Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Dallas Cowboys Week 13 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: 9.2 (9th)
  • Best ranking: 7 (USA Today)
  • Worst ranking: 13 (CBS Sports)

Below you will find a Week 13 roundup for the Cowboys in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 10

The confidence drop is what happens when you lose three of four games. Good thing the Cowboys don't play in the AFC West, with losses to Denver, Kansas City and Las Vegas. The offense has stagnated, especially the ground game. Defenses have interrupted the pass game with aggressive play outside, which has led to Dak Prescott holding the ball longer.

The Cowboys' defense has given up too many big plays all season, but now, it can't come up with key stops and has too many penalties. Greg Zuerlein missed a PAT versus the Raiders, and a 59-yard field goal attempt hit the upright. He needs to be more consistent. All of the good feelings coming out of a Halloween win at Minnesota without Prescott have slowly leaked out of the balloon. -- Todd Archer

NFL.com -- Rank: 8

The Cowboys have lost three of four after a 6-1 start and feel like a team taking on water. Injuries have played a major role in the slump: Amari Cooper (COVID-19), Tyron Smith (ankle) and CeeDee Lamb (concussion) have all missed time, while Ezekiel Elliott has a lingering knee issue that could limit him the rest of the way. It has made the Dallas attack less formidable, and even the week-to-week excellence of Micah Parsons has been unable to sustain a defense that's missed DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) and Randy Gregory (calf). The bad news continued to roll in on Monday, when it was learned that coach Mike McCarthy and several others will miss Thursday night's game against the Saints after entering the NFL's COVID-19 protocols.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 13

They have lost three of four games and suddenly that Super look is gone. The defense was bad against the Raiders and now must turn it around on the road.

USA Today -- Rank: 7

The good news? No more AFC West teams left on the schedule to beat up on Dallas. The bad news? Injuries, a billowing COVID-19 issue that ensnared coach Mike McCarthy on Monday and a short week don't portend promising start to a three-week streak of road games.

The Athletic -- Rank: 8

Problem area: Continuity on the offensive line. The Cowboys are averaging just 3.6 yards per carry over their last three games. What used to be the strength of this team has become an area of concern. Dallas was rotating linemen early against the Raiders, but that didn't help. The offensive line ranks in the top 10 in holding and false-start penalties, and penalties were a team-wide issue in the Thanksgiving loss to Las Vegas. Luckily for the Cowboys, they still have time to snap out of it before the postseason.

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