Cowboys power rankings: Dallas ascends after miraculous 3-game win streak

The last time we did a roundup of NFL power rankings for the Dallas Cowboys, the narrative around this team was much different. The team had just lost in embarrassing fashion to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football and learned that they’d be moving forward without Dak Prescott, Jayron Kearse, and Connor McGovern (in addition to the several already injured players to start the year).

Fans and analysts were begging the front office to look elsewhere for a free agent quarterback and the morale level was at an all-time low after just one game.

Now, the sadness has melted away and we are looking at a 3-1 team that has clawed its way out of a pretty dark place. After Week 1, the Cowboys’ highest spot in the rankings was No. 24, falling anywhere between nine and sixteen spots from the preseason rankings. Now, the Cowboys are working their way back up. The range is broad, but America’s Team is, at lowest, in the middle of the pack, and at best, in the top 10.

Let’s take a look at where the Cowboys sit on the top power rankings after Week 4.

The Dallas Cowboys make a big climb in NFL power rankings after their three-game win streak

Yahoo Sports Power Rankings: No. 9

This was by far the farthest jump. Yahoo thinks the Cowboys are in a better place than teams like the Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, and Baltimore Ravens.

NFL Power Rankings: No. 13

For the second week in a row, Dan Hanzus has Dallas at No. 13 behind the teams mentioned above. Hanzus credits the Dallas defense for this climb. He says that while Cooper Rush has certainly impressed, it’s the defense’s ability to not give up more than 19 points in any of their four starts that is taking pressure off of Rush to perform.

ESPN Power Rankings: No. 11

Per ESPN, the Cowboys jumped up five spots from No. 16 to No. 11 after Week 4. This spot puts them above the 49ers, Chargers, and Jaguars. Todd Archer says the team needs to work on stopping the run in order to get even better.

CBS Sports Power Rankings: No. 8

This is a Cowboys fan site, and we can even admit that this feels a bit high. The teams above Dallas here (in order) are the Eagles, Bills, Chiefs, Packers, Dolphins, Bucs, and Vikings. Their Week 5 opponent in the LA Rams dropped three spots to No. 10 after losing to San Francisco.

Bleacher Report Power Rankings: No. 14

While this is their lowest ranking of the bunch, it’s still pretty incredible when you think how low this team was ranked after Week 1. Here’s more from Bleacher Report:

"Backup Cooper Rush played arguably his best game of the year against the Commanders, completing 15 of 27 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns. The Cowboys haven’t just been winning. Or playing good complementary football. They are also getting healthier. Dallas got veteran wideout Michael Gallup back Sunday for the first time since he tore his ACL last January."

The Rams will be a tough matchup for Dallas. Let’s hope they can come out as a top NFC team and climb the rankings even further after Week 5.

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