The Ravens did a masterful job of cornering Parsons, often using him as the primary defender to ensure Dallas’ best player was wrong regardless of who he was attacking. If the rest of the Cowboys defense can’t improve, more and more teams will put Dallas in such a mixer.

According to Next Gen Stats, opposing offenses have called for run plays in 51% of games against the Cowboys this season, +11.4% more often than expected (fourth highest in the NFL). The Cowboys have posted a league-high 54.4% success rate against designed runs and a rushing EPA of +24.3, more than triple the next closest team (Rams: +6.1).

Poor play was contagious in Dallas, as the Cowboys’ defense missed a total of 17 tackles against the Ravens, more than they missed in Weeks 1 and 2 combined (15). The Cowboys also allowed 158 yards on missed tackles, the most in a game by a defense this season.

“The start to the season wasn’t great, but like I said, it was humbling. That’s our test because without a test there’s no conclusion,” Parsons said. “I still have dreams of being a Super Bowl champion. I still have dreams and ambitions to go as far as possible this year and of course reach the Super Bowl.”

If the Cowboys want to keep Lombardi’s hopes alive, the defense will have to turn things around, starting with Thursday night’s contest against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.