NFL power rankings: How far did Cowboys rise after blowout win over Jets?
The Dallas Cowboys got their first win since Week 2 with a 37-22 victory over the New York Jets. Following their first road win of the season, where did the Cowboys fell on various NFL power rankings?
Todd Archer, ESPN
[Javonte] Williams entered the season as the 33rd-ranked running back in ESPN Fantasy. After five games, he is ranked third. He has 447 rushing yards after running for just 513 yards last season in Denver. Williams has a career-high five rushing touchdowns this year — the Cowboys had just six last season. The Cowboys thought Williams would be their No. 1 running back, but they did not think he would be this productive. He is on pace for 1,520 yards, which would be sixth best in franchise history.
Ranking: No. 21 (last week: 23)
Diante Lee, The Ringer
If Dallas’s defense had just one high-impact player up front, it would make a world of difference, and the Cowboys might not have any losses at this point in the season.
Ranking: No. 19 (last week: 19)
Eric Edholm, NFL.com
You have to give Brian Schottenheimer and Matt Eberflus some credit for getting the Cowboys back to playing competitive football. The outlook outside of Dallas might not have been particularly optimistic entering the season, and that was even before Micah Parsons was traded, but the effort and execution have been far better than I expected. Outside of the loss to the Bears, the Cowboys have played pretty darned well this season — with CeeDee Lamb and multiple offensive linemen being out for chunks of it.
Ranking: No. 20 (last week: 22)
Chad Graff and Josh Kendall, The Athletic
Dak Prescott is rolling, and the running game has some momentum behind Javonte Williams. It was just the Jets (and their other win was against the Giants), but Dallas stormed out to a 30-3 lead and looked good throughout.
Ranking: No. 21 (last week: 18)
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
Dak Prescott for MVP. It’s real. He is playing at a really high level as the Cowboys are now 2-2-1 and far from done.
Ranking: No. 19 (last week: 23)
Conor Orr, Sports Illustrated
The Cowboys hired [offensive coordinator] Klayton Adams away from the Arizona Cardinals and turned into the most efficient running team in the NFL. Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals turned into literally the least efficient rushing team in the NFL. Sometimes, the simplest conclusion is the most accurate one. Adams, a mainstay on my rising coaches list, could be leaving Dallas sooner rather than later, too.
Ranking: No. 20 (last week: 21)
Frank Schwab, Yahoo Sports
Dak Prescott is playing very well. Prescott is also not winning MVP, as you might hear, unless the Cowboys at least make the playoffs. The only MVPs from non-playoff teams are Johnny Unitas in 1967 (the Colts went 11-1-2 and didn’t make it) and O.J. Simpson in 1973. Prescott won’t be the third.
Ranking: No. 22 (last week: 23)
Nate Davis, USA Today
Jake Ferguson’s 41 catches are tied for the most ever by a tight end through a season’s first five games. We’re now contractually obligated to remind you that he is the grandson of former Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez.
Ranking: No. 16 (last week: 20)
Thomas Valentine, Pro Football Focus
The Cowboys’ offense is hot stuff. Dak Prescott is playing at an MVP level through five weeks, and his 90.8 overall PFF grade is fourth among quarterbacks. The struggling Jets were next to feel the wrath of the Cowboys’ offense in Week 5, and Dallas has now scored 37 or more points in three games this season. At 2-2-1, the Cowboys face the Panthers in Week 6 and have the chance to close the gap on the Eagles atop the NFC East.
Ranking: No. 20 (last week: 22)
Ralph Vacchiano, Fox Sports
Don’t overreact too much to a win over the Jets, but when their QB is playing like an MVP they deserve to be in the top half of the league. Also, 77 points in their last two games with CeeDee Lamb out of the lineup is really impressive.
Ranking: No. 16 (last week: 20)
This story was originally published October 8, 2025 at 1:20 PM.
