Parsons: It's 'prove-it week' for Cowboys

Micah Parsons believes the Dallas Cowboys' Week 3 home game against the Baltimore Ravens will say a lot about the team.

"To me, it's like a prove-it week," Parsons said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Todd Archer. "I'm not just putting anything on any of my teammates. I'm saying myself included, like, I need to step up. We all need to step up. It would hurt me more if we all didn't step up, if we all played down to that standard again because that just tells me we're not moving in the direction that we should be moving."

The Cowboys were embarrassed by the New Orleans Saints in their Week 2 home opener, falling 44-19. Dallas has allowed over 40 points in two consecutive home games, as its 2023 campaign ended with a 48-32 defeat to the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round.

"To have back-to-back embarrassing losses at home, I get the fan frustration, but I don’t think there’s anyone more frustrated than me," Parsons told reporters, including The Athletic's Jon Machota.

Parsons said after the loss to the Saints that he saw a different Cowboys team than the one that opened the 2024 season with a dominant 33-17 victory against the Cleveland Browns.

"The effort was not there", Parsons added.

Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who replaced Dan Quinn this offseason, disagreed with Parsons' assessment and said responsibility starts with himself.

The Ravens will be searching for their own rebound against the Cowboys after the reigning AFC North champions started the season 0-2.