It would have been easy for the Dallas Cowboys to view their Week 15 road game against the Carolina Panthers the way much of their fan base hoped they would.
With a season marred by injuries, poor management decisions, and underwhelming performances, many believed it would be wiser for the Cowboys to coast through the remaining games and focus on improving their position in the 2025 NFL Draft.
After all, the Cowboys have plenty of holes to fill. Securing a better draft pick might seem like the smartest move for the team’s future.
However, edge rusher Micah Parsons had no intention of letting the team take that route. Two weeks ago, he made it clear where he stood, and after Dallas secured a convincing 30-14 win over Carolina with a dominating defensive performance, Parsons doubled down on his stance.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Parsons delivered a strong message to his teammates. With four games left to play entering Sunday, he demanded professionalism and effort from everyone in each remaining contest.
That mentality started with Carolina:
“We’ve got to step up defensively, understand that we’re missing guys offensively, but we just gotta keep stepping up. This was a good team. They gave the Eagles a scare, Chiefs, Broncos—this is a team we didn’t want to take lightly coming in here.”
And Parsons is determined to carry that mindset through the rest of the season.
“We are not gonna give up,” Parsons said. “As long as I am part of this unit, as long as we believe in each other, and I can look to my left and know I can count on them, we’re fighting for each other, you know?”
Cowboys Stars Deliver Big Performances
The Cowboys’ offense had a strong outing, with quarterback Cooper Rush bouncing back from an early fumble to throw three touchdowns without an interception. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb hauled in nine passes for 116 yards, while running back Rico Dowdle rushed for 149 yards on 25 carries.
But it was the defense that consistently gave the offense favorable opportunities. The Cowboys sacked Panthers rookie quarterback Bryce Young six times and forced four turnovers—two interceptions and two fumbles. Parsons assured fans and opponents alike that this level of effort will continue.
“There’s a lot of guys fighting for new contracts, guys fighting to take care of their families. There’s still a lot of football to be played. You don’t want to put anything bad on film. We’re fighting for each other at this point,” he said.
Playing for Each Other
With a 6-8 record, the Cowboys are no longer realistically in playoff contention. But, according to Parsons, that doesn’t mean they can’t play with purpose.
“The record is the record, the game is the game. You’re going to win some and lose some. But it’s a special feeling when we can fight for each other,” Parsons said.
Though the postseason may be out of reach, the Cowboys are determined to finish the season with pride and resilience. For Parsons, it’s not just about the games—it’s about the team’s bond and their commitment to one another.
