I’m no NFL head coach or coordinator, but even I know the first thing you do when playing against the Dallas Cowboys defense is to make sure Micah Parsons is accounted for.
But the final play the Seattle Seahawks ran on Thursday night in their 41-35 loss to Dallas, Geno Smith revealed that the play call was meant to keep Parsons unblocked.
Now, before you totally lose it: As you’ll see from The Ringer’s Benjamin Solak, there’s a reason for that. It’s not the best reason, but it’s a reason. The play is designed to get the running back — DeeJay Dallas, in this case — the ball in the flat.
But when you’re talking about Parsons here, that seems … not smart. Because then this happens:
MICAH ENDS IT 😤 pic.twitter.com/FuMgBN4tsB
— NFL (@NFL) December 1, 2023
Here’s what Smith said:
Geno Smith says the #Seahawks’ last play was by design: right tackle pinches down vs 0 blitz, Micah Parsons unblocked off the edge, and he just couldn’t get the pass over him to RB DeeJay Dallas in the flat.
Parsons unblocked with the game on the line? That was the scheme pic.twitter.com/YJq0HWqVxH
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) December 1, 2023
And Solak’s explanation will help you:
Here's why Micah Parsons was unblocked on that game-winning pressure (it was by design)
And if you're like "Micah Parsons was unblocked by design?!?!??!"…yeah I agree pic.twitter.com/Sv9pZ3wjCp
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) December 1, 2023