When the Dallas Cowboys dominated the New York Jets to improve to 2-0 Sunday, everyone was calling linebacker Micah Parsons an MVP candidate. The praise was warranted as Parsons has been unblockable through two weeks.
That’s not a surprise.
However, Dallas’ rival, the Washington Commanders, also improved to 2-0. While no one will say the Commanders are equal to the Cowboys, one of Washington’s defenders has been equally as dominant as Parsons.
Fifth-year defensive end Montez Sweat is playing on his fifth-year option in 2023. He can be an unrestricted free agent in 2024. Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio predicted Sweat’s numbers could explode in 2023 if he finished a few more plays.
Through two weeks, Del Rio’s premonition looks accurate. Sweat has nine tackles, three for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles, four quarterback hits and 11 QB pressures.
Parsons’ numbers are very similar to Sweat’s.
In Washington’s Week 1 win over Arizona, Sweat’s strip-sack and forced fumble flipped momentum to the Commanders and changed the game, leading to the game-winning touchdown. In Sunday’s win over the Broncos, Sweat had seven pressures and 1.5 sacks. It was also his first game back with Chase Young, who was equally as dominant as Sweat.
No one is disputing the greatness of Micah Parsons.
But maybe it’s about time the league started paying attention to Montez Sweat.