NFL power rankings: Experts reassess Dallas Cowboys after blowout win
The Dallas Cowboys climbed up most NFL power rankings lists following their 44-22 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday.
Quarterback Dak Prescott and the offense continued their scorching start to the season with their third 40-point game of the year.
The Cowboys (3-3-1) next play the Broncos (5-2) at 3:25 p.m. Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver.
Where do pundits rank the Cowboys now?
Todd Archer, ESPN
After starting center Cooper Beebe went down because of a broken bone in his foot in Week 2, [Brock] Hoffman stepped into the lineup and the offense did not miss a step. The Cowboys have put up at least 396 yards in four of his five starts, and they scored 37 or more points in three of the past four games. He plays to the edge physically, but he has done a good job setting the fronts for a line that has the second-leading rusher (Javonte Williams) and an MVP contender at quarterback (Dak Prescott). Beebe is close to returning, but Hoffman has earned praise for his work.
Ranking: No. 16 (Prev: No. 22)
Chad Graff and Josh Kendall, The Athletic
For all the skepticism that came with Brian Schottenheimer’s hire, he has the Dallas offense playing like one of the best in the league. Now, the defense on the other hand? Not great. They might have the biggest discrepancy in the NFL between offense and defense.
Ranking: No. 18 (Prev: No. 23)
Diante Lee, The Ringer
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones got plenty of ridicule for his choice to promote offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to head coach without much of a comprehensive coaching search. But so far, Jones should feel major vindication for giving Schottenheimer the gig, because Schottenheimer is coaxing the best football out of quarterback Dak Prescott. I trust this offense to score 30+ points no matter who they are playing, and I’m leaning toward believing that’ll be enough for Dallas to be a fringe playoff contender.
Ranking: No. 15 (Prev: No. 21)
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
The offense is explosive and will be fun to watch all season. If the defense gets better, watch out for this group as a potential playoff team.
Ranking: No. 18 (Prev: No. 22)
Nate Davis, USA Today
They rank first in total offense and last in total defense. They’ve scored the third-most points per game and surrendered the third-most points per game. They made a great trade for WR George Pickens and made a terrible trade of DE Micah Parsons. Remarkable balance in Big D.
Ranking: No. 17 (Prev: No. 22)
Conor Orr, Sports Illustrated
The more incredible Dak Prescott’s season becomes, the more curious the involvement of Dallas ownership will be. This defense needs help in myriad ways. There are countless replacement options out there. There are trade deadline options out there. Jerry Jones said the Micah Parsons trade was made with the purpose of capturing a sustainably winning team in Prescott’s prime. What if that time is actually right now?
Staff, Bleacher Report
The Dallas Cowboys are a perfect microcosm for the 2025 NFL season: They are borderline impossible to figure out. That they played well at home against the Commanders isn’t a big surprise. Or that the offense was humming. But with wide receiver CeeDee Lamb back on the field, that offense found a new gear — 409 total yards and 44 points.
Ranking: No. 20 (Prev: No. 21)
Frank Schwab, Yahoo Sports
Dak Prescott and the Cowboys’ passing game gets all the attention, but the Cowboys hit big on a bargain signing of running back Javonte Williams. He had 116 more yards Sunday. He’s on pace for 1,438 yards this season. Nobody saw that coming.
Ranking: No. 15 (Prev. No. 23)
Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk
They’re the most fun team in the NFL to watch. Which may be good enough for Jerry Jones.
Ranking: No. 19 (Prev. No. 22)
Ralph Vacchiano, Fox Sports
The return of wide receiver CeeDee Lamb was huge for their No. 1-ranked offense. The Cowboys’ NFL-worst defense was even passable against the Commanders.
Ranking: No. 17 (Prev. No. 20)
