LOS ANGELES – One game is all it takes to put the NFL on notice. On Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers, three Dallas Cowboys did just that with highlight-worthy performances: Micah Parsons, Terence Steele, and Tony Pollard. This trio played a pivotal role in the Cowboys 20-17 victory on the road at SoFi Stadium.
Micah Parsons- With both starting defensive ends out, Dan Quinn utilized his versatile weapon. DeMarcus Lawrence broke his foot during Wednesday’s practice during a routine one-on-one pass rush drill and a new game plan formed around rookie Micah Parsons moving to the edge. Parsons had not lined up at defensive end since high school. He was a five-star defensive end recruit out of Harrisburg High School but transitioned to linebacker at Penn State. His pass rush moves effortlessly returned to peak form against the Chargers.
Parsons lined up on both sides of the formation but primarily harassed Chargers’ backup right tackle Storm Norton at left defensive end. On 39 defensive snaps, Parsons compiled eight pressures, a sack, four quarterback hurries, and a tackle for loss. He spearheaded the unit and was relentless in his pursuit of Justin Herbert. The former Nittany Lion’s quick get-off and lethal closing speed consistently collapsed the pocket around Herbert. His ability to showcase that level of elite play in his second regular season start at another position is a rarity. Few players can excel at different spots and his versatility sparks excitement for the future of Quinn’s defense.
“At the end of the day, he has some rare, freakish physical tools,” Executive Vice President Stephen Jones remarked on 105.3 The Fan. “And then to go with an instinctive physical mind. And whether that’s playing linebacker, whether that’s coming off an edge, he just knows how to play the game of football…getting a lot thrown at him, and he seems to answer the bell at every corner we’re at…he met and exceeded all expectations of what we could have had for him playing the edge rusher there.”
Terence Steele- Last year, Steele filled in for injured La’el Collins and started 14 games. Against the Chargers in Week 2, Steele was called upon again at right tackle. He held his own against Joey Bosa – one of the best pass rushers in the league. On 51 defensive snaps, Bosa accounted for 0 sacks and 0 quarterback hits.
“I worked my butt off this whole offseason just for this moment,” Steele told media following the game. “Bosa is one hell of a player, definitely one of the best pass rushers in the league. But I did my job, and we got the win.”
Steele was stout in both pass protection and run blocking to elevate the offense.
Tony Pollard- Going up against the No. 1 ranked run defense in 2020 and a loaded front in Week 1, the Cowboys relied on the arm of Dak Prescott against Tampa Bay. In addition, Dallas was without its best run blocker in Zack Martin, who was on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. Kellen Moore did not try to force feed Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard. A week later the outcome flipped. At SoFi Stadium in Week 2, the Cowboys were able to establish the run with the team’s premier tandem. On 44 snaps, Elliott amassed 71 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown. Pollard notched 109 yards on 13 carries (21 snaps) – the second-highest rushing total of his career and his third game eclipsing the 100-yard mark. At the snap, defenses do not know where Pollard will line up. He is a dynamic playmaker when the ball is in his hands, whether he is lined up as a slot receiver or takes a handoff out of the backfield. The Memphis product made defenders miss with his burst along the perimeter, quickly getting north and south.
“He makes a decision, and he goes,” Moore described to D210SPORTS. “That is an extremely talented trait. He has got some ability that is tremendous. We love it. We love having Tony.”
Pollard consistently gained yardage out of the flat as a pass-catcher and his decisiveness/patience on runs led to on-field success. With the wear and tear of an NFL season on running backs and the desire to keep Elliott fresh, Pollard will continue to receive an expanded bulk of carries. Stephen Jones said it best via 105.3 The Fan, “he certainly deserves to get his touches.”
