The Dallas Cowboys had one of those uninspiring wins in Week 9 that left many fans almost wishing that they had lost. It was practically a rerun of the loss to the Arizona Cardinals from the previous week, but the Indianapolis Colts were simply a much worse team, fortunately or unfortunately.
And while it doesn't really matter what those outside the building are saying, or, even more literally, what anything other than the scoreboard and standings says, it always feels fun to keep a weekly pulse on what is being said about the most polarizing and talked-about team in American sports.
So, let's run through what all the major publications are putting out there about America's Team, and where they have Brian Schottenheimer's squad slotted in the power rankings. Here's a hint: the Cowboys have somehow fooled analysts into thinking they are better because of Sunday's win.
Dallas Cowboys post-Week 9 power rankings prove that America's Team has fooled some people
FanSided - Jason La Canfora
Current - 21
Last Week - 27
"I don’t buy anything about this team, but they have enough firepower to beat the absolute worst teams in the NFL, even if they only show up for part of the game. And under Brian Schotttenheimer, they only show up for part of the game most of the time."
Our take: This is quite the jump after La Canfora called the Cowboys a "joke" last week, but we will take it. And he is not wrong to point out that this Dallas team has been maddeningly inconsistent on a game-by-game and even quarter-by-quarter basis. 21 feels fair, but on the high side.
Current - 20
Last Week - 23
"Most important game of the second half: Week 17 vs. the Giants
"Quarterback Dak Prescott said every game the rest of the way is a "must-win" for the Cowboys, and he might not be wrong considering their record. But let's say the Cowboys manage to string together some wins and find themselves in the NFC East chase since the path to a wild-card bid is just too packed. That puts the Week 17 rematch with the Giants in the crosshairs as a potential winner-take-all meeting. From 2011 to 2013, the Cowboys faced a de facto NFC East title game in each regular-season finale and lost them all. They would love to have that kind of opportunity this season." -- Todd Archer
Our take: Prescott is right that Dallas can't afford any more slippages, and Archer is correct that the rematch against the Giants will be pivotal. Hopefully, at that point, the games still matter. Moving up three spots after that Cowboys win over the Colts, though, feels a bit rich.
NFL.com - Nick Shook
Current - 22
Last Week - 24
"The Cowboys won a game against an opponent in the Colts whom most have written off because their own front office is already looking toward the future. This victory won’t carry much weight in the larger picture, but hey, at least the offense broke 500 yards and the defense recorded a win-sealing takeaway."
Our take: A minor bump for getting a win is appropriate, but nobody should be crowning Dallas after scraping by a lowly Indianapolis team. Beating bad teams is still important, but you'd like the Cowboys to do so in more dominant or comfortable fashion.
Fox Sports - Ralph Vacchiano
Current - 20
Last Week - 23
"When the Colts took the lead on them late on Sunday, it sure looked like they were going to plummet deeper than one of Jerry Jones’ oil wells. But one big Dak Prescott pass bailed them out and the Cowboys live for another day, however barely. Brian Schottenheimer’s seat is getting pretty hot, though, and it’s still a mystery why they let DC Christian Parker back in the building the way his defense is playing. The good news for them is they’re about to start a three-game homestand. The bad news? It starts with the 49ers. Also, they’re just 1-3 this season at home."
Our take: Vacchiano clearly hasn't been watching, because the Cowboys' defense has vastly improved in recent weeks. The bar was low, but Sunday's effort was a winning one from Christian Parker's crew. If anything, the Dallas offense has been at fault for the theatrical games lately.
But yes, Dak Prescott bailed out Schotty and the offense, and Jerry Jones' oil wells run deep. I just wish he'd spend that money on a new head coach!
The Athletic - Josh Kendall and Chad Graff
Current - 17
Last Week - 22
"Midseason grade: C
"With another monster game Sunday (10 receptions for 195 yards and a touchdown), CeeDee Lamb became the first player in NFL history to record at least 70 catches and at least 900 yards in each of his first seven seasons. But the only team with a worse defense based on EPA per play is the lowly Dolphins, which is why the Cowboys are still under .500."
Our take: At a game below .500, an average grade feels appropriate. But considering how they wins have come about, and the way in which Dallas has lost some of its games, this team probably deserves a lower grade. And when it comes to how they've performed compared to expectations?
D or F.
Sports Illustrated - Conor Orr
Current - 27
Last Week - 21
"When you’re inactive with a hamstring injury, the best thing you can do is run onto the field—emphasis run—in sweats and force a 15-yard penalty to be called because you forgot the rules of football. "
Our take: Feels like an odd bone to pick, although what he's referencing was a boneheaded move by DeMarvion Overshown. However, for as bad a win as the Cowboys had over the Colts, it was a win nonetheless, and a six-spot drop is completely unprecedented after a victory. And wrong.
Current - 20
Last Week - 22
"Sunday's badly-needed win over the reeling Colts was the 2026 Dallas Cowboys in a nutshell—for better and for worse.
"There was good—over 500 yards of offense and big games from quarterback Dak Prescott, running back Javonte Williams and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. There was bad, as there is just about every time the Dallas defense takes the field. And there was ugly—14 penalties for over 150 yards.
"The Cowboys still have a pulse. But they are a deeply flawed team that isn't making any kind of real playoff run this year."
Our take: That is the 2026 Dallas Cowboys experience: Some good and some bad. Hovering in the middle. No matter who they're playing, they don't blow anyone out or get blown it. This is an impossible football team to figure out, but if you're not certain about them by now, that's a bad sign.
Average Rank - 21.0 (20.0 without SI outlier)
Average Rank Last Week - 23.1
Change - +2.1 (+3.1 without SI outlier)
Highest Rank - 17 (The Athletic)
Lowest Rank - 27 (Sports Illustrated)
Biggest Change - +5 (The Athletic) -6 (Sports Illustrated)
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