Saturday, September 18, 2021

Dallas Cowboys Week 2 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2021 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the Dallas Cowboys rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 14.4 (15th)
  • Best ranking: 9th (USA Today)
  • Worst ranking: 19th (NFL.com)

Below you will find a Week 2 roundup for the Cowboys in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 13

Top rookie: LB Micah Parsons

Parsons wasn't the best rookie by default, either. An argument can be made that he was the Cowboys' best defender in the season opener against Tampa Bay. He had seven tackles and a pass deflection and did not look out of place when lining up in different positions. There were a couple welcome-to-the-NFL moments, like when Tom Brady threaded a pass to Rob Gronkowski despite sticky coverage. All in all it was a solid debut for Parsons, and the expectations will only continue to grow. -- Todd Archer

NFL.com -- Rank: 19

Moral victories only go so far in the NFL, but I'm guessing the Cowboys privately feel pretty good about themselves after nearly knocking off the defending-champion Bucs in the Thursday night opener. The defense created four turnovers while the offense has a legit MVP contender leading the charge at quarterback. Dak Prescott was a machine in his first game since fracturing his ankle last October, throwing for 403 yards and three scores on a ridiculous 58 attempts. Prescott was sacked just once, and he carved up a great Tampa Bay defense with the help of Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb, who just might be seen as the best 1-2 wideout combo in football by season's end.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 18

The offense will be fun to watch as we saw in Tampa. But this season will be decided by the defense, which wasn't good against Tom Brady.

USA Today -- Rank: 9

Encouraging start for QB Dak Prescott after shining in his first game in 11 months ... though far less encouraging start for a rebooted defense that merely needs to be average but didn't reach that bar in Tampa despite generating four turnovers.

The Athletic -- Rank: 13

Overreaction: Dak's back! Prescott threw for 403 yards, Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb both went over 100 yards and the Cowboys were one last-minute offensive pass interference flag away from knocking off the defending champs on their home field. It's Week 1, but the NFC East might even have a team with a winning record this season. -- Auman

Reality check: The Cowboys' offense picked up where it left off before the Prescott injury, and we have yet to see what it looks like when Dallas actually tries to use Ezekiel Elliott. Get ready for lots of shootouts. -- Jones

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