight), positive rushes (42) and average peak pressure probability (51.1%), and he’s forced two turnovers from pressure, extending his lead (11) since 2021."

He's part of a dominant Cowboys defense that leads the league in points allowed per game (5), turnover differential (+7), sacks (10) and yards allowed per game (193). After losing DB Trevon Diggs to a season-ending ACL injury, it appears Parsons is as motivated as ever to shoulder the load and push Dallas to new heights.

Multiple Cardinals spoke on Parsons' abilities ahead of their meeting in Week 3.

Cardinals OC Drew Petzing

"So far, I don't think you can. But that's our task. I think that's going to be the focus. Obviously he's one of the better defensive players in the entire league. He's earned that respect and certainly we're going to give him that respect in terms of the way that we call the game, put the plan together and go out there and try to execute."

Cardinals QB Josh Dobbs

"They do a really good job in their scheme with Dan Quinn, moving him around. He's inside, he's outside. Last year he's lining up at linebacker. You got to figure out where No. 11 is going to be in the run game, in the pass game, in the protection game. So that's what we're diving into. What's his plan first and second down? Third down, how are they getting him in ideal spots to rush the passer and how we can try to neutralize that as an offense?"

Cardinals HC Jonathan Gannon

“Obviously, he’s one of the elite players in the world. He’s explosive, fast, and powerful. He can rush, he can play the run, and he takes the ball away. He’s a really good player. ... You never want to let their best players beat you, but that’s why he’s one of the best players in the world. We’ve got to have a plan for him and understand that he’s going to make plays, but you’ve got to try to negate some of his impact and splash plays and go about it from there. ... He lines up everywhere truthfully. Left, right, over the center, stack the WILL and MIKE—everywhere. You’ve got to have a plan for him—with whatever plays you have up you’ve got to have a plan with where he’s at to try not to let him impact the game like he’s been.”

Cardinals OT Paris Johnson

"As a player, I feel like the players you respect the most, you play hardest against. There's not a lot of guys that have a high motor and are very athletic and are as gifted as him."

Micah Parsons is a heat-seeking missile that hasn't been stopped yet this season. 

According to Pro Football Focus, Parsons has the following snap alignments in his career:

DL: 1,182
Box LB: 680
FS: 1
Slot: 27
Corner: 10

This year, Parsons was moved strictly as an edge rusher, though he bounces from left, right and even middle depending on what Cowboys DC Dan Quinn decides to do with him.

Parsons - who is the defending NFC Defensive Player of the Week - said it doesn't matter where he aligns: He's coming.

“I’m just hungry, bro. To me, it don’t matter where I am, where I’m at, I’m coming,” Parsons told reporters. “I don’t care if I’m gassed out, my lungs hurt, it’s mind over matter. Every time I’m out there, I seize every opportunity unlike some guys, man, who take this opportunity for granted. I take this extremely to the heart."

The Cardinals themselves were able to find a rhythm last week on the offensive side of the ball, though Arizona will be tested in entirely different ways than their previous two games. 

Just know whenever Dobbs approaches the line of scrimmage, the No. 1 priority is finding where No. 11 is at.