Brian Schottenheimer's team got back into the win column on Monday Night Football to cap off Week 7, which effectively saved their season. Dallas Cowboys fans, and surely those in the building and locker room, were almost more excited about not losing than actually leaving with a sizeable win.
But the perception of this Cowboys squad is not changing until they take down a formidable opponent. The Philadelphia Eagles have underperformed and were short-staffed against Dallas in the primetime matchup, which knocked some of the luster off the game before it even started.
Just as was done last week, though, we scanned through the power rankings from trustworthy publications and have compiled them all here for you. While Week 8 has technically started already, it's never too late to see where things stand for the Cowboys after their most recent game.
Cowboys' post-Week 7 power rankings see incremental improvement, but nothing major
FanSided - Jason La Canfora
Current - 23
Last Week - 21
"Someone has to win the NFC East. I tend to think it won’t be them, and that Brian Schottenheimer will be looking for work by January if it’s not them. A decisive win over the depleted Eagles does quiet the noise for at least a week, though. Jerry Jones wants to trade for another defensive player but his offense has not been ascendant."
Our take: Oof.
It doesn't exactly feel fair that the Cowboys dropped in the power rankings after handling the Eagles, nor is it right that they trail the Houston Texans, who are 2-5 and just lost to the Giants, nor the Las Vegas Raiders, who have dropped four straight and got smoked by an undermmaned Rams team.
But the expectations will always be different for America's Team. And for what it's worth, Dallas is nowhere close to being out of the running to win the NFC East. If Jerry Jones sets off some trade deadline fireworks, that may only increase the Cowboys' odds of taking the division.
Current - 20
Last Week - 20
"It wasn't supposed to be this way when the Cowboys put together their roster in the offseason. Their biggest free agent signing in a decade, safety Jalen Thompson, has missed the past four games dbecause of a hamstring injury and hasn't made game-changing plays. First-round pick Caleb Downs has been OK at safety. The other first-round pick, edge rusher Malachi Lawrence, moved into the starting lineup in Week 6. Ogbonnia, who signed a modest one-year, $2.75 million deal, has been the Cowboys' best run defender up front over Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark." -- Todd Archer
Our take: Staying put after that win over Philly isn't really fair either, but it beats moving down. And tson adahey're ahead of the Texans and Raiders, so that is appropriate.
Archer is absolutely right that Ogbonnia has been the team's best offseason addition he leads the league in run-stop rate and may just be the best run-stopping defensive tackle in the NFL right now. Dallas has an embarrassment of riches on the interior.
NFL.com - Nick Shook
Current - 22
Last Week - 26
"While it’s certainly not perfect, it appears the Cowboys’ offense is back. Dallas racked up 416 yards against the Eagles’ defense -- which is supposed to be Philadelphia’s strength -- on Monday night, and received some welcome contributions from its own defense in the second half, capped by DeMarvion Overshown’s diving interception. Javonte Williams cleared 150 yards on the ground, the CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens connections with Dak Prescott were reestablished, and Dallas proved itself as the better team in this NFC East rivalry. Does that mean the Cowboys are totally back on track? No, but it’s encouraging progress."
Our take: Shook has come to his senses a bit after having a Cowboys-induced meltdown last week. He is correct that the offense finally played up to its standard, but also that Monday's win isn't some flashing light that Dallas is a contender. It was a step in the right direction, as this ranking is, too.
Fox Sports - Ralph Vacchiano
Current - 22
Last Week - 25
"Well, it looks like the Cowboys seem to have established themselves as the only team capable of chasing the Giants in the NFC East this year — though that’s not saying much. Their offense had little trouble with a decimated Eagles team, but man, that defense is still a mess. They’re lucky Saquon Barkley couldn’t stay in this game because he was threatening to run all over them. Not that doing that is all that difficult these days. All that money and they’re still giving up about 150 yards per game on the ground. That won’t get them very far."
Our take: At the end of the day, isn't the NFL all about winning your division? And if you're in the dance, anything can happen.
But Vacchiano is right; the Cowboys were fortunate not to face a fully healthy Barkley, and this team is still riddled with issues. But getting the job done against the Eagles was a good step in the right direction, and hopefully a solid building block for a run in the second half of the campaign.
The Athletic - Josh Kendall and Chad Graff
Current - 18
Last Week - 22
"Even with the Giants’ surprising record, the Cowboys, after the way they played in Philadelphia, might be the favorites to win the division. Javonte Williams (155 yards rushing and a touchdown) was incredible, and Dak Prescott threw three touchdown passes."
Our take: Wow, back in the teens! Not much here to riff off, but yes, the Cowboys are back in the thick of, if not still at the front of, the hunt for the NFC East crown.
Sports Illustrated - Conor Orr
Current - 19
Last Week - 23
"This is more of a broadcast commentary than a football note, and I really don’t want to sound like I’m picking on Troy Aikman here. But with the inevitability of his departure so evident, why are we slogging our way through couples therapy every Monday? Eric Collins is literally almost passing out on every play. Can’t we find a middle ground?"
Our take: Thank you, Conor, for ranking Dallas in the teens. And thank you for this riveting analysis about the Cowboys as a football team. I feel like a much more informed fan as a result of this commentary.
Current - 21
Last Week - 22
"After struggling for a couple of weeks, the Dallas Cowboys offense showed up for Monday Night Football. Dak Prescott threw three touchdowns, and Javonte Williams ran for 155 yards and a score in a balanced attack.
"Now that the Cowboys' high-powered offense has found its rhythm again, they should start moving up the rankings, assuming they beat the Arizona Cardinals at home in Week 8. Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown recorded an interception in his second outing of the season, which is encouraging for Dallas' much-maligned defense."
Our take: That all sounds about right. I could use a slightly higher bump for the Cowboys after that win, but it sounds like the good folks at Bleacher Report know that it should be coming after this Sunday.
Average Rank - 20.7
Average Rank Last Week - 22.7
Change - +2.0
Highest Rank - 18 (The Athletic)
Lowest Rank - 23 (FanSided)
Biggest Change - +4 (Bleacher Report, The Athletic, NFL.com)
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