NFL Analysis Network

Cowboys’ Micah Parsons Ready For Monster Playoff Debut vs 49ers

The Dallas Cowboys held high aspirations for the 2021 NFL season and now face an opportunity to realize those goals during their playoff matchup with the San Francisco 49ers.

One of the key players for the Cowboys will be a name that’s been pivotal all season long; Micah Parsons. He was sidelined for Dallas’ regular season finale due to being on the COVID-19 reserve list. He feels ‘great’ and ‘refreshed’ ahead of his first-ever playoff performance.

“I think from a standpoint of comeback, I feel great,” Parsons said Wednesday, via the teams’ official website. “I had a whole bunch of rest. I had an extra bye week some of the guys didn’t get. So I feel refreshed.”

It’s great news for the Dallas Cowboys that Parsons is feeling so ready to make a big impact given how a key area where the San Francisco 49ers thrive is running the football. Parsons being ready to stop the run at a high-level could be among the list of key X-Factors for Dallas.

During the 2021 NFL season, the 49ers finished with 499 carries (5th), 2,166 rushing yards (7th), 22 touchdowns (5th), and racked up 12 rush attempts of 20+ yards (9th). While San Francisco’s rushing stats don’t make them appear as a dominant team in that area, they are doing it without an elite quarterback threatening the defense.

“When the run game’s that good, everything is small detailed out,” Parsons said. “We’re going to have to really focus in and make sure we go out there to play our best football.”

LATEST NFL NEWS: The One X-Factor Who Must Step Up For Cowboys In Wild Card vs. 49ers

The importance of stopping the run is high, in general, but is especially key for the Cowboys against the 49ers. Parsons sees getting the job done on early downs will open up opportunities for the team’s pass rusher (or ‘monsters’ as Parsons describes them) to pressure Garoppolo and force him to beat them with the football.

“Obviously, the key is stop the run and then let the monsters eat on third down,” Parsons said. “You’ve got to win first and second down.”

LATEST NFL NEWS: The One X-Factor Who Must Step Up For Cowboys In Wild Card vs. 49ers

One player, in particular, that will be important for the Dallas Cowboys to stop is Deebo Samuel. He moves around the field in different spots and in some situations, Parsons will be a pivotal element of checking him and perhaps will also need to slot in at different positions and spots.

Samuel finished the 2021 NFL season being relied upon a lot more as a running back after the San Francisco 49ers experienced injuries in the backfield. He thrived in doing so, finishing with eight rushing touchdowns on the season while leading the league in yards after contact—both as a receiver and running back.

It’s hard to find a more versatile offensive weapon than Samuel. With all of his production as a running back, he also finished with 77 receptions for 1,405 yards and six touchdowns. Overall, he produced a staggering 1,770 yards from scrimmage on 136 touches with 14 total touchdowns.

LATEST NFL NEWS: The One X-Factor Who Must Step Up For Cowboys In Wild Card vs. 49ers

If Parsons can help to neutralize such a talent, it would be a long way.

“Going to be the same preparation we’ve been doing all season,” Parsons said. “The only difference is this will dictate if we’re going home or not and I hope we’re not going home. This is going to be a good little stretch we got and I’m excited for it.”

Share on Facebook
Share On Twitter

Ranking The NFC East After NFL Free Agency

The free-agent period is all but over, as there are only a handful of names remaining on the market who will genuinely be able to

The Dallas Cowboys Are Being Criticized Too Heavily

Going into the offseason, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said the team would be “all in.” Judging by the fact that the Cowboys were over

Eagles’ Devin White Makes Bold Statement Heading Into 2024

The Philadelphia Eagles had one of the biggest hauls in free agency this offseason, and part of that haul was linebacker Devin White. White flew