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Week 13 is still not quite over for the NFL as the Baltimore Ravens are scheduled to visit the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday afternoon (this is the fourth different time the game has been scheduled for so far), but as it is Tuesday it is power rankings time nonetheless. As far as the Dallas Cowboys were concerned, it was not a good week. Many people have likened this season to the 2015 campaign, and you will remember that back then the Cowboys were in an abysmal NFC East, won the week before Thanksgiving, had a lot of wind put in their sails of hope, and ultimately got blasted by a team coached by Ron Rivera. Some things never change.
It was predictable that the national media would be down on the Cowboys as a result. We have corralled power rankings from across the internet for you as we always do, and of course put together a list of our own.
You can view last week’s right here.
1 - Kansas City Chiefs (LW: 1)
When it comes to tiers in the NFL it is the Kansas City Chiefs all alone and then the conversation among everybody else begins.
2 - Pittsburgh Steelers (LW: 2)
Obviously the Steelers have not played yet, but they remain undefeated and should beat the Ravens in their divisional rematch. What’s more is that they host Washington next Monday (a game that was also re-scheduled). It will be fun to watch them host the Bills two weeks from now.
3 - Seattle Seahawks (LW: 3)
Thank you for doing the right thing and vanquishing the Philadelphia Eagles.
4 - Green Bay Packers (LW: 6)
It is quite possible that this is the best team in the NFC. Salt, meet wound. Ouch.
5 - New Orleans Saints (LW: 4)
They are 2-0 without Drew Brees, but obviously their most recent win was a bit hollow given the nature of it. Still though, a win is a win.
6 - Buffalo Bills (LW: 9)
When the Bills are on, they are a lot of fun. They let the Chargers hang around a bit too long, but the matchup against Pittsburgh in a few weeks will be a great measuring stick.
7 - Tennessee Titans (LW: 11)
Speaking of being on, goodness gracious.
8 - Indianapolis Colts (LW: 5)
They ran into a hammer. They should bounce back.
9 - Cleveland Browns (LW: 12)
THEY WILL NOT FINISH BELOW .500! WHAT A TIME!
10 - Los Angeles Rams (LW: 7)
It is disappointing to see that they dropped what felt like a must-win game against San Francisco. The clock might be striking midnight on Jared Goff.
11 - Arizona Cardinals (LW: 8)
There is usually no shame in losing to the Patriots, but people have come to expect more from the Cardinals.
12 - Las Vegas Raiders (LW: 10)
Where was the team that went shot for shot with Kansas City?!
13 - Miami Dolphins (LW: 15)
It’s hard to know exactly how good the Dolphins are. But it’s fun to watch.
14 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (LW: 13)
Could they possibly miss the playoffs? They are in desperate need of the bye week.
15 - Minnesota Vikings (LW: 20)
They will face the Buccaneers next week. If they win that game, they might take that playoff spot.
16 - Carolina Panthers (LW: 14)
Losing games like that often happens during the first year of building things. Carolina’s future is bright.
17 - San Francisco 49ers (LW: 25)
What an impressive win. Kyle Shanahan is something else. Unfortunately it will be a while until this group gets to truly play at home as their next two “home” games will be played in Arizona due to Covid-19 challenges.
18 - Baltimore Ravens (LW: 16)
It feels unfair to bump them down without having seen them this week, and it’s also hard to know exactly what this team will look like when the Cowboys play them in seven days.
19 - Houston Texans (LW: 21)
They looked great on Thanksgiving, but losing Will Fuller is going to significantly hurt this offense. Adjust your fantasy lineups accordingly.
20 - Atlanta Falcons (LW: 24)
What a turnaround the Falcons are having. It will be interesting to see if they buy into what is happening and double down on it for the future or fully commit to a rebuild in 2021.
21 - Los Angeles Chargers (LW: 17)
Justin Herbert deserves better. Nobody botches things like the Chargers.
22 - Washington Football Team (LW: 18)
The entire NFC East has dropped in rankings this week for me, because, well duh. I think Washington is the best squad overall, but they are all so bad.
23 - New York Giants (LW: 26)
The G-Men technically rose, but they might lose their next four games. Enjoy the week’s worth of hype, though.
24 - Dallas Cowboys (LW: 19)
Maybe the holiday season has me feeling too merry and bright, but I still don’t think this team is dreadful. Don’t get me wrong they are bad, but I could see an effective bye week giving this group some much-needed time to breathe and reset.
25 - New England Patriots (LW: 22)
It will be hilarious if they end up with one of the top quarterbacks in the draft.
26 - Denver Broncos (LW: 23)
Kudos to Kendall Hamilton for stepping up when called upon.
27 - Chicago Bears (LW: 27)
They are only not further down because everyone else is simply much worse. But this team is bad.
28 - Cincinnati Bengals (LW: 28)
Joe Burrow helps a lot.
29 - Detroit Lions (LW: 29)
I’d imagine we see a pep in their step this week from signs of a cultural change. The problem is they visit the Bears. What happens when a stoppable force meets a movable object?
30 - Philadelphia Eagles (LW: 30)
I’m not joking in saying that the Eagles continuing to let Carson Wentz hang out to dry for the world to pick on is a pretty mean move on their part. If they truly do value a future with him they need to get him out of there for the time being. Something is very off.
31 - Jacksonville Jaguars (LW: 31)
They made it fun at least.
32 - New York Jets (LW: 32)
Gross.
ESPN: 29 (LW: 28)
The worldwide leader also chose a most important game remaining for each team. Jason Garrett stands in the team’s way!
Most important game remaining: Week 17 at N.Y. Giants
It’s not because there will be a chance for the Cowboys to win the NFC East against the Giants. It’s not because they can extend their seven-game winning streak against New York. No, it’s the most important game because that will mark the end of one the franchise’s most disappointing seasons and allow it to turn its attention to 2021. From injuries to poor play to questionable coaching decisions, this season has been one to forget. The quicker it’s over for the Cowboys, the better. And they can turn their attention to a probable top-five pick in the upcoming draft. — Todd Archer
USA Today: 29 (LW: 28)
Pain.
Aside from recuperating QB Dak Prescott, All-Pro OL Zack Martin was arguably the player Dallas could least afford to lose as it tries to remain playoff-viable.
Sporting News: 29 (LW: 27)
Pain... continued.
Mike McCarthy hasn’t coached well at all in his first season with the Cowboys, as that Vikings game proved to be an anomaly. He’s being further exposed by bad QB play and even worse defense.
Yahoo: 29 (LW: 29)
This is a popular spot!
The failed fake punt will be the blooper that sums up the 2020 Cowboys. Coaches don’t just call fakes like that on a whim. They see something on film they can exploit and plan on a fake to take advantage of that. That’s what happened with the Cowboys. Sometimes the other team defends it. Still, when you’re a team as bad as the Cowboys and that happens on such a big stage, it looks terrible and you’re going to hear about it.
Sports Illustrated: 30 (LW: 27)
Well then.
The Cowboys have fallen to sole possession of last place in the NFC East, and their Thanksgiving loss to Washington had enough lowlights for them to show they belong there.