Dallas Cowboys studs and duds in Week 2 win over Chargers
By Randy Gurzi
Stud: Micah Parsons
Micah Parsons might not just be the Cowboys’ best linebacker. He could also be their best pass rusher.
With DeMarcus Lawrence out due to a broken foot suffered in practice this week, defensive coordinator Dan Quinn moved Parsons to the EDGE and he performed incredibly well in the role. Parsons, who did rush the passer often at Penn State, was creating pressure often in this one and even had a clutch sack in the fourth quarter.
Chargers fans surely aren’t happy about that one as Parsons was chasing Justin Herbert, who got the pass off but the refs called it “in the grasp” and credited Parsons with an 18-yard loss on the sack. Whether or not you agree with the call (okay, it was bad), Parsons made it happen by applying the pressure and that forced the Chargers to go for the tie rather than the win.
Dud: John Fassel
Dan Quinn deserves praise for his coaching move with Parsons but John Fassel deserves some criticism for the continued issues with his unit. Mike McCarthy brought Fassel with him to Dallas last season and so far, things have been up and down.
On Sunday, his unit gets some praise for the win since Greg Zuerlein knocked in the game-winner but they also had a tough showing which included a roughing the kicker penalty on fourth-and-20 that gave the Chargers another shot at life.
They were bailed out by Los Angeles as they missed their own field goal but that doesn’t absolve Fassel. His unit has had a lot of these moments as of late and he needs to find a way to clean it up.