Micah Parsons had all the answers to the protections the Detroit Lions threw his way on Thursday, finishing with 2.5 sacks, four quarterback hits and six pressures (per Pro Football Focus) in the Green Bay Packers‘ 31-24 Thanksgiving Day win. However, the Packers’ star edge rusher didn’t have an answer to the most important question he was asked on Thursday.
As Parsons was awarded Tom Brady’s LFG Player of the Game, Brady asked him what a turducken was.
“They trying to set me up right there,” Parsons said while laughing. “I was about to say something crazy. Just a big turkey leg that’s juicy and delicious.”
Parsons certainly had a delicious day on Thursday, adding to his strong debut season with the Packers. Not only did the two sacks Parsons logged on the Lions’ final drive force Detroit to settle for a field goal in a 10-point game, but they also gave him 12.5 sacks on the season. He’s the first player in NFL history to record at least 12 sacks in each of his first five seasons in the league.
Tom Brady’s LFG Player of the Game: Packers’ Micah Parsons 🏆
The majority of those sacks have come over the last month as well. He’s recorded 10 sacks in the Packers’ last seven games, living up to the contract Green Bay gave him, which made Parsons the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
Following Thursday’s game, Parsons is on pace to finish with a career-high 17.5 sacks. But his play this year isn’t surprising him, even though he was sidelined for much of August before the Dallas Cowboys traded him a week prior to the start of the regular season.
“Going into Year 5, this was the year I thought I was going to make my big jump. I was going to be the best defensive player in the league. I feel like I’m doing that,” Parsons said. “I’m hitting on all facets in the run game, pass game and understanding situations. Just the full game. As a player, you’re just young, growing and very talented, but you’re still trying to find a way to put it all together. I feel like this is the year for me.”
Cleveland Browns star edge rusher Myles Garrett might have something to say about Parsons’ claim that he feels he’s the best defensive player in the league. He’s already got 18 sacks this season, making him the betting favorite for Defensive Player of the Year.
But there’s no denying that Parsons is among the top few defensive players in the league. He’s now third in sacks this season, starring for a Green Bay defense that entered the day fourth in yards and points allowed.
More importantly, Thursday’s win improved the Packers to 8-3-1 on the season. While they still trail the Chicago Bears in the NFC North, they’ve positioned themselves well to possibly win the division in the season’s homestretch.
As Parsons is thriving in his new home and possibly has his best chance to win a Super Bowl, he shared with Brady that he has a lot to be thankful for this year.
“It’s extremely special,” Parsons said of playing on Thanksgiving. “You just wake up in the morning feeling thankful. I’m just a lucky person because I’ve got my kids at home. I’ve got the kids for the holidays. I’m going to sprint home to the kids. I just miss them so much. I can’t wait to hug them. You realize how hard it is, Tom. I’m just thankful to be here. I’m just thankful to be in this game. I’m thankful to be representing the Green Bay Packers.”
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