Micah Parsons keeps Dallas Cowboys' fire burning in victory

Micah Parsons is not ready to concede what the Dallas Cowboys can do in 2024, but he is already thinking about what might be in 2025.

Three games remain in the season and the Cowboys (6-8) still have a sliver of hope to make the playoffs after Sunday's 30-14 win against the Carolina Panthers, but Parsons is proud of the fight his teammates have shown after so many losses and injuries this year.

"At the end of the day, I always look at it like, I'm me and if you put that out there, that's your characteristics. You gave up before in life. Me personally, I've never given up on anything in life, anything that I ever truly wanted," Parsons said. "So, to me, I'm always going to keep fighting and clawing. But that's part of the journey. You know how much better of a team we'll be if we say, 'Damn, we went 9-8. We missed 10 starters and we're playing this good?' The momentum you have going into next year and then say, 'Yo, we've been there before.' Like that's part of the mountain. That's part of the journey. There's a downfall in every story. We was climaxing and climaxing and we had to [fall]. We fell big. But I know what time it is. I'm looking forward to finishing this year off strong and coming back next year."

The Cowboys will need help to make the playoffs for a fourth straight season, including two losses by the Washington Commanders in the next two weeks to make their regular-season finale meeting matter. They will also need help from the Atlanta Falcons and entire NFC West to earn a wild-card bid.

And they can't lose another game. The Cowboys' final three games are against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles and Commanders.

"We got a big one now," coach Mike McCarthy said of the Tampa Bay game. "I mean, they're obviously all big, but we fully expected to win this game, and it was a tough one Monday night but you can't look back. You just continue to grow, stack success, so we've won three out of four and we obviously know the path that's been cut for us."

The Cowboys were gutted in their 27-20 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday and lost linebacker DeMarvion Overshown to three torn ligaments in his right knee. On Saturday, they learned cornerback Trevon Diggs would need surgery on his left knee and would miss the rest of the season.

That is on top of having quarterback Dak Prescott, right guard Zack Martin and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence on injured reserve.

The Cowboys entered Sunday as underdogs to the Panthers, who were favored in a game for the first time since 2022.

"I have lot of pride in the commitment we have to one another because it shows up. Monday through Saturday is the hardest part. Sundays, this is what you live for, to get out here and compete," McCarthy said. "So, I just love the way they stay after it. That's a credit to the coaches and the players."

Rico Dowdle established a career high in rushing yards for the third straight week, finishing with 149 yards on 25 carries. Cooper Rush had his first three-touchdown pass of his career. ++CeeDee Lamb++ became the first Cowboy to go for more than 1,000 yards in four of his first five seasons.

Defensively, the performance against the Panthers felt much like Parsons' first three seasons. The Cowboys sacked Bryce Young six times. They created four takeaways -- two interceptions and two fumbles. In the third quarter, the Panthers had minus-5 yards on offense. According to ESPN Research, it was the fewest yards the Cowboys have allowed in a quarter this century.

"I'm just happy we finally starting to play Cowboy football, you know," Parsons said. "And it just sucks it's happening so late."

Parsons had two sacks, bringing his season total to 8.5 on the season, despite missing four games because of a high ankle sprain. It was the 17th multi-sack game of his career; only Hall of Famers Reggie White (23) and Richard Dent (18) have more in a player's first four seasons.

"The sacks is hindsight," Parsons said. "I really want to make the playoffs. I was on a streak of four straight playoff appearances. Wanting greater for myself. Wanting to be in a Super Bowl. Man, I'm in my prime. I feel like I'm untouchable right now."