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The Cowboys play one final meaningless game next week before the season is officially over. And for the Cowboys, that means their sights are set 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. 13 (LW: 14)
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: 13)
I know the SEC model of constantly wanting to fire the coach permeates the NFL at times too, but I’m not sure I get why so many people want Jason Garrett gone. Since 2014 the Cowboys went 12-4, in 2015 they went 4-12 but it was understandable when Tony Romo got hurt, last season Garrett led Dallas to a 13-3 record with a rookie quarterback and running back. This season wasn’t pretty but it also might have turned out differently without Ezekiel Elliott getting suspended. I’m not sure what firing Garrett accomplishes, other than appeasing fans who just want to see a coach fired.
SI.com - No. 14 (LW: 12)
No Cowboys commentary provided this week.
NFL.com - No. 14 (LW: 10)
First-and-goal from the 3: no Zeke. Second-and-goal from the 2: no Zeke. Third-and-goal... you get the picture. Much blame is being directed Jason Garrett's way this week after the loss to Seattle. It's headed toward Scott Linehan, who calls the plays, as well. Perhaps it's earned. Dan Bailey was awful. Dez Bryant was worse, although the ball he dropped that led to a K.J. Wright interception was thrown way too far behind him. And when you have a quarterback who sees the field and the defensive alignment and who audibles to the right play, a guy like Ezekiel Elliott can get the ball in a goal-to-go situation.
Sagarin Rating - No. 14 (LW: 12)
These are rankings based on W/L record, points differential and schedule strength.
USA Today - No. 15 (LW: 14)
Another difference between Dak Prescott's rookie year and 2017 – he had five fourth-quarter comebacks in 2016 but not one this season.
Washington Post - No. 16 (LW: 11)
Very little went as planned this season for the Cowboys, and there was nothing but frustration Sunday as they lost to the Seahawks and were eliminated from playoff contention even with Ezekiel Elliott back in the lineup. The Cowboys certainly can hope for better next season, with Elliott presumably available for a full season and QB Dak Prescott another year wiser following this season’s ups and downs. But that Super Bowl-filled future for Prescott and Elliott no longer looks as certain as it did at the conclusion of last season, does it?
ESPN - No. 16 (LW: 13)
Dallas just didn't have the same magic it did in 2016. After throwing just four interceptions last year, Dak Prescott has thrown 13 interceptions this season, four of which were returned for touchdowns.
Here's where Dallas ranks relative to the Eagles, Redskins, and Giants.
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| Wk 17 | Wk 17 | Wk 17 | Wk 17 | |
| 538 | 13 | 2 | 17 | 31 |
| NFL | 14 | 6 | 18 | 30 |
| Sports Illustrated | 14 | 7 | 19 | 30 |
| Sagarin | 14 | 2 | 17 | 29 |
| Yahoo | 14 | 4 | 18 | 31 |
| USA Today | 15 | 7 | 18 | 31 |
| Washington Post | 16 | 6 | 17 | 31 |
| ESPN | 16 | 5 | 18 | 30 |
| Average Week 17 | 14.5 | 4.9 | 17.8 | 30.4 |