Patriots, Jaguars vying for top seed. The Broncos received a massive belated Christmas gift on Monday courtesy of Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, who relinquished all gamesmanship and said point-blank that Los Angeles would rest star quarterback Justin Herbert. Denver would have to absolutely implode to lose Sunday’s matchup. In such an event, though, New England (13-3) and Jacksonville (12-4) would be set up to seize that vaunted No. 1 seed in the AFC. The Patriots are playing a 7-9 Dolphins team that’s been mathematically eliminated; the Jaguars face 3-13 Tennessee, one of the worst teams in the NFL. Denver can’t afford to get too cute here.
Fernando-mania. The Raiders are the NFL’s hottest current mess. They’ve lost 10 straight. The Pete Carroll experiment seems all but destined to end after one unceremonious year. 48-year-old minority owner Tom Brady was captured by TMZ getting a little close with 25-year-old influencer Alix Earle on New Year’s Eve. Las Vegas continues to be in the news for plenty of reasons beyond the actual on-field product. The good news? Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is only solidifying his case as a legitimate No. 1 pick, with a 14-of-16 line for 192 yards and three touchdowns in a drubbing of Alabama at the Rose Bowl on Thursday. Raiders general manager John Spytek has to be licking his chops.
Rivers done, again. The great season-saving Philip Rivers Experiment is over, as the 44-year-old will now step back into retirement after three losses in Indianapolis. What a valiant effort it was, though: Rivers has a higher QBR (39.3) in three starts in 2025 than the Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa or the Raiders’ Geno Smith have this season. The Colts announced rookie QB Riley Leonard will start in Week 18, with Indianapolis (8-8) removed from playoff contention. Rivers, though, expressed nothing but gratitude for the opportunity.
“I got three bonus games that I never saw coming,” Rivers told reporters, “and couldn’t be more thankful that I got an opportunity.”
Around the NFC
Teach me how to Purdy. It’s time to officially crown San Francisco as serious NFC contenders. The 49ers were a distant afterthought in their own division a couple months back, floating at 6-4 behind Seattle and the Rams. Suddenly, the Niners have ripped off six wins in a row with the return of starting quarterback Brock Purdy, who’s playing with rarely-before-seen levels of confidence. Case in point: hitting a nasty Dougie after a touchdown against the Bears last Sunday in a 24-of-33, 303-yard, five-total-TD performance. As 49ers tight end George Kittle has said, heaven “forbid a white guy has a little bit of motion.”
Packers get secondary help. Green Bay’s seen an unexpected influx of Cowboys into their building in 2025. First came Micah Parsons. Now, former All-Pro Trevon Diggs is joining the fray after Dallas cut bait and waived him this week. The cornerback is far from the same player who led the NFL with 11 interceptions in 2021, torched for four touchdowns and a 157.2 quarterback rating in eight games this season. But there’s still talent in there, and perhaps Diggs will be motivated by a fresh start.
Can Stafford seize an MVP? The race for the league’s top award is still wide-open entering Week 18. Support for the Rams’ Matthew Stafford, long the season favorite, has faltered significantly after he threw three interceptions in Monday’s 27-24 loss to the Falcons. The stats don’t lie, though: Stafford’s 42 touchdown passes are nine more than any other NFL quarterback entering the final regular-season game of the year. If Stafford gets back on track against the 3-13 Cardinals Sunday, consider the Most Valuable Player discussion wrapped up.
Game of the Week
Baltimore at Pittsburgh
It’s a Sunday Night doozy. Lamar Jackson vs. Aaron Rodgers for sole possession of an AFC North title — and a playoff berth. Loser’s bounced out of the bracket entirely. Jackson confirmed this week he’ll play after missing last Saturday’s win with a back contusion, in what’s been an overall-frustrating year for the MVP due to injuries and roster instability.
There could be major long-term ramifications on the line for both organizations in Pittsburgh on Sunday. A Ravens loss could bring an end of an era to the John Harbaugh-Jackson partnership in Baltimore, with trade rumors swirling around Jackson for the better part of a strange season. A Steelers loss could bring an end to the Mike Tomlin era in Pittsburgh, with rampant speculation (okay, there’s speculation literally every year) around Tomlin’s job security. Sunday should, in general, bring a unique new chapter in a historic NFL rivalry.
Lock of the Week
Tennessee at Jacksonville
There aren’t a ton of playoff teams with a ton left to play for in Week 18. The Jaguars are one of them. And they just so happen to be facing the 3-13 Titans. Tennessee’s been playing much-improved offensive ball across the last month, as rookie Cam Ward has six touchdowns and zero interceptions in his last three starts. Still, the Jaguars should be motivated to put this one to bed early to preserve a shot at the one-seed and get their starters some second-half rest.
Jaguars 31, Titans 20
Upset of the Week
Washington at Philadelphia
Don’t look now, but the reigning champs should be squarely back in the thick of the Super Bowl discussion. Philadelphia’s offense is still a sludge. But Vic Fangio’s defense is playing as well as any unit in the league: the Eagles have surrendered just 14.5 points a game across their last eight weeks.
That being said, this could be a classic end-of-year stunner. Philadelphia’s resting quarterback Jalen Hurts against the Commanders, despite a shot at the No. 2 seed if they’d beat Washington. That’d signal the Eagles will sit other key starters; Washington’s suffered through a brutal season with Jayden Daniels banged up, but backup Marcus Mariota has done some solid work at times. This could be an ugly, meaningless upset.
Josh Allen and the Bills are on fire at the right time after ending New England’s 10-game win streak. In the NFC, can the Rams cling to the No.1 seed without Davante Adams?
If you watched the Detroit Lions’ final offensive possession against the Green Bay Packers, you probably felt your blood pressure spike. Six minutes on the clock, down seven, and a whole lot of short passes, runs, and huddles. Fans were screaming for urgency. The broadcast crew was questioning the pace. Social media was melting down.
And then Dan Campbell stepped to the podium and explained exactly why the Lions played it the way they did.
Campbell Knew Fans Would Hate It
Before the question was even finished, Campbell acknowledged the frustration he knew was coming.
“I know that’s frustrating when you’re a fan watching.”
And he wasn’t wrong. Detroit needed a touchdown, momentum was slipping, and the clock kept bleeding.
But Campbell made it clear: the strategy wasn’t accidental. It was intentional.
Playing for the Last Shot
Instead of rushing, Campbell wanted control. Total control.
“It was about playing for the last possession. We were going to do that.”
That line tells the whole story. The Lions weren’t trying to score fast. They were trying to score last, and leave Jordan Love standing on the sideline with no time to answer.
Campbell laid out exactly how he thought it would unfold:
“I was going to — defense was going to get the stop. We were going to use our timeouts, get one more shot to go win the game.”
It was a three-step plan:
Score methodically
Let the defense get a stop
Get the ball back one more time
The problem? Detroit never got past Step 1.
The Micah Parsons Factor
Campbell also admitted another reason for the slower approach: avoiding disaster.
“I wanted to keep it in our hands… and not turn it into a pin your ears back and start flying up the field with Michael Parsons and those guys.”
That name — Micah Parsons — mattered. Even though he now plays for the Packers, the logic stays the same: Detroit didn’t want to get into a full-speed dropback scenario where their banged-up offensive line had to protect for long-developing routes.
This wasn’t Campbell being reckless. This was Campbell being protective.
So… Was It the Right Call?
That’s the million-dollar question.
On one hand, the Lions needed points. Fast. The slow pace reduced margin for error and limited the number of possessions they’d have left.
On the other hand, Campbell wasn’t wrong about the matchup concerns. The line was battered, the pass rush was getting home, and Detroit had already lost rhythm without Amon-Ra St. Brown.
He made a choice based on trust:
Trust in his offense to score
Trust in his defense to get one more stop
Trust in his team’s ability to win it late
Whether fans agree is a different story.
Campbell Stands By His Decision
The biggest takeaway? Campbell isn’t second-guessing himself.
“I wanted to play it just like that.”
No wavering. No regrets. No “maybe.” He believed in the plan — even after it failed.
And that’s the essence of Dan Campbell. He is who he is: Aggressive when it makes sense, deliberate when it doesn’t. Emotional at times, analytical at others. And always willing to back the decisions he makes.
The Bottom Line
Detroit’s final drive didn’t end the way fans hoped. But it wasn’t chaos. It wasn’t panic. It wasn’t confusion.
It was a clear, deliberate, and well-rooted plan, rooted in matchup realities.
Whether Campbell made the right call is up for debate. But he didn’t hide from it. He explained it, owned it, and stood firm in the philosophy behind it.
And that’s why the Lions remain a team built in their coach’s image, for better or worse.
Micah Parsons’ return to Dallas as a member of the Green Bay Packers left neither his team nor the Dallas Cowboys satisfied after their 40-40 tie on “Sunday Night Football.”
Though the Cowboys won’t be seeing Parsons again for the remainder of the regular season, owner Jerry Jones continued to talk about Parsons during his weekly media appearance.
After the tie game, Parsons called out Jones to say he never reached out following the blockbuster trade to the Packers for two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. Parsons went as far as to say that Jones “couldn’t tell me as a man.”
Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons lines up against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Jones responded to Parsons’ comment, saying that he never called because Parsons instructed him to take his number out of his phone.
“I really don’t want to respond to that at all,” Jones initially told 105.3 The Fan. “…but that phone call thing got stopped when he told me to take his number off my dial, so don’t call him anymore. So, I quit those calls.”
The high-scoring bout between both teams didn’t lead to any bragging rights, but Jones believes that it showed trading Parsons as the right move, saying that he feels “real good about our trade.”
Jerry Jones looks on before a game in January 2025 in Dallas, Texas, while Micah Parsons looks on during a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams in July 2025 in Oxnard, California. (IMAGN)
“Now, that’s a real good test,” he said. “I’m glad everybody got to see it, where it goes. And it left me feeling real good about our trade.”
Parsons collected one sack on quarterback Dak Prescott while finishing with three total tackles in the tie. It wasn’t the best statistical night for him, though he was able to tally three quarterback hits on Prescott, who he admitted would be “painful” to hit considering their long friendship.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones at training camp at the River Ridge Fields on July 27, 2025 in Oxnard, California. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
While it’s way too early to tell who exactly “won” the trade, the Cowboys’ first-round picks received from Green Bay for Parsons will ultimately be the crux of that decision – the Packers do have the better record at 2-1-1, while the Cowboys moved to 1-2-1 on the year thus far.
Despite being big underdogs in front of the home crowd at AT&T Stadium on Sunday night, the Dallas Cowboys played the Green Bay Packers to an unusual 40-40 tie Sunday night.
The result was representative of how both sides of the ball performed, as the offenses were unstoppable from the second quarter on, and the defenses could not buy a stop.
In one of the more unique games in the Cowboys’ franchise history, here are six takeaways from the result:
Without a defense, Cowboys will continue to falter
When the second half became a heavyweight fight with haymakers being thrown by both sides, the Cowboys’ defense just needed to find one stop any any point with how the Dallas offense was performing behind Dak Prescott and George Pickens.
Instead, Green Bay scored points on every possession after the halftime break, including the game-tying field goal in overtime.
With the offense scoring points in flurries and keeping Dallas in games, it won’t matter if the defense cannot stop a nosebleed. That proved evident Sunday night.
With three of the next four opponents having offenses ranking in the bottom 10 in yards per game, the time is now for the Cowboys’ defense to figure out its issues before the gauntlet that awaits in November and December. If it doesn’t, this will be a season wasted for an offense that simply deserves better.
Dak Prescott carried this team
This offense has had to play at an elite level to get a win and a tie this season with a supporting defense that, well, doesn’t support. But with Dak Prescott at quarterback, the Cowboys continue to find the timely plays in big situations to hang with opponents.
Statistically, Prescott is in the upper echelon of passers in the league through four weeks, and his timely play on Sunday night gave Dallas the plays when it was needed. In the second half, Prescott threw for 206 yards and two touchdowns to power the Cowboys to a tie. As he puts the team on his back — so much so that he was actually getting his back treated in the second half after taking a hard hit — he continues to find tight windows and open receivers in the smallest of fractions.
This defense may not do Prescott any favors all season, but in a season where his experience is really paying off in a league starved for consistent quarterback play, it could lead to an historic season for the 10th-year signal-caller.
Every team needs its gamer. And with Prescott, you can’t ever really count this team out from contention.
Brian Schottenheimer put his money where his mouth is
Throughout the week, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer mentioned that changes would be coming on the defensive side of the ball after a putrid couple of weeks defending the pass, and we saw some of those changes from the start.
Cornerback Trevon Diggs did not draw the start, as DaRon Bland’s return saw Diggs get exchanged out of the starting lineup instead of slot cornerback Reddy Steward. Also, rookie linebacker Shemar James was made active for the first time in his NFL career in place of Damone Clark. Marist Liufau drew the start instead of Clark and played his most snaps of the season.
It was a big change for a defense that was in dire need of something, anything, different after a really bad couple of weeks from defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus’ group. We’ll see how many of the changes remain going into Week 5 at the New York Jets.
George Pickens is showing his value
With wide receiver CeeDee Lamb out for multiple games, this will be Pickens’ best opportunity all season to prove his value ahead of an offseason where he will be clamoring for a new contract. With his rookie deal expiring at the season’s end, the Cowboys could franchise tag him or re-sign him to a new deal.
On Sunday, it took Pickens until roughly the five-minute mark of the second quarter to get his first reception, but the production came in a flurry afterward. In the final five minutes of that first half, Pickens hauled in five receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown in the final seconds from Prescott to give Dallas its first lead. In the final minute of regulation, a huge catch and run gave Dallas a 28-yard touchdown and the lead with 43 seconds remaining.
He’s not Lamb, but the Cowboys don’t need him to be. With his big play ability and strong hands, the Dallas offense showed that it can still move through his services while it awaits Lamb’s return.
Micah Parsons goes quiet in return
In what was hyped up as arguably the most intriguing return of a former player of the Dallas Cowboys in franchise history, Packers defensive end Micah Parsons was held relatively quiet in his first game at AT&T Stadium as an opponent exactly one month after being traded.
The Cowboys dedicated blocking help to his side throughout the night, as he failed to generate consistent pressure on Prescott. The game finished with Parsons technically getting a sack on a Prescott scramble that got back to the line of scrimmage.
Parsons briefly left the field in the third quarter and went to the medical tent with a back issue that he’s been battling since his time in training camp with Dallas. He returned and recorded just one tackle in the fourth quarter.
Coaching staff hires paying off up front
On the offensive line, the Cowboys were down two starters against the Packers as Brock Hoffman and T.J. Bass got the starts at center and right guard, respectively, because of ankle injuries to Cooper Beebe and Tyler Booker. As the Cowboys have heavily relied on the interior for running lanes through three weeks, they kept with the same game plan and continued to find success.
The Cowboys rushed for 117 yards and did not allow a sack against a ferocious Green Bay front. With so much working against the offensive line group, Dallas still found rhythm up front, something that has to be attributed to the insight and game-planning from offensive coordinator Klayton Adams and offensive line coach Conor Riley.
Both came in with a wealth of experience in creating running lanes with varied offensive line movement in their recent stops, and that has carried over in their first year with the Cowboys. When it comes to building a coaching staff that complements what he does as a play-caller, Schottenheimer hit a home run this offseason.
This story was originally published September 28, 2025 at 11:27 PM.
Nick Harris is the Dallas Cowboys beat reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He has experience working on the beat for DallasCowboys.com and previous work experience at Yahoo Sports/Rivals and 247Sports.
The Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers battled each other in an absolute slugfest on Sunday night, and it ended in a 40-40 tie.
The stakes were already heightened coming into AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, as Micah Parsons was making his return to play his former team. While his impact was felt, it was the offenses that really came to play.
The last two minutes of regulation underscored that.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) celebrates with Terence Steele (78) and others after catching a touchdown pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.(AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
The Cowboys needed to respond to a Packers touchdown. KaVontae Turpin returned a kickoff to near midfield. It only took four plays for Dak Prescott and the Cowboys to find the end zone. Following a 19-yard pass to Jalen Tolbert, he found George Pickens for a 28-yard touchdown.
Dallas drove 54 yards in 62 seconds to get the go-ahead score.
Green Bay was quick to get back up the field. Packers quarterback Jordan Love led the team down the field in seven plays to set up a game-tying 53-yard field goal for Brandon McManus.
In overtime, the Cowboys got the ball first. Prescott found Tolbert coming back to the ball to make an incredible catch on the sideline. Somehow, Tolbert got both of his feet in bounds to set Dallas up in the red zone. The Cowboys couldn’t get into the end zone. Parsons possibly saved a touchdown with a sack of a scrambling Prescott. It was Brandon Aubrey who hit the chip shot to go up 40-37.
It was Love’s turn to lead the charge. On third down, the Cowboys may have gotten away with a defensive pass interference call. But it didn’t deter Love. The quarterback found Matthew Golden to keep the drive alive.
The Packers nearly ran out of time to make a final throw to the end zone. But he was left with one second on the clock. McManus came onto the field to kick the game-tying field goal.
Love was 31-of-43 with 337 passing yards and three touchdown passes. Each of his touchdown passes went to Romeo Doubs. The wide receiver had six catches for 58 yards.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) throws a pass under pressure from Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons (1) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
Josh Jacobs was a menace on the ground. He had two rushing touchdowns to go along with 86 yards on the ground. He had four catches for 71 yards as well.
The Cowboys showed that they weren’t going to roll over and let the Packers walk all over them in their house.
Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons lines up against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
First, Dallas picked up a crucial two points when they blocked a Packers extra-point attempt in the second quarter. Markquese Bell returned the ball for the two points.
Then, the Cowboys took advantage as the Green Bay offense appeared to get complacent toward the end of the first half. Cowboys linebacker James Houston caused Love to fumble. He recovered it and gave Dallas a chance to score before halftime. Prescott then found Pickens in the end zone. Dallas had a 16-13 lead at halftime.
Pickens had an incredible game for the Cowboys. He had eight catches on 11 targets for 134 yards and two touchdowns.
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) runs the ball and holds off a tackle attempt by Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trikweze Bridges (25) in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jessica Tobias)
Prescott was 31-of-40 for 319 yards and three touchdowns. He was only sacked once.
Micah Parsons will make his Dallas homecoming four games into the 2025 NFL season when he and his Green Bay Packers teammates meet the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Sunday.
Parsons, widely considered a generational defensive talent, was traded to Green Bay back in August.
After failed contract negotiations, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones shipped his franchise player to Green Bay in exchange for Pro Bowl defensive lineman Kenny Clark and two future first-round picks.
Now, Parsons gets his revenge game against the team that drafted him with the No. 12 overall pick in 2021.
Parsons and the 2-1 Packers will face off against the 1-2 Cowboys on “Sunday Night Football.”
Owner Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys looks on prior to the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. Owner Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys looks on prior to the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. Sam Hodde/Getty Images
During his weekly radio appearance with 105.3 The Fan, Jones was asked about his team’s upcoming clash with Parsons.
“I think the world of Micah. I might say I wish him well but it’s obvious I don’t this weekend in terms of Green Bay winning the ballgame,” Jones said, via The Athletic’s Jon Machota.
“… He’s going to make some plays no matter how you play him, but when I saw (other teams) play us well with Micah in the game, and it did happen, then obviously we’ll be looking to try to run those kinds of plays (against him).”
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said on @1053thefan that he does feel an extra competitive drive to win Sunday with Micah Parsons returning.
“I think the world of Micah. I might say I wish him well but it’s obvious I don’t this weekend in terms of Green Bay winning the ballgame. ……
The Cowboys traded Parsons to the Packers on Aug. 28, just one week before the start of the season. Jones was asked if he regrets not trading Parsons earlier in the offseason.
“No. Not at all,” Jones said. “We needed this timing. We needed to be right here at the beginning of the season, in my mind, to get the highest value.”
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said on @1053thefan that he would not have traded Micah Parsons earlier in the offseason if he could do it over again. “No. Not at all. We needed this timing. We needed to be right here at the beginning of the season, in my mind, to get the highest…
Through the first three games of his Packers tenure, Parsons has 1.5 sacks, five tackles and six QB hits. In his four seasons with the Cowboys, the four-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro pass rusher amassed 52.5 sacks, 63 tackles for loss, 112 QB hits and nine forced fumbles.
“I think the most important thing is Micah wanted to be a Cowboy,” Parsons’ agent David Mulugheta said earlier this month, via ESPN. “He grew up cheering for the Cowboys, wore the blue and white at Penn State, wore it in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys. He wanted to be a Cowboy, and we did everything we could for him to remain a Cowboy.”
Sunday’s Packers-Cowboys game will kickoff at 8:20 p.m. ET.
With the NFC East kicking the season off with two divisional matchups. There’s already two teams with a division win, and a division loss.
The 1-0 Eagles currently sit 2nd in the NFC East behind a 1-0 Commanders team about to kickoff for Week 2’s Thursday Night Game against a 1-0 Packers that mortgaged the next few years on Micah Parsons getting them over the hump and to the Super Bowl.
Regardless of tonight’s outcome. The Eagles will get a look at two teams they won’t play until the 2nd half of the season. Which could be deciding factors for the NFC East Title, and maybe. The NFC.
Will We Have A New Division Winner
There hasn’t been a repeat NFC East winner since 2004, when the Eagles owned the division from the 2001-2004 division. Able to win the division with records of 11-5, 12-4(twice) and 13-3.
Last season, the Eagles came out on top of the division with a 14-3 record. Beating out the Commanders who finished with a 12-5 record of their own.
The NFL projected that the Eagles will finish the season with 11.6 wins, and that the Commanders will regress back to 10.4 wins. Will 12 games be enough for either team to win the division this year? And where will that place them amongst the rest of the NFC contenders like the Packers, Rams & Lions?
A Question For Week 18.
As always, the NFL scheduled every Week 18 matchup to be a divisional game. Even though most teams have clinched a playoff spot or been eliminated from contention weeks prior, the NFL still wants these matchups to “matter.”
So a week 18 match between the Eagles and the Commanders could bring the division down to the wire. Especially ending the year with two games against Washington, and a snowy trip to Buffalo in between. Week 18 has the potential to be worth all the marbles… 16 1/2 weeks from now.
The Detroit Lions found out the hard way in Week 1 that Micah Parsons is every bit as disruptive in Green Bay as he was in Dallas. Facing the two-time defending NFC North champs, the Packers unleashed their new star pass rusher, and the results weren’t pretty for Detroit.
In a 27-13 loss that looked worse on the field than the scoreboard suggested, quarterback Jared Goff was under constant pressure, and right tackle Penei Sewellhad one of his toughest outings as a pro. Parsons got to Goff for a sack and added several pressures, all in just 29 snaps. For a Lions offensive line that has long been a point of pride, it was a humbling reminder of the challenge ahead.
A New Rivalry for Parsons
Parsons, who was traded from the Dallas Cowboys to the Packers this offseason, admitted he’s been searching for a new personal measuring stick since leaving the NFC East. For years, his matchups with Eagles All-Pro Lane Johnson were must-watch TV. Now, Parsons says Sewell is the man he plans to test himself against twice a year.
“I’m not gonna be able to get rid of him,” Parsons said after the game. “He’s a hell of a player. I told him, I said, ‘You’re my new rivalry now. I don’t got Lane no more. It’s gonna be you. I’mma see you twice a year, so you might as well buckle up.’”
That’s a stern warning, and a sign that Sewell, despite struggling in this particular duel, has earned Parsons’ respect as a worthy adversary.
What It Means for the Lions
For Sewell and the Lions, the challenge now is figuring out how to respond. One rough game doesn’t define a season, but against a division rival, the timing couldn’t have been worse. Detroit’s offensive identity has long been rooted in physical dominance up front. If Sewell and the line can’t stabilize, it puts even more pressure on Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, and the rest of the offense to compensate.
The Lions don’t have long to dwell on it either. Parsons has circled this matchup as a rivalry, meaning every time these two meet, the spotlight will only get brighter. For Sewell, it’s a chance to turn a shaky opener into motivation for the next battle.
The Bottom Line
Micah Parsons didn’t just make a statement on the field in Week 1, he made one off it too. By calling out Penei Sewell as his new rival, he set the stage for one of the NFC North’s most compelling matchups for years to come. If Sewell rises to the challenge, Lions-Packers games will feature one of the NFL’s best trench wars every time they clash.
Micah Parsons will make his Packers debut later Sunday when Green Bay opens up against the Detroit Lions at home.
The star edge rusher was suddenly traded by the Dallas Cowboys to the Packers just more than a week ago, and the shockwave of the blockbuster is still rippling, to the point where word has been getting out about which other teams were in the running.
During Sunday’s FOX NFL pregame show, fellow league insider Jay Glazer shared just how serious the Eagles were, along with when exactly Dallas made up its mind to trade Parsons.
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman was apparently willing to part with some major draft capital.
“Micah Parsons asked for a trade about a week or so into camp, but what nobody knows is that Dallas actually made the decision to trade him a week or so before that. [The Cowboys] started putting feelers out, but what they were hoping to do was trade him to an AFC team. I think they were shocked. They could not get any traction anywhere from an AFC team.
“The team that actually threw in the biggest offer was the Philadelphia Eagles for two 1s, a 3, a 5, amongst other things. [Dallas] obviously didn’t want to trade him in the division, but the Green Bay Packers, they chimed in early, they kept with it, and Kenny Clark is what made the difference for Dallas.” [FOX Sports]
According to @JayGlazer, the Cowboys were looking to trade Parsons before he officially requested a trade, and they received a large offer from division-rival Eagles 👀
It’s a lot, obviously, but for the chance to put one of the league’s best edge rushers on the same defensive line as one of the league’s fiercest (and rapidly rising) tackles in Jalen Carter, it would’ve been easy for the Eagles to justify – especially so with a Super Bowl window open.
But the Eagles swinging that kind of deal with one of their biggest rivals was always going to be a tough sale, no matter what they would’ve reasonably put on the table.
The Eagles do seem to still be looking for more depth off the edge, though, as they signed veteran Za’Darius Smith following their Week 1 win over Dallas on Thursday night.
The Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers don’t need much help fueling their rivalry, but the blockbuster trade that sent Micah Parsonsto Green Bay has kicked things up a notch. And if you ask Amon-Ra St. Brown, it’s clear what the Packers are doing: they’re going all in.
St. Brown Reacts: “They Want to Win Now”
On the latest St. Brown Podcast, the Lions wideout didn’t sugarcoat it when asked about the trade.
“It seems like they made a splash play — they want to win now,” St. Brown said as quoted by Pride of Detroit. “That move screams, ‘we want to win this year.’ The Packers ain’t f***ing around. They want to win now.”
The deal shocked the league: Dallas shipped Parsons, a four-time Pro Bowler and one of the most feared edge rushers in football, to Green Bay. In return, the Cowboys received defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two future first-round picks.
How the Locker Room Took the News
St. Brown found out the way a lot of players do these days — by waking up to a buzzing phone.
A college roommate who roots for the Packers sent him nothing but a cheese emoji.
His running back group chat? A mix of panic and frustration.
“They’re like, ‘F***, Micah’s in Green Bay,’” St. Brown said with a laugh, remembering the moment.
But there was one silver lining for Detroit’s offense: no more Kenny Clark clogging the middle of the Packers’ defensive line.
“(He) was low-key a problem in the middle,” St. Brown admitted. “One of the best tackles in the game. Cowboys got a great player. But you trade one, you get the other. You get a freak pass rusher in Parsons. It just changes where the challenge comes from.”
What It Means for Lions vs. Packers
For the Lions, the trade is a mixed bag. Losing Clark makes the Packers softer inside, an opening for Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery to test the middle of the field. But adding Parsons off the edge means Jared Goff’s protection will be tested right away.
Detroit’s offensive line has undergone big changes this season:
Rookie Tate Ratledge at right guard.
Christian Mahogany at left guard after a strong rookie cameo in 2024.
Graham Glasgow moving to center after Frank Ragnow’s retirement.
That interior will need time to gel, but the edge duo of Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell may have to play their best football in Week 1 just to keep Parsons at bay.
Rivalry Fuel
The Lions and Packers already have bad blood. Detroit swept Green Bay in 2023, only to drop a key game last season in Lambeau. Now, with the Packers making a “Super Bowl or bust” move, the stakes feel even higher.
St. Brown has been a constant thorn in Green Bay’s side. In four straight games against the Packers, he’s caught at least five passes. Last year alone, he tallied 12 catches, 99 yards, and a touchdown in their two meetings. Expect him to be featured again, especially with the middle of the field looking like a prime target.
The Bottom Line
Amon-Ra St. Brown put it plainly: the Packers want to win right now. The Micah Parsons trade proves Green Bay is ready to swing for the fences, even if it costs them future draft capital and one of the league’s top interior defenders.
For the Lions, it’s another reminder that defending their NFC North crown won’t be easy. But if there’s one thing we know about this rivalry, both teams will come out swinging, and St. Brown will be right in the middle of it.
Against a Dallas Cowboys offense that was buzzing early, the Philadelphia Eagles had no problem responding. Quarterback Jalen Hurts commanded an efficient attack, despite some speculating that his top receiver, A.J. Brown, was far from 100% health during the game.
For all intents and purposes, Hurts played a mistake-free game. Even with a combined 37 passes and rushes, he was efficient and kept the ball out of harm’s way—something you couldn’t say about the Cowboys’ Dak Prescott, who had a great night.
If Hurts continues to play this mistake-free football with clutch plays sprinkled in, the Eagles could compete for the NFC’s top seed.
Eagles Had Struggles; Hurts Was Efficient
Hurts was as efficient as possible on opening night. He completed 19 of his 23 pass attempts (82.6%) for 152 yards, took one sack, and rushed for 62 yards and two touchdowns on 14 attempts. With 0.25 expected points added per play (EPA/play) and a 58% success rate on his dropbacks, Hurts led a strong offensive attack.
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Sure, his average depth of target (aDOT) was a low 4.4, but a high-end success rate and zero notable mistakes, other than that lone sack, make up for it. Hurts has certainly had more dynamic games in the past, but he took care of the football.
Even after the Cowboys’ Micah Parsons trade, they are still objectively a playoff contender in the NFC. With how good their offense is, getting about 10 wins is feasible. Philadelphia was far from perfect, having virtually zero impact from Brown and Jalen Carter, yet their win probability never dipped below 70% in the fourth quarter, per ESPN.
The Eagles are still ironing things out (they had, like, a million penalties), as are the Cowboys. But the victors’ performance against a still-formidable rival shows that if this is the version of Hurts we get full-season, the No. 1 seed is undoubtedly in play.
Of course, the importance of a bye week in the playoffs doesn’t need to be explained. It guarantees home-field advantage, an extra week of rest, and no “trap” matchups in the wildcard. Needing only one win to host the NFC Championship is a game-changer.
The Eagles weren’t at their best in Week 1, but Hurts was about as good as you could’ve hoped. If that’s the version we’re getting, it could be another fun season. Visiting the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2, anything less could result in a 1–1 record.
Micah Parsons hasn’t even suited up for a regular-season snap with the Green Bay Packers, and already, he’s taking shots at the Detroit Lions.
The All-Pro pass rusher, acquired in a blockbuster trade just 10 days ago, was asked Thursday about making his Packers debut in a rivalry game against Detroit. His answer? Straight heat.
For Lions fans, this is nothing new. Detroit has gone from a punchline to one of the NFL’s heavyweights under Dan Campbell, and with that rise comes some jealousy, and plenty of bulletin board material.
Parsons explained that his dislike for Detroit stemmed from his time in Dallas, where the Cowboys and Lions squared off three years in a row.
“It was just always a heavyweight fight every time they came in,” Parsons said. “They kinda got our guys when I was injured last year – the whole team was injured.”
That “fight” turned into a knockout blow the last time the two sides met. Detroit throttled the Cowboys 47-9 in Week 6 of 2024. Jared Goff was untouchable that day, completing 18 of 25 passes for 315 yards and three touchdowns.
Detroit’s Response? Handle Business
From a Detroit perspective, Parsons’ comments are more entertaining than threatening. The Lions have won six of their last seven games against the Packers, and if Parsons wants to dive into this NFC North rivalry with bad blood, Campbell’s crew will gladly oblige.
Parsons may not “like” Detroit, but if Week 1 goes the way recent history suggests, he’ll have no choice but to respect them.
This coming Sunday, the Detroit Lions will invade Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers in Week 1 of the 2025 season. If their latest injury report is any indication of things to come, the Packers could be a bit short-handed against the Lions.
Green Bay Packers Injury Report
As you can see below, the Packers have listed a whopping eight players as ‘Limited’ on Thursday’s injury report. Included as limited is Micah Parsons (Back), who the Packers recently acquired via a blockbuster trade with the Dallas Cowboys, and Jayden Reed, who is dealing with a foot issue.
Bottom Line
There is no question about it that the Packers look to have some concerns heading into their Week 1 matchup against the Lions, but there are still a couple of days left before the game. The Packers will release their final injury report on Friday afternoon, and their Inactives list an hour and a half before Sunday’s game.
The Green Bay Packers shook the NFL landscape when they acquired Micah Parsons in a blockbuster trade with the Dallas Cowboys last week, but there are already some concerns surrounding Parsons.
The four-time Pro Bowler is dealing with some back issues that could ultimately lead to him getting an injection in order to play in the Packers’ Week 1 matchup against the Detroit Lions this Sunday, and it has some wondering if Green Bay may have made a mistake in handing Parsons a four-year, $188 million contract.
Take analyst Skip Bayless, for example, who isn’t exactly brimming with excitement with the idea of Parsons in the tundra.
“Is it possible the Packers paid record money for damaged goods? Back issues can linger,” Bayless posted on X. “Not sure how Micah hurt himself – he obviously wasn’t practicing. In the weight room? Who knows? Good luck, Green Bay.”
Is it possible the Packers paid record money for damaged goods? Back issues can linger. Not sure how Micah hurt himself – he obviously wasn’t practicing. In the weight room? Who knows? Good luck, Green Bay.
Now, it should be noted that Bayless is a Cowboys fan, so this could merely be sour grapes on his part. But there is no doubt that there should at least be some trepidation regarding Parsons heading into the regular season.
The 26-year-old has an L4/L5 facet joint sprain in his back, and Dallas evidently had him on a physical therapy program before he was dealt.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 09: Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys sits on the sidelines in the first half of a NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on… INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 09: Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys sits on the sidelines in the first half of a NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Obviously, the Packers were fully aware of Parsons’ medicals when they landed him, so they weren’t duped. They just decided to take the plunge, sending defensive tackle Kenny Clark and a couple of first-round draft picks to the Cowboys in exchange for the superstar edge rusher.
Of course, it’s hard to blame Green Bay for being so willing to take the risk. Parsons is a dynamic game-changer when healthy, as evidenced by the fact that he racked up double-digit sacks in each of his first four NFL seasons and has accumulated 52.5 in total since entering the league in 2021.
But we’ll see if Parsons’ balky back is just a minor speedbump or if it becomes a monumental problem.
The Green Bay Packers shook up the NFC North last week by trading for All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons, immediately vaulting themselves into the conversation as division favorites. But the move came with risk: Parsons has been dealing with a back injury that sidelined him for all of training camp. With the Detroit Lions looming in Week 1, his health is suddenly one of the biggest storylines in football.
The Lead
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Parsons is battling an “L4/L5 facet joint sprain”, a legitimate back issue that the Cowboys were treating with anti-inflammatories and medication before trading him. While there was speculation that Parsons was exaggerating the injury to push for a new deal, the Packers have confirmed that the back problem is real.
Still, Parsons insists he’s ready to roll.
“Physically, I’m great,” Parsons said during his introductory press conference. “I think I can contribute a lot. I’m going to team up with the doctors in creating a plan. We already talked about how we can ramp things up and get me into a flow where they feel comfortable and I feel comfortable. But my plan is to be here. They didn’t give up what they gave up for me to sit on the sidelines and make this big of a risk and change for me to do that, so I’m going to give them my all.”
Limited Practice, But Trending Toward Playing
Parsons practiced with the Packers on Monday in a limited role. Packers beat reporter Matt Schneidman (The Athletic) noted that Parsons’ participation later in the week will be the true indicator.
“If Parsons is indeed a full participant on Wednesday, Thursday or even Friday, that’s a telling sign he’ll play in the season opener on Sunday. Maybe he won’t have a typical workload after not practicing all camp and nursing a back injury, but it would be a surprise if Parsons doesn’t suit up at all.”
NFL Network also reported Parsons could receive an epidural injection to manage the pain and get on the field against Detroit.
The Lions Are Preparing for Him
While Green Bay sorts out Parsons’ availability, the Lions aren’t banking on him sitting out. Dan Campbell made it clear on Monday that Detroit expects to see him out there.
“Certainly, we’ll have our eyes on that. We know what kind of player he is; he’s a really good player. But, we’ll have a plan,” Campbell said.
That plan will likely lean heavily on Detroit’s offensive line, one of the best in the NFL, anchored by Penei Sewell and bolstered by the addition of rookie guard Tate Ratledge. The Lions’ front has already proven capable of handling elite pass rushers, so while Parsons is a unique challenge, Detroit won’t be caught off guard.
What’s at Stake in Week 1
This isn’t just another opener. The Lions are coming off a 15-2 season in 2024, with an offense that led the league in scoring and a defense reshaped by rookies like Tyleik Williams and Terrion Arnold. The Packers, meanwhile, are trying to send a message with the Parsons trade: the division crown is up for grabs.
If Parsons is anywhere close to 100%, he instantly changes Green Bay’s defense. If he’s limited, though, it could be a long day against an offense that scored 564 points last year.
The Bigger Picture
The Parsons storyline highlights just how high the stakes are in the NFC North. The Lions are no longer the hunters, they’re the hunted. And Green Bay is banking on Parsons’ game-wrecking ability to flip the balance of power.
But as Campbell has reminded everyone all offseason, Vegas odds and flashy trades don’t win games. Execution does. Whether Parsons plays every snap or is limited, Detroit’s job remains the same: protect Jared Goff, control the tempo, and let their stars, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Jahmyr Gibbs, do the damage.
The Bottom Line
Micah Parsons says he’ll be ready. The Packers are betting on it. The Lions? They’re planning as if the All-Pro will be on the field. Either way, Week 1 just got even bigger, and Detroit will be ready for the challenge.
The Green Bay Packers swung for the fences, landing All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons in a blockbuster trade that sent longtime defensive tackle Kenny Clark packing. The move immediately shook up the NFC North race, with oddsmakers pushing the Packers ahead of the Detroit Lions as division favorites.
But if you were hoping to see Dan Campbell sweating over Vegas odds, think again.
TL;DR
Packers added Micah Parsons, and Vegas jumped them over the Lions in the NFC North odds.
Campbell is not fazed by Las Vegas listing the Packers as the new favorite to win the NFC North.
Detroit’s offensive line and offensive firepower make them well-equipped to handle elite pass rushers.
The Lions’ culture and roster depth keep them firmly in the driver’s seat.
The Lead
Asked if he’d use the perception shift as bulletin board material, Campbell couldn’t have been less interested. “Uh, no, we haven’t talked about any of that. Vegas has done what, again?” he said on Monday. “No, listen, that’s all good. To each their own. We haven’t talked about any of that.”
That’s Campbell in a nutshell. No time for hype. No time for outside noise. Just football.
Dan Campbell’s Thoughts on Micah Parsons
Detroit hasn’t fully game-planned for the Packers yet, but Campbell made it clear Parsons is on their radar. He even joked that some of their old preparation for Clark might carry over.
“I don’t know how much change necessarily yet,” Campbell said. “We’re not even into third down yet, so we’ll get more into that in the next couple of days. But certainly, we’ll have our eyes on that. We know what kind of player he is. He’s a really good player, and we will have a plan.”
Campbell then doubled down on the Lions’ readiness. “Look, you’ve got to be prepared,” He said. They’re going to find plays that they can use him in where he can excel. Like I said, we will have a plan.”
Why Lions Fans Shouldn’t Panic
Parsons is elite, no doubt. But let’s not forget:
Detroit’s offensive line was among the NFL’s best in 2024, keeping Jared Goff upright while paving the way for the league’s No. 3 rushing attack (2,488 yards).
The Lions’ offense led the entire NFL in scoring (564 points) and finished second in total yards (6,962).
This group has already faced and beaten some of the game’s toughest edge rushers.
Detroit’s blueprint hasn’t changed: win in the trenches, protect Goff, and let playmakers like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams do the rest.
The Bigger Picture
Vegas can set odds however it likes, but Campbell isn’t coaching for gamblers. He’s coaching for wins.
The Lions are fresh off a 15-2 season, their best in decades.
The roster is deeper than ever, with rookies like Tyleik Williams and Isaac TeSlaa expected to make an impact.
And the culture in Detroit? Still built on grit, accountability, and blocking out distractions.
As Campbell reminded reporters: Vegas doesn’t play on Sundays.
Key Stats & Further Reading
Lions ranked 1st in NFL scoring (33.2 ppg) in 2024.
Jared Goff threw for 4,629 yards and 37 TDs last season.
The Packers made noise with the Parsons trade, but Campbell isn’t taking the bait. Detroit isn’t focused on odds or narratives, only preparation and execution. As he put it best: “We will have a plan.”
For the second time in under a calendar year, the city of Dallas and the sports fans in that town were sideswiped by a massive, landscape-changing sports trade. Back on February 1, deep into a Saturday night, the Dallas Mavericks traded all-world forward Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, a move that resulted in protests outside the Mavericks arena, and chants of “Fire Nico” (for Nico Harrison, Mac’s GM) inside the arena.
This time, it was Cowboys owner (and sadly, their GM) Jerry Jones deciding that the appropriate ending to the Micah Carson’s contract stalemate was to trade Parsons to the Green Bay Packers for a couple first round picks and DT Kenny Clark. In the process, Parsons wound up with a four-year contract extension worth up to $188 million, making him the highest paid non-QB in NFL history, at $47 million per year.
There is no need to do winners and losers for this trade. The winner is obviously David Mulugheta, Parsons’ agent with whom, for some reason, Jones decided to make this whole thing personal. Much the same way Mulugheta was able to engineer a record-breaking contract for Deshaun Watson as an adjunct to a trade, he did the same thing for Parsons, de-pantsing Jones in the process.
Parsons’ resume speaks for itself — four time Pro Bowler, three time All Pro, 52.5 sacks in four years, and most importantly, a player whose most measurable impact was the fact that, over the past four years, the Cowboys were the league’s best defense with Parsons on the field, by EPA per play. Across 1,039 snaps, those same Cowboys immediately became the league’s worst defense by the same metric when Parsons was mot on the field.
The Packers are now +1200 to win the Super Bowl, as they were +2200 before the trade, while the Cowboys Super Bowl odds go from +4700 to +5500.
That about sums up the big picture angle son the deal, but I do have a few Houston Texans related thoughts after the execution of this trade. Here you go:
If you’re having flashbacks to bad Texans trades, here are the two that should haunt you The DeAndre Hopkins trade and the Jadeveon Clowney trade. This Micah Parsons trade had the worst elements of both of those deals, almost as if those two trades had a baby with each other. The subpar compensation for an elite football player harkened back to the (even worse) second round pick and David Johnson that Bill O’Brien received for Hopkins, and the late suboptimal late August timing of the deal harkened back to the August 31, 2019 trade of Clowney to the Seahawks.
Be glad that Cal McNair is your team’s owner I’ll bet you wouldn’t have been saying this four years ago, as the Texans were embarking on another season of Jack Easterby in the building and David Curley as the head coach, but here we are. The hires of Nick Caserio as the GM, and DeMeco Ryans as the head coach look like genius moves, and unlike Jerry Jones, Cal McNair is not going to involve himself in transactions like these. Cal cuts the checks, and then unleashes capable employees to go do their jobs, which is EXACTLY what you want from an owner.
Will Anderson is going to be so rich So $47 million per year is now the high water mark for non-quarterbacks. After the 2025 season (March 2026 to be exact), Will Anderson, Jr. will become eligible for a long term, second contract. If he makes the leap in Year 3 that many expect, he might crack the $50 million per year barrier. Add in the likelihood that C.J. Stroud eclipses $60 million per year, and the salary cap calculus changes drastically for the Texans next year. One thing I can assure you — unlike Jones, Nick Caserio will not let things fester for months and months while both sides stare at each other. The Texans will try to get these extensions done quickly, as they did with Derek Stingley last March, a week after Stingley became extension eligible.
Imagine this, Philly. The Dallas Cowboys — with a fresh start once again to begin the 2025 NFL Season — not only have to commence the season in the bosom of the home of their arch rival — but from a box high above the field — Jerry Jones will get a good view of the raising of the Eagles championship banner.
For Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie — it’s been quite a journey for his franchise to achieve prominence. After nearly two decades of being the class of the NFC — his Eagles finally advanced to the realm of sports euphoria after out-dueling New England in Super Bowl LII in 2018, advancing to the big game again in 2023, and brought the Lombardi Trophy home in Super Bowl LIX last year.
Photo Courtesy of Wiki Commons.
For Cowboy’s owner — Jerry Jones — the reality is much worse. There was a time when bold moves from an oil tycoon and his Head Coach from the University of Miami bundled an aging Herschel Walker in return for draft selections that would deliver them a dynasty. Thirty-five years later — the end of Jones’ dynasty with a championship in 1995 — would be the end of the best time of his ownership of the Cowboys. Since 1996 — the Cowboys have advanced to the playoffs thirteen times — never again reaching a Conference Championship Game again. In August (Jones) exchanged Parsons to the Packers in exchange for (two) 1st round picks and defensive tackle (Kenny) Clark.
In the end — it would be the Eagles would contribute to the end of the Cowboys. Twenty-six years ago — the (Eagles) Coach Reid and Donovan (McNabb) were part of a team that opened the season in Dallas amid scorching temperatures— Troy Aikman threw a pick six to Jeremiah Trotter, went 0–5, and wound up in the hospital with a concussion. That next season would be his last. The same year at Veterans Stadium — Tim Hauck hit Michael Irvin effectively ending his career. In 2003 — Emmitt Smith’s last game with the Cowboys ended with a screen pass intercepted by Shawn Barber.
Last season — a video surfaced of Jerry Jones being heckled at Lincoln Financial Field. This year — without Micah Parsons and a team going sideways — the trip on Thursday night could be much, much worse for Jerry.
