Refs screw Cowboys on MNF with egregious missed holding on Micah Parsons

The Dallas Cowboys scored an opening drive touchdown for the first time all season against the Cincinnati Bengals. Mike McCarthy wisely chose to go for it on 4th-and-1 deep in the red zone and Cooper Rush threw a beautifully-lofted anticipation ball to a wide-open CeeDee Lamb.

Field goals won't get the job done against the Bengals' high-octane offense. Sure enough, they marched down the field on their second drive. Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase hooked up for their league-leading 14th TD of the season. DaRon Bland had airtight coverage on Chase, but Burrow placed the pass perfectly.

The Cowboys arguably should have gotten off the field before the score, however. Ever unblockable, Micah Parsons generated pressure on a third down conversion from Burrow to Tee Higgins. In real time, it was obvious that Parsons was held by Bengals rookie right tackle Amarius Mims.

You can watch the play behind this link. Parsons beat Mims around the edge and the young lineman put him in a chokehold to halt his momentum. No flag was thrown and the Bengals scored to tie the game a few plays later.

Refs missed blatant hold on Cowboys' Micah Parsons right before Bengals TD

Holding calls simply don't get more obvious than that.

What makes it worse is that the crew flagged Mims for holding Parsons earlier in the drive. It was almost a carbon copy of the first penalty. For whatever reason, Mims' second arm-bar on Parsons was deemed fair game.

Parsons has actually drawn a holding penalty in consecutive games. While shocking, the All-Pro defender has received unfair treatment from refs since he stepped foot in the league. He does not get the superstar treatment. He is too good for his own good. His own dominance is used against him.

That should not influence referee decision-making whatsoever. Games should be called fairly regardless of a player's talent.

Parsons should be among the leaders in drawn holding penalties every year. In 2023, he lagged behind Pro Bowlers T.J. Watt and Maxx Crosby and Broncos defensive lineman Zach Allen in that department even though had the best pass-rush win rate, quarterback pressure rate and most pressures.

Parsons is fully aware that gets a bad whistle. Not one to point the finger, he has admirably resisted the urge to call out NFL officiating. Regardless if the Cowboys come out on top in this one, though, Parsons has full jurisdiction to speak his mind after the game.

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