While there’s been a lot of question marks surrounding the Dallas Cowboys offense after just two games, one bright spot that hasn’t wavered is the dominance of the defense.
The Cowboys defense ranks third in total sacks, and sixth in both passing yards allowed per game and total yards allowed.
The man at the center of it all is Micah Parsons. The former Penn State Nittany Lion recorded 13 sacks last season and earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Parsons was also an All-Pro and Pro Bowler in 2021.
Parsons picked up where he left off last season as he currently leads the NFL with four sacks through just two weeks. Sportsbook oddsmakers have certainly noticed Parsons’ dominance as he currently holds the best odds to win Defensive Player of the Year at +380, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
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Micah Parsons DPOY odds skyrocketing
Before the season started, Parsons’ odds to take home the award were much higher. Here’s a look at the top five players to win DPOY before Week 1:
- Myles Garrett (+700)
- T.J. Watt (+700)
- Aaron Donald (+750)
- Micah Parsons (+1,000)
- Nick Bosa (+1,500)
After two weeks of football, here’s the updated rankings of the top five players to bring home the hardware:
- Micah Parsons (+380)
- Myles Garrett (+425)
- Nick Bosa (+1,000)
- Aaron Donald (+1,400)
- Maxx Crosby (+2,000)
The most notable movement besides Parsons is the emergence of Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby. Crosby has one sack and 14 total tackles on the year.
Crosby took the place of Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt, who was moved to injured reserve after suffering a torn pectoral muscle in Week 1.
Micah Parsons is shattering NFL records
Parsons has already etched his name in a few record books early into the 2022 season.
Parsons has 17 sacks through the first 18 games of his career, which is the most in NFL history. Trailing Parsons on this list is Aldon Smith who tallied 16.5 sacks in his first 18 games.
Parsons’ four sacks through the opening two games of the season is tied for the second-most in franchise history. Leading this list is Cowboys legend Charles Haley who recorded 5.5 sacks in the first two weeks of the 1994 season.
Could Micah Parsons break the single-season sack record?
Since NFL statisticians began tracking sacks in 1982, Watt and former New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan are tied for the most in a season with 22.5 sacks.
Considering the pace Parsons is on, it’s not crazy to think he could hold this record by the end of the year. Parsons is currently on track to hit 34 sacks this season.
While it’s unlikely his sack total gets that high, he’s certainly put himself in a good spot to beat Watt and Strahan’s record.
