:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57775977/867949626.jpg.0.jpg)
Like the triangle said to the circle, this week's power rankings are pointless. But we're going to power on through them, because this is also part of the process.
But in case of the Dallas Cowboys, that process now is all about 2018, and not 2017 anymore. Finish the season with some dignity and then it's "on to 2018".
This week's rankings for your reading pleasure.
Fivethirtyeight - No. 15 (LW: 11)
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. 16 (LW: 13)
I’m not down on Dak Prescott. I am down on the group he’s throwing to. I kept expecting the Cowboys to take some shots downfield against the Chargers, but who do they have that can beat a defense deep? Dez Bryant isn’t getting that type of separation anymore; he’s doing most of his work on contested catches. Tight end Jason Witten has had a great career but he’s not stretching the defense. Dallas needs to significantly upgrade its receivers this offseason.
Sagarin Rating - No. 17 (LW: 12)
These are rankings based on W/L record, points differential and schedule strength.
NESN - No. 19 (LW: 14)
Quarterback Dak Prescott and the Cowboys’ offense continues to be an unmitigated disaster without suspended running back Ezekiel Elliott. Dallas has lost three straight games by a combined score of 92-22.
SI.com - No. 19 (LW: 14)
There’s more to this world than offense, but my goodness, the Cowboys have 22 points total over the past three weeks. That’s difficult to do in this day and age unless one of those weeks was a bye.
ESPN - No. 21 (LW: 13)
The rushing offense has actually been strong without Ezekiel Elliott this season. As a team, the Cowboys are averaging 4.7 yards per rush, the second-best mark in the NFL. They're also picking up a first down on 27.4 percent of their rushes, the highest in the NFL.
Detroit Free Press - No. 21 (LW: 16)
The precipitous fall of America's Team continues. They have not scored in double-figures in any of the last three losses. Sunday's game against D.C. is a virtual playoff-contention-elimination game.
USA Today - No. 24 (LW: 16)
Let's also give defense its share of credit for implosion as it’s surrendered 31 points and 413 yards per during three-game tailspin.
Here's where Dallas ranks relative to the Eagles, Redskins, and Giants.
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| Wk 13 | Wk 13 | Wk 13 | Wk 13 | |
| 538 | 15 | 2 | 19 | 28 |
| Yahoo | 16 | 1 | 15 | 30 |
| Sagarin | 17 | 2 | 16 | 27 |
| NESN | 19 | 1 | 17 | 30 |
| Sports Illustrated | 19 | 1 | 13 | 30 |
| ESPN | 21 | 1 | 12 | 30 |
| Detroit Free Press | 21 | 1 | 15 | 29 |
| USA Today | 24 | 1 | 13 | 31 |
| Average | 19.0 | 1.3 | 15.0 | 29.4 |