In a much-anticipated face-off, the Dallas Cowboys showcased their strength with a decisive 30-14 victory against the Carolina Panthers. This win marked a significant moment for the Cowboys, who had not enjoyed a comfortable win in some time. While the offense, guided by CeeDee Lamb and Rico Dowdle, performed admirably, it was the defense that truly stole the show.
The Cowboys’ defensive coordinator, Mike Zimmer, is certainly earning praise from fans for his team’s performance, which has been consistently strong over the past month. Notably, Micah Parsons was instrumental in the game, recording two sacks against Panthers’ quarterback Bryce Young while consistently pressuring the backfield.
Odighizuwa has had an AMAZING season. Dude is set up to get paid in the offseason.
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa)
This leads us to the standout player of the day, Osa Odighizuwa. Odighizuwa’s performance was nothing short of remarkable; he finished the game with six pressures, one sack, and a career-high pass-rush grade of 91.6 according to Pro Football Focus. Only a few other top defenders in the league, such as Chris Jones and Zach Allen, have recorded more pressures this season.
Currently slated to become a free agent, Odighizuwa is showing every sign of becoming one of the most sought-after players come the offseason. Despite recent discussions about Dallas pursuing other defensive tackles in free agency, the organization must contend with budget constraints, especially with Micah Parsons expected to negotiate a record-setting contract.
Odighizuwa’s emergence has been crucial for the Cowboys, especially as he continues to build on a stellar season. His responses to the pressures of a contract year have proven that he is an exceptional talent that the team would be remiss to let slip away. Still, traditional patterns in team management raise concerns about the potential decisions that could lead him to a different team.
This game showcased not only the Cowboys’ defensive prowess but also set the tone for what could be a promising future for Osa Odighizuwa, should the Cowboys decide to keep their star player in the fold. Fans and analysts alike will be keeping a close watch on his future as the offseason approaches. Is Dallas ready to invest in homegrown talent like Odighizuwa, or will they risk losing a brilliant player to another team?
Will they make the right choice for the team’s future?
