How Micah Parsons’ dominance is lifting Packers’ defense

Over at PackersWire, Zach Kruse argues that Parsons is one of Green Bay’s biggest reasons for optimism the rest of the season.

“The Packers made a change at defensive line coach (DeMarcus Covington) and then traded for a game-wrecker (Micah Parsons), and now the pass-rush looks like a real weapon,” Krause writes for PackersWire. “If quarterback is the most important position, pressuring and disrupting the opponent’s quarterback is the most important task of a defense. Parsons leads the NFL in pressures (both at PFF and Next Gen Stats) despite getting major attention on most snaps, and the Packers have four additional rushers with at least 10 pressures, including Lukas Van Ness (13) and Rashan Gary (13, 4.5 sacks).

“The defense’s 36 quarterback hits rank tied for second, and at PFF, the Packers rank second in pass-rushing grade. Despite struggling against Dak Prescott last week, the Packers are still allowing only 4.9 net yards per pass attempt this season, ranking in the top five. Not every quarterback will handle pressure like Prescott. The Packers will be fine defensively, largely because Parsons and the pass rush is going to be a dominant force most weeks.”

Parsons has been a wrecking ball in opposing backfields through the season’s first four months, and has also, according to league executives, opened up opportunities for the Packers’ other top edge rushers to make an impact.

“The trade has given Green Bay an impact player,” an NFL Scouting Director tells Between The Hashmarks. “Other players have to step up around him, as you saw Sunday night, Micah’s getting double-teamed a lot. So, others are getting one-on-one looks.”