Pro Lions: Micah Parsons could be in for huge game vs. Tampa Bay

On Monday, the 5th-seed Dallas Cowboys (12-5) will face off against the 4th-seed Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9, NFC South Champions). One of the key players to watch for the Cowboys during this Wild Card matchup will be Penn State legend and NFL star, Micah Parsons.

Parsons is a disruptive force as a linebacker and edge rusher, and can fly all over the field to make plays. Against Tom Brady and the Bucs, Dallas will need Parsons to be at his best if the Cowboys expect to win their fourth Playoff game this millennium.

Micah Parsons’ 2022-23 season

During the 2022-23 regular season, Cowboys’ linebacker/edge Micah Parsons had 42 solo tackles, 23 assists, 13.5 sacks and 3 fumble recoveries in 17 games played. Parsons is in his second season in Dallas and has already established himself as one of the top defensive players in the league.

Last year, during Parsons’ rookie year, he posted similar numbers (64 solo tackles, 20 assists and 13.0 sacks in 16 games) which earned him the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year Award.

Parsons against Tom Brady

Throughout Micah Parsons’ two-year NFL career, he has faced off against Tom Brady’s Buccaneers twice — once in 2021, and once this season. So far, Parsons and the Cowboys are 0-2 in these matchups.

Last season, Dallas made the trip to Tampa Bay in early-September, and walked away with a 31-29 loss at the hands of NFL legend and former Michigan Wolverine, Tom Brady. In that matchup, Parsons recorded seven tackles and no sacks — an underwhelming performance to start the year. This season, the Cowboys hosted the Bucs early in September and again fell short. Brady walked into Dallas and knocked off the Cowboys, 19-3.

In game two, Parsons recorded five tackles and two sacks in the Cowboys’ 16-point home loss. On Monday, the Dallas Cowboys will again travel to Tampa Bay to face off against Brady and the Bucs. Throughout Brady’s extensive NFL career, he has had the Cowboys’ number and sits at 7-0 overall against Dallas. Next Monday, Parsons and the Cowboys will look to change their fortunes against the greatest football player of all-time.

Dallas needs Parsons to step up

If the Cowboys expect to advance to the Divisional Round of the Playoffs, they’ll need Parsons to have a monster game on Monday. Pressuring Tom Brady is an essential part of disrupting the Bucs’ offense, and Parsons is likely one of the only players that can do this successfully. If beating Tom Brady wasn’t hard enough as-is, Dallas will now have to face Brady in the Playoffs in Tampa Bay.

If Parsons can get the 45-year-old Tom Brady on the ground a few times, this game could get ugly in the Cowboys’ favor. If not, Brady could be on his way to another historic Playoff run this year.