The Dallas Cowboys lost to the Detroit Lions last week and as a result they have a little bit more work to do with regards to making the playoffs. Thanks to the Los Angeles Chargers, that work appears less daunting than it did on Monday morning, but if the version of Dallas that went to the Motor City is what shows up for the rest of the season then it isn’t going to matter much.
For the most part the NFL is a week-to-week league and this week there are some concerns from across the internet as far as how the Cowboys are currently playing. They will have a chance to refute those claims on Sunday night against Minnesota, but until then people have an opinion and are sticking to it.
Here is our opinion on the current lay of the NFL land and how people across the internet view the Cowboys.
1 – New England Patriots (LW: 1)
Kings stay kings for now.
2 – Seattle Seahawks (LW: 2)
Is DeMarcus Lawrence going to join the other Cowboys who left that got to title games right away?
3 – Los Angeles Rams (LW: 3)
If they run into the Rams along the way then it will be hard to see.
4 – Denver Broncos (LW: 4)
There is no reason to doubt the Broncos, but they still do not feel as formidable as the other contenders. We will see.
5 – Buffalo Bills (LW: 5)
Snow games rock.
6 – Green Bay Packers (LW: 7)
That draft pick just keeps moving further and further back.
7 – San Francisco 49ers (LW: 8)
Please lose all of your remaining games.
8 – Chicago Bears (LW: 6)
You, too!
9 – Detroit Lions (LW: 9)
They got the win last week and it was super impressive how they fought for it. They still have work to do.
10 – Jacksonville Jaguars (LW: 14)
It looks like we have a division winner on our hands.
11 – Houston Texans (LW: 15)
Unless this team has anything to say about that.
12 – Los Angeles Chargers (LW: 16)
A win is a win, and getting one with your quarterback injured is something you are always proud of. Hopefully the Chargers bring a lackluster offense to AT&T Stadium next Sunday.
13 – Carolina Panthers (LW: 11)
How they finish the season is going to be very interesting to watch.
14 – Pittsburgh Steelers (LW: 20)
They looked very impressive. The true test will be to see if they can keep that form moving forward.
15 – Dallas Cowboys (LW: 10)
It is unbelievable that they could win out and finish with 6 wins in their final 7 and that it may not be enough. The hole was that deep.
16 – Philadelphia Eagles (LW: 13)
This team is fading fast. Whether or not the 8-2 record they had almost a month ago is enough to survive the end of the season is obviously going to be fascinating.
17 – Cincinnati Bengals (LW: 21)
They lost, but my goodness are they playing great. There are going to be so many what-if questions asked about the Joe Burrow era whenever it is over.
18 – Kansas City Chiefs (LW: 12)
Speaking of things being over! Every ride has to end. This one was certainly well worth it for Chiefs fans.
19 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (LW: 17)
Obviously the Bucs can still win the division, but they are just fading so much down the stretch.
20 – Minnesota Vikings (LW: 23)
See you on Sunday.
21 – Indianapolis Colts (LW: 18)
Their record is among the contenders, but now that they are without their starting quarterback… it is a tough scene.
22 – Miami Dolphins (LW: 22)
Serious kudos to them for how they have fought back after a horrible start.
23 – Baltimore Ravens (LW: 19)
They are running out of time.
24 – Cleveland Browns (LW: 24)
Sunday was fun for them, right? Maybe? Kind of?
25 – New Orleans Saints (LW: 30)
Go Kellen Moore!
26 – New York Jets (LW: 25)
Another wasted year.
27 – Washington Commanders (LW: 26)
My goodness this situation is hard to watch. Not really. But yikes.
28 – New York Giants (LW: 27)
Maybe the bye fixed things?
29 – Atlanta Falcons (LW: 28)
This is another strange situation. Everything is just so unbelievably bad.
30 – Tennessee Titans (LW: 32)
Watch out and don’t win too much. That number one pick is so valuable.
31 – Arizona Cardinals (LW: 29)
They have lost 10 of their last 11 games. Guess the one win.
32 – Las Vegas Raiders (LW: 31)
Gross. But let this be their week.
ESPN: 15 (LW: 15)
No movement here.
Most shocking statistical ranking: 27th in takeaways
With five interceptions and five forced fumbles, the Cowboys are on pace for 13 takeaways. They had 22 a season ago when the defense struggled statistically. In their three-year playoff run from 2022 to 2024, they had 34, 33 and 26 takeaways. The Cowboys rank 29th in turnover margin (minus-8) as well. The teams below them — the Commanders, Vikings and Jets — have won 11 games combined. — Todd Archer
A drop down.
The Cowboys’ playoff chances are on life support after the loss at Detroit, a game in which the defense reverted to old form and the offensive line couldn’t protect Dak Prescott consistently enough. CeeDee Lamb also was knocked out with a concussion, and George Pickens couldn’t pick up the slack — even if Ryan Flournoy did, in an eye-opening performance for the second-year pro. It will be interesting to see how much Flournoy is featured down the stretch and whether Pickens plays well enough to convince the Cowboys to make him a strong contract offer in the offseason. The Cowboys will still have plenty to play for down the stretch, even with the postseason dreams essentially cooked.
USA Today: 15 (LW: 14)
A teeny drop.
Three of their final four opponents are below .500. And if the Eagles continue to lose, that divisional window of opportunity could still open wide for “America’s Team.”
Yahoo: 14 (LW: 17)
A rise!
The Cowboys technically moved up in the rankings, but that’s artificial because the Chiefs, Buccaneers and Colts had to move behind them and others this week. Still, Dallas is playing at a near playoff level lately, and a loss at a good Detroit team doesn’t change that much. But starting 3-5-1 put the Cowboys in a place they couldn’t afford any losses, and now their playoff dream is all but dead.
CBS Sports: 18 (LW: 13)
More down movement.
They aren’t done yet, but the loss to Detroit was a major hit to their playoff hopes. They can’t afford another.
The Athletic: 18 (LW: 16)
They provided a worst-case scenario for every team as well.
Worst-case scenario: The other team having the ball
Only two teams this century have given up more points per drive than the Cowboys’ 2.74 this season. The 2024 Panthers and 2020 Lions each won five games because of it. This Dallas team has won six already because of how good its offense is, but it didn’t matter Thursday. The Cowboys posted 417 yards of offense and 25 first downs — and lost by two touchdowns.
Sports Illustrated: 15 (LW: 15)
We end how we began… no movement.
You can say the same about Baltimore as you can about the Cowboys: tucked underneath a moment defined by an inexcusably bad call are some even worse situational decisions, both in terms of clock management and play design. The Cowboys were hosed. But also hosed themselves.
Week To Week Movement
Full Power Rankings
See More:
