There are only two weeks left in the NFL regular season. A season that was basically counting out the Dallas Cowboys, but no more. America’s Team is coming off of a big win against the Los Angeles Rams and as a result the rest of the world is now paying them a little bit more attention.
Where do the Cowboys rank heading into Week 16? What about the rest of the NFL? We’ve got the answers, and we’re so glad that you asked.
1 - Baltimore Ravens (LW: 1)
Lamar Jackson is very likely the league MVP. Good for him.
2 - Seattle Seahawks (LW: 3)
They are 10-1 in one-possession games. That’s interesting.
3 - New Orleans Saints (LW: 4)
Congratulations to Drew Brees.
4 - San Francisco 49ers (LW: 2)
They finally had a weird loss.
5 - Kansas City Chiefs (LW: 5)
They are getting hot.
6 - New England Patriots (LW: 6)
Recordings or not, they’re really good.
7 - Green Bay Packers (LW: 7)
This is an interesting team to try and figure out.
8 - Minnesota Vikings (LW: 9)
Next week is big for them.
9 - Houston Texans (LW: 10)
Where would you rank them in the AFC?
10 - Buffalo Bills (LW: 11)
They have arrived.
11 - Dallas Cowboys (LW: 18)
LOOK WHO’S BACK.
12 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (LW: 15)
Fantasy kings.
13- Tennessee Titans (LW: 12)
Ryan Tannehill was, in fact, stopped.
14 - Los Angeles Rams (LW: 8)
It feels like there isn’t enough talk about how Sean McVay’s team is not doing well.
15 - Philadelphia Eagles (LW: 16)
It took last-second comebacks to beat the Giants and Redskins.
16 - Pittsburgh Steelers (LW: 13)
They’ll probably still make the playoffs.
17 - Atlanta Falcons (LW: 20)
What a win.
18 - Arizona Cardinals (LW: 22)
Jarvis Landry seems to be a fan.
19 - Cleveland Browns (LW: 14)
Disaster.
20 - Chicago Bears (LW: 17)
Oh they didn’t put up 30 points? Wonder why.
21 - Denver Broncos (LW: 19)
It might be time for new management ultimately.
22 - Jacksonville Jaguars (LW: 27)
Gardner Minshew did not care about the last game in Oakland.
23 - Indianapolis Colts (LW: 21)
An offseason will be good for them to finally reset.
24 - Oakland Raiders (LW: 23)
Hello Las Vegas.
25 - Carolina Panthers (LW: 25)
It’s almost as if an interim head coach didn’t help.
26 - Miami Dolphins (LW: 29)
They’ve been fun these last few weeks.
27 - Los Angeles Chargers (LW: 24)
They have not.
28 - Detroit Lions (LW: 26)
This is a weird team.
29 - New York Jets (LW: 28)
Some things never change.
30 - Washington Redskins (LW: 30)
Same.
31 - New York Giants (LW: 31)
Samer.
32 - Cincinnati Bengals (LW: 32)
Samest.
NFL.com: 13th (LW: 16th)
The rise has begun.
The Cowboys entered Sunday riding a three-game losing streak, with doom in the air and a fast-improving Rams team coming to town. The stage was set for another humbling setback and a particularly voracious round of Jason Garrett obituaries. But then the game started, and the Cowboys played like the superior team in every conceivable way. Final score: 44-21. Dak Prescott threw two touchdown passes, and Ezekiel Elliott totaled 160 yards from scrimmage, with a pair of scores. The defense, shredded for 273 ground yards by the Rams in last year’s playoffs, held Todd Gurley and Co. to 22 yards on 14 carries. How fast can things change in the NFL? Suddenly, the Cowboys can clinch the NFC East with a win over the Eagles next week. Of course, it’s smart not to assume anything with this team, and to view any football “expert” who speaks with certainty on the Cowboys with extreme suspicion.
ESPN: 13th (LW: 15th)
Let’s party.
There could be a lot of change for the Cowboys, starting at head coach with Jason Garrett. Not even a playoff appearance would earn him a contract extension from Jerry Jones. While the Cowboys want to keep Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper and could have a way to keep both on the franchise and transition tags, the goal is to sign them to long-term deals, which is not a lock. They have 25 players who could be unrestricted free agents. A majority of the coaching staff is in the final year of contracts, as well. There is much work ahead. -- Todd Archer
Bleacher Report: 12th (LW: 17th)
A big jump.
One win over the visiting Rams won’t necessarily get the Cowboys into the playoffs. Or save Garrett’s job. But in blasting a Rams team that had been playing well of late, Dallas reminded us all that when firing on all cylinders, this team can beat anyone.
The Dallas ground game powered the win. Tailbacks Tony Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott combined for a whopping 248 rushing yards, and the team averaged 5.8 yards per carry.
The win sets up a Week 16 trip to Philadelphia that could define the Cowboys season. Win, and the Cowboys could be a No. 4 seed that no one wants to play in the Wild Card Round.
Lose, and all those doubters and naysayers will fire up the conversation machine.
Yahoo Sports: 12th (LW: 15th)
Moving on up.
I’m with Terez Paylor: The Cowboys’ win Sunday didn’t prove much. But at least it was something. They’re better than the Eagles and I assume they’ll win in Philly and take the NFC East this week. And the talent is there to actually do something in the playoffs. But the Cowboys have been awful most of the season, so I’m not counting on anything beyond beating a similarly awful Eagles team.
CBS Sports: 13th (LW: 17th)
Winning feels good.
That team we saw against the Rams could do some damage come playoff time - if they get in. That’s a big IF.