As the Dallas Cowboys prepare to face the Carolina Panthers, star linebacker Micah Parsons is emphasizing the importance of not repeating past mistakes. The Cowboys had a challenging experience in Week 3 when they faced the Arizona Cardinals, entering the game with a 2-0 record while the Cardinals were 0-2.
Reflecting on that encounter, Parsons acknowledged the team’s adversity during that time, such as injuries to key players like cornerback Trevon Diggs and significant issues with the offensive line. The Cowboys, riding high after a strong start, suffered a 28-16 defeat at the hands of the Cardinals.
Parsons is now urging his team not to underestimate the Panthers, emphasizing the need to stay focused and maintain a winning mentality.
“We already made that mistake once, we can’t make it twice,” Parsons said. “I think during that time, there was a lot of adversity that the team was facing, things like that. We were missing half of our O-line. We’re way more healthy, way more locked in. It’s November-December football; we can’t have those kinds of mishaps happen. We got to go out there and win.”
The Cowboys have a strong track record at home but have struggled on the road, with a 1-3 record this season away from AT&T Stadium. Head coach Mike McCarthy identified penalties and adjusting to road environments as challenges, stressing the need for discipline and ball security.
“The first one is the penalties,” McCarthy explained. “Penalties on the road, compared to home, are too high. I think it’s like anything, road environments [are] a different challenge, especially at the beginning of the game when the crowd is the loudest.”
McCarthy acknowledged the importance of Cowboys fans showing support on the road and emphasized the need to handle pregame preparations well.
The upcoming game against the Panthers provides the Cowboys with an opportunity to demonstrate their growth and resilience, showing that they’ve learned from their earlier setbacks and are better equipped for success on the road. The proof, as Parsons notes, will be in their performance come game day.