In a sizzling NFL season bursting with energy, the Dallas Cowboys have roared to the second spot on Stephen A. Smith’s scorching “Hot or Not” list. This despite the Cowboys trouncing the New York Giants 40-0 in a fiery display of dominance. The Cowboys’ linebackers, reminiscent of legendary 2-time Super Bowl champions, have left their mark on the field.

As Stephen A. Smith unveils his inaugural NFL power rankings of the season on ESPN’s First Take, one name stands out in his chorus of praise: Micah Parsons. This 6-foot-3, 250-pound force of nature delivered a commanding performance in Week 1, propelling him to the frontrunner position for the Defensive Player of the Year, as per FanDuel Sportsbook.

Stephen A. Smith’s standout star Micah Parsons

Smith’s A-list for Week 1 has set the NFL world ablaze, and his Top – 5 NFL teams after the initial showdown are as follows: Leading the pack, are the San Francisco 49ers, followed closely by the Dallas Cowboys, the Miami Dolphins, the Cleveland Browns, and rounding off at fifth place, the Philadelphia Eagles (Well, no comments!).

Remarkably, even after a lackluster passing performance by Dak Prescott, ranking last in completions and completion percentage for Week 1, the Cowboys clinched a 40-point victory. Smith couldn’t help but commend their extraordinary feat, exclaiming, “Dak Prescott, basically last in completion percentage in Week 1 and you still win by 40? I got to give you love at least for this week.”

The spotlight firmly rests on star linebacker Micah Parsons, with the Jets strategizing on how to tackle him in their upcoming Week 2 clash. Smith’s comparisons of Parsons to the legendary 2-time Super Bowl champion Lawrence Taylor are resonating across the NFL. He remarked, “When you sack a quarterback seven times,” referring to the Cowboys’ dominant performance against the Giants, which included a sack credited to Parsons, “When you run roughshod over them when Micah Parsons looks like a modern-day Lawrence Taylor.” Smith was equally mystified by the Cowboys’ secondary, exclaiming, “When you see [Trevon] Diggs and [Stephon] Gilmore in the secondary, you’re [still] trying to figure out how [Gilmore] got there.”

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A product of Penn State and a 2021 first-round pick by Dallas, Parsons has quickly risen to NFL stardom, earning first-team All-Pro honors in his first two seasons. Following the season opener, he boasts 2 solo tackles and 1 sack to his name, with all eyes on his showdown against the Jets at AT&T Stadium on Sunday, September 17.

Takeouts from week 1 for the Jets & Cowboys

However, it was not expected that soon! But the Cowboys will now face Zach Wilson, not Aaron Rodgers, in their home opener against the Jets. Wilson’s passing stats, 14-21 for 140 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception, closely rival Prescott’s 13-24 for 143 yards. The absence of Aaron Rodgers has leveled the playing field, setting the stage for an intriguing matchup.

Speaking from a defensive standpoint, Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley emphasized the need for consistency, acknowledging the Cowboys’ formidable run game. The Green and White have already showcased their prowess, ranking fourth in the NFL in rushing yards after Week 1, while the Cowboys defensive line made a resounding statement with 7 sacks in the season opener.

The NFL season is off to a blazing start, and the Dallas Cowboys are firmly in the spotlight, poised for an electrifying showdown with the New York Jets.

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