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Micah Parsons Stats Reveal Stunning Cowboys Change

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Anthony Goss | Last updated Dec 26, 2024 11:24 AM ET

Even for a coach with a pedigree like Mike Zimmer, replacing Dan Quinn and the success he had with the Dallas Cowboys was going to be a difficult task. Dallas went through apparent growing pains at the start of the season, finding trouble in handling most offenses they faced.

A handful of key injuries did not help the cause either. Micah Parsons missed extended time, DaRon Bland did not take the field until Week 12 and DeMarcus Lawrence has not played since Week 5.

Those ailments still do not account for the losses of Trevon Diggs and DeMarvion Overshown. Nonetheless, Zimmer's group has shown continued resilience in the face of adversity.

The Cowboys have been eliminated from playoff contention and had slim odds heading into Sunday night's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But being forced into a corner with nothing besides pride on the table changed the feel of this group.

Now there are a few caveats here. Parsons' return from injury provided significant relief for a group that was mostly lost without him. The schedule has eased up on the Cowboys as well.

But Dallas' defense has undoubtedly shown a new fire that was on full display Sunday night. Beyond the words and motivations, that progress can be found in the numbers.

The Cowboys have forced a takeaway in each of their last eight games, a streak that has lifted them among the better defenses in the NFL and to a total of 21 on the season. With two games to go, that is only five less than what Quinn's defense had in 2023.

Parsons has been the ring leader of this fighting mindset and his 50-sack milestone reached last week is a marker of his achievement this season.

Next season, the Cowboys and their fans will want more than moral victories. Those "accolades" are still falling short of an acceptable standard. But the Cowboys' late-season surge is remarkable given the circumstances of this campaign.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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