The Dallas Cowboys are 5-7 and dealing with injuries on both sides of the ball. Yet pass rusher Micah Parsons sees no reason why the team won't be in contention for a spot in the playoffs.
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He has even issued a warning to the rest of the NFC — "I'm telling you all right now, we're coming."
Parsons made the comments to Fox Sports after a Thanksgiving win over the rival Giants. The final score was 27-20, but this did not reflect a game in which Dallas appeared to be in complete control.
Parsons and the defense harassed backup quarterback Drew Lock and forced him to commit multiple turnovers. One was an interception that DeMarvion Overshown returned for a touchdown. Parsons, in particular, registered 1.5 sacks during Dallas' first home win of the season.
"To be honest, it's really been why not us?" Parsons said to Fox Sports' Erin Andrews after the game. "Everybody counted us out, and it was just like, 'Enough's enough.'
"We know what we got, we know what we can do here, and I believe in every one of these guys, and I believe we're gonna turn it around and make a run."
To make this run, the Cowboys will have to rely on numerous backups. This includes Cooper Rush, who is now the starting quarterback after Dak Prescott landed on Injured Reserve. Rush threw for 195 yards and a touchdown while helping the Cowboys take down the Giants on Thanksgiving.
Other players on offense stepped up with CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson dealing with injuries. KaVontae Turpin led the team with 53 yards receiving on Thursday. Luke Schoonmaker added five catches for 33 yards in place of Ferguson.
Brandin Cooks, who had not played since Week 4, made his presence known as he returned from injury. He caught a two-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. He then caught a pass on third down late in the fourth quarter that clinched the win for the Cowboys.
Now 5-7, the Cowboys have five games remaining on the schedule. Next up are the 4-7 Bengals, a team that delivers on offense but ranks 23rd in total defense.
The schedule then continues with the 3-8 Panthers, 5-6 Buccaneers, 9-2 Eagles, and the 7-5 Commanders. The Cowboys beat the Commanders less than a week before beating the Giants on Thanksgiving.
This final stretch will be difficult, but Parsons has faith in himself and his teammates. He also knows that defensive end Demarcus Lawrence and cornerback Trevon Diggs will both return to the lineup, which will only bolster the defense at a pivotal time.
Making the playoffs will not be easy, but it will not be impossible.
