The NFL announced its September players of the month on Thursday after the first three weeks of the season. Understandably, I opened the press release entirely sure that I was about to read the name that I expected listed as the NFC Defensive Player of the Month.

After all, Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons has been on a roll. His performance three games into the season has been so splendid that some have even posed the question, “when is it okay to admit he’s the best (even over Rams’ living legend Aaron Donald)?”

I won’t get into that final question in order to not take away from the overall point I’m trying to make, but how is Micah Parsons NOT considered the best defensive player of September?

The NFL opted instead for Tampa Bay Buccaneers LB Devin White. As justification, the league cited “24 tackles (eight per game) so far this season, with three sacks, three tackles for loss, two passes defended, and a forced fumble for 2-1 Tampa.”

We can get into Parsons’ stats later but just think of the impact he’s made for the Cowboys. He’s been moved around like a chess piece to attack each team’s weakness. In Week 2, his mission was to hunt Joe Burrow and rushed the passer almost exclusively. In Week 3, Parsons also rushed the passer but clearly prioritized defending Saquon Barkley in running situations.

Through three games, Parsons has 19 total pressures (#1 in the league), four sacks, six QB hits, and five stops, per Pro Football Focus. His less productive game from a statistical standpoint might’ve been his most impactful yet. The New York Giants put a huge emphasis on blocking Parsons last Monday night, giving other players multiple one-on-one situations to take advantage of.

Cowboys LB Micah Parsons had less statistical production in Monday’s win over Giants. “But God, he was so disruptive,” coach Mike McCarthy said. “He created a number of one-on-one opportunities for others.” pic.twitter.com/GD08xLiJTk— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) September 27, 2022

Cowboys LB Micah Parsons had less statistical production in Monday’s win over Giants. “But God, he was so disruptive,” coach Mike McCarthy said. “He created a number of one-on-one opportunities for others.” pic.twitter.com/GD08xLiJTk

You probably know the Cowboys like to move Parsons around a lot, giving him snaps at the defensive line (as a stand-up defensive end / outside linebacker) and as an off-ball linebacker. But even that doesn’t tell the whole story. Here is an even deeper look at his snaps by position tracked by PFF:

The thing is, the numbers not only back up Parsons as one of the best defenders in the league but they actually get to a point in which they’re kind of boring.

The Cowboys’ linebacker ranks near the top of many of these categories and they’ve gotten unsurprisingly good.

All of this brings me to this. Devin White has been very good for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But these NFL awards don’t seem to have caught up to more insightful stats and instead opt for old-fashioned box score stats like total tackles.

It’s almost impossible to make the case that White was better for the Bucs than Parsons for the Cowboys in September. As media outlets like PFF – and even the league’s Next Gen Stats – keep furthering the sport’s analysis, the league has to make a focused effort to follow their lead.

Featured image via Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports