Cowboys’ Micah Parsons dominates first half with momentum-changing play

Dallas Cowboys rookie linebacker Micah Parsons is continuing to assert his dominance in Week 14’s matchup against the Washington Football Team. In the first half alone, Parsons has two sacks, including a strip-sack that led to a defensive touchdown for the Cowboys.

These two sacks mean Parsons has 9.5 sacks in just six games. His season total is now 14 sacks. That puts Parsons just half a tick behind Jevon Kearse, who currently holds the record for most sacks as a rookie. Kearse had 14.5 sacks in 1999 with the Tennessee Titans. Ironically, Jevon Kearse is the uncle of Cowboys safety Jayron Kearse.

Parsons’ key plays have been a huge momentum-changer in the Cowboys’ 24-0 dominating performance in the first half. The crowd at FedExField (mostly filled with Cowboys fans) has been roaring after Parsons’ big hits.

Is Cowboys’ Micah Parsons Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner?

At this point, it’s pretty impossible to argue that Parsons won’t win Defensive Rookie of the Year. But is he punching his ticket for Defensive PLAYER of the Year, as well? This kid is everywhere on the field. He even almost had an interception 30 yards down the field during the first half of today’s matchup.

There’s no denying that this kid is hungry and is a huge asset to this team. If Parsons is able to win Defensive Player of the Year, he will be only the second player to win the award as a rookie. The other? Lawrence Taylor. Taylor won DPOY in 1981 with 9.5 total sacks in the regular season – a number Parsons has already surpassed with four games still left to play in the regular season.

Parsons has been making headlines all year. But his stellar performance in this critical NFC East matchup just further proves his worth and his abilities. If people don’t think a rookie can win Defensive Player of the Year, they should really watch some Parsons highlights. This kid is something special and should be considered for DPOY, regardless of age.

Through the first half, the Cowboys have shown they deserve the top spot in the NFC East. Let’s see if this rookie can continue to add to his impressive stats in the second half.