Sep 11, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons (1) reacts in the first quarter against the Washington Commanders at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

After the Dallas Cowboys' shocking trade of Micah Parsons, we knew the dynamic pass-rusher would change the Green Bay Packers' defense for the better. I don't know if anyone quite expected the results to be this dramatic, though.

Let's put it this way. Through three games as a Packer at the time of this writing, Parsons has been special. He is as advertised. He, in turn, has turned the entire Green Bay defensive unit into arguably the league's best. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Full stop.

With Parsons in the fold so far, the Packers are:

  • Third in total defense
  • First in scoring defense
  • Third in defensive expected points added (EPA) per play, per rbdsm.com
  • First in defensive DVOA, per FTN
  • Seventh in passing defense
  • Third in rushing defense
  • Eighth in sacks

That's uh, pretty dominant, I have to say. The Packers are getting exactly what they bargained for with Parsons. That's what makes Green Bay so scary in the contender landscape.

How has the Cowboys' defense fared without Micah Parsons?

On the flip side, the Cowboys' defense has been awful without Parsons. It would be disingenuous to say his absence has been the only reason, but Dallas hasn't really been able to stop anyone all season. The Cowboys allowed seven total passing touchdowns in Week 2 and Week 3, and their efforts are clearly not getting better. It's really hard not to think of what they'd look like with Parsons still around.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: How good has the Packers' defense been with Micah Parsons?

Reporting by Robert Zeglinski, For The Win / For The Win

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect