“The reality is, sometimes you are out-coached, sometimes you are out-schemed,” Micah Parsons said this week during a training camp press conference, unwittingly echoing the frustrations of Cowboys fans everywhere. But in the high-stakes world of NFL playoffs are these words of wisdom or just another fumble? The Dallas Cowboys’ playoff woes have become as predictable as a Texas summer. Since 2021, they’ve managed just one postseason victory, a stark contrast to their regular-season dominance. This time, it’s not just the scoreboard causing a stir. Micah Parsons, the team’s star linebacker, has kicked up a duststorm with comments that seem to point fingers at everyone but himself.

In the press conference, Parsons addressed the scrutiny he faces due to the Cowboys’ lack of playoff success. “Sometimes people have the answers for what you dial up, and there’s nothing you can do,” he said. Parsons went on to suggest that opposing quarterbacks often elevate their game against Dallas, stating, “Sometimes their quarterback might have the best game of their life. We’ve seen that multiple times. A quarterback comes to Dallas and says, ‘I’m Pat Mahomes today.'”

These words didn’t just ruffle feathers; they set off a full-blown chicken coop rebellion among former NFL players. James Jones, ex-Green Bay Packers wide receiver, didn’t pull any punches on the SPEAK show today. “All this other stuff is excuses,” Jones fired back. He suggested Parsons should’ve taken a different tack: “We ain’t been at our best and we’ve been outplayed… You know what? That’s on me, that’s on the coaches, that’s on the quarterback.”

LeSean McCoy piled on, pointing out the Cowboys’ embarrassment of riches with nine All-Pros. “When he says these certain things about players looking like Pat, I don’t want to hear that,” McCoy said, his frustration palpable. “On defense, you guys have enough… just go out there and play.”

A tight reminder of the disheartening game against the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round. The Cowboys had been handed their hats in a 48-32 shellacking by Jordan Love, in his first playoff start where he and the team carved up Dallas’s defense like a Thanksgiving turkey, throwing for 272 yards and three touchdowns with a near-perfect passer rating of 157.2. Nonetheless, it was a collapse and a disappointing end to the Cowboys’ previous season.

Excuses or explanations? The aftermath of another Cowboys collapse

As the dust settles on another disappointing Cowboys season, the question looms: Are Parsons’ words a much-needed reality check or just another excuse in a long line of postseason letdowns?

James Jones did not avoid the issue of the Cowboys’ playoff flops. “Lately in the postseason since I’ve been here, since Dak Prescott has been here, we ain’t been at our best and we’ve been outplayed,” Jones said, expressing that’s what he believed Parsons should have said. He emphasized accountability, “That’s on me, that’s on the coaches, that’s on the quarterback. We need to figure out a way starting right here in training camp to make sure when we get in the postseason, the quarterback don’t come in here and look like Patty Mahomes.”

Michael Irvin was straightforward about the defeat. “No way the Dallas Cowboys should have lost that game,” he said last month, his voice dripping with disappointment. It reminded him of how Jimmy Johnson described motivation through fire and brimstone: “Each man on this team should be ready to hang from a tree… to win this championship.”

This newest controversy doesn’t revolve around just one player; instead, it should be seen as a symptom of deeper problems within Dallas. The unique pressure associated with wearing the star was highlighted on the SPEAK show by Joy Taylor. “Every game the Cowboys is gonna get everybody’s best shot,”, she said, underscoring how tough you need to be mentally to make it in Dallas.

The Cowboys have been performing well during regular seasons only to disappoint their supporters after making it into playoffs. Nevertheless, they are facing tough choices as they navigate their futures. Other considerations also need to be made including CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons’ possible extensions so that priorities can be set properly by Dallas because stats indicate that going for Prescott over Lamb and Parsons would do more harm than good in the long run.

Like Cris Carter put crisply two months ago on Fully Loaded Podcast: “Dak is a good player, and there’s nothing wrong with being a good player, but Dak Prescott is not a great player.” For a franchise with Super Bowl aspirations, that gap between good and great might just be the difference between January heartbreak and February glory.

In the words of TJ Houshmandzadeh, “If you want this to stop, you guys have to win a Super Bowl.” Until then, the Cowboys and their fans could remain stuck in what can be characterized as a never-ending cycle of high expectations followed by higher letdowns. This 2024 season will be a chance either to shush the naysayers or fall prey to criticisms surrounding the team.