5 NFL predictions for Week 2: Bears start to own Aaron Rodgers
By Randy Gurzi
3. Micah Parsons records 4 sacks in a shocking win
Things aren’t looking good for the Dallas Cowboys. They managed just three points in an opening-week loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Adding injury to insult, they also lost Dak Prescott for roughly two months to a hand injury that required surgery.
As poorly as they played on offense, their defense deserves a lot of credit for giving them a shot. Facing Tom Brady, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Julio Jones has to be tough for anyone, and Dan Quinn’s unit still surrendered just 19 points.
Even with short fields throughout the night, the defense kept them out of the end zone and twice it was Micah Parsons who deserved the bulk of the credit. The second-year linebacker got to Brady for a sack on two drives in a row, both coming on third-down and short.
Cowboys LB Micah Parsons managed to sack Tom Brady twice. Both in red zone, on 3rd down.
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) September 15, 2022
"Those are the money downs," he said. "I’m thinking: It has to be now. We got to get off the field. They have to take this 3, especially if they’re in our territory."pic.twitter.com/xzI1cp7bvA
Looking ahead to Week 2, Parsons has to be excited about what he sees on film with their next opponent. The Cincinnati Bengals put a lot of work into their disastrous offensive line this offseason but against the Pittsburgh Steelers, they still surrendered seven sacks and Joe Burrow had four picks while under constant duress.
That means Parsons should be in the backfield constantly as the Cowboys bank on him keeping them in the game. This prediction is that Parsons answers the call with four sacks as Dallas leans on him and their ground game to steal a win over the favored Bengals.