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A look at where this week's power rankings have the Cowboys and the rest of the NFC East slotted.
The Cowboys are still in business in the NFC playoff race, but did the win over the Commanders just put off the inevitable for a few more weeks? Was that too little, too late?
That depends on what the rest of the NFC does over the last quarter of the season.
For now, this week's power rankings for your delectation.
Fivethirtyeight - No. 14 (LW: 15)
Elo ratings are a simple system that estimates each team’s skill level using only the final scores and locations of each game.
Yahoo - No. 14 (LW: 16)
The Falcons loss was good for the Cowboys’ playoff chances, but the Seahawks’ win over the Eagles was not. It’s looking less likely, with the Seahawks and Panthers at eight wins, that a 3-1 finish would get Dallas in the postseason. They might need to win out.
SI.com - No. 14 (LW: 19)
On Thursday they got their first win since the Ezekiel Elliott suspension began. If the Cowboys take winnable road games in Oakland and East Rutherford (the bad East Rutherford team) the next two weeks, they’ll be at full strength for a home game with Seattle and then a trip to Philadelphia to wrap up the season. This isn’t over yet.
NESN - No. 14 (LW: 19)
Dallas hammered the Washington Commanders to end their three-game losing streak. The Cowboys likely will need to win out in order to make the playoffs, though.
ESPN - No. 14 (LW: 21)
The Cowboys have gotten seven starts from rookies, all by members of the secondary -- Jourdan Lewis, Xavier Woods and Chidobe Awuzie. The trio has combined for eight pass breakups and two interceptions on 948 snaps.
NFL.com - No. 14 (LW:19)
Much-needed win for the Cowboys, who are hanging around in the wild-card race. The key to Thursday's win: dominance in the trenches. The offensive front played its finest game of the season, getting push on seemingly every running play. The defensive line took continuous advantage of a Commanders group that was playing a couple cans short of a six pack. That said, the guy who impressed the most was Alfred Morris. Oft-disrespected, Morris countered the peanut gallery by running hard, and with patience.
NY Daily News - No. 14 (LW: - -)
America's Team might not be dead yet. A showdown against the dysfunctional Giants is on the horizon. Too bad they won't be facing Geno Smith.
Sagarin Rating - No. 15 (LW: 17)
These are rankings based on W/L record, points differential and schedule strength.
Washington Post - No. 16 (LW: 24)
The Cowboys took care of business Thursday night against the Commanders and get to play the Giants this Sunday. They’ve endured four of the six games of RB Ezekiel Elliott’s suspension. But time is running short and they’re simply too far behind some very good teams in the NFC playoff chase.
Chicago Tribune - No. 16 (LW: 23)
They’re clinging to playoff hopes and pointing to a Dec. 24 home game with the Seahawks, but they have to beat the Giants and Raiders first.
USA Today - No. 18 (LW: 24)
Belay that obituary. Beat the reeling Giants and inconsistent Raiders on road, and 'Boys will be 8-6 when Ezekiel Elliott returns to fold.
Here's where Dallas ranks relative to the Eagles, Commanders, and Giants.
Wk 13
Wk 13
Wk 13
Wk 13
Yahoo
14
2
19
31
NESN
14
2
22
31
ESPN
14
2
22
31
NFL
14
2
16
31
NY Daily News
14
3
- -
- -
538
14
4
20
28
Sports Illustrated
14
4
18
31
Chicago Tribune
14
4
22
31
Sagarin
15
3
19
28
Washington Post
16
4
21
30
USA Today
18
5
20
31
Average
14.6
3.2
19.9
30.3
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