The Cowboys- and their fanbase- sorely needed the team's most recent 38-21 win in Philadelphia. Dropping to 2-5 would have meant the end of any realistic shot at making the postseason and might have kickstarted conversations- just as it has for the Eagles- about trading away any and all star players to amass draft capital.
Instead, there is at least a little hope in Big D. But that optimism has not really translated to experts' overall opinion of the Cowboys in their Week 8 power rankings.
Dallas remains in the bottom half of the league, though Monday night's showing did boost them by a couple spots, at least in most eyes. The Cowboys will have to show Week 7 wasn't a fluke (or desperation, or a case of getting up for a division rival, or simply
beating Philly's B-team) and stack a few more wins in order to climb back into the top half of teams.
Facing Arizona and Indianapolis in back-to-back weeks will give them an opportunity, but both matchups also present textbook traps. Good teams avoid those traps. Whether the Cowboys do that should go a long way in telling us where they belong.
ESPN: No. 20, --
"It wasn't supposed to be this way when the Cowboys put together their roster in the offseason. Their biggest free agent signing in a decade, safety Jalen Thompson, has missed the past four games because of a hamstring injury and hasn't made game-changing plays. First-round pick Caleb Downs has been OK at safety. The other first-round pick, edge rusher Malachi Lawrence, moved into the starting lineup in Week 6. [Otito] Ogbonnia, who signed a modest one-year, $2.75 million deal, has been the Cowboys' best run defender up front over Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark."
NFL.com: No. 22, ▲4
"While it’s certainly not perfect, it appears the Cowboys’ offense is back. Dallas racked up 416 yards against the Eagles’ defense -- which is supposed to be Philadelphia’s strength -- on Monday night, and received some welcome contributions from its own defense in the second half, capped by DeMarvion Overshown’s diving interception. Javonte Williams cleared 150 yards on the ground, the CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens connections with Dak Prescott were reestablished, and Dallas proved itself as the better team in this NFC East rivalry. Does that mean the Cowboys are totally back on track? No, but it’s encouraging progress."
The Athletic: No. 18, ▲4
"Even with the Giants’ surprising record, the Cowboys, after the way they played in Philadelphia, might be the favorites to win the division. Javonte Williams (155 yards rushing and a touchdown) was incredible, and Dak Prescott threw three touchdown passes."
CBS Sports: No. 20, ▼1
"Against the Eagles, that was the offense we expected to see from the Cowboys this season. If they can run it like that, they will be tough to beat."
Yahoo Sports: No. 20, ▲1
"There are still defensive problems. The Eagles, without several key starters on offense, including Jalen Hurts, moved the ball with ease on their first two drives that ended in touchdowns. But Dallas deserves credit for pitching a fourth-quarter shutout in a win it had to have. And the Cowboys' offense seems to be over whatever slump it was in. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer challenged the offense to find balance, and it responded with 204 rushing yards on 5.4 yards per attempt on Monday night. If the Cowboys can run the ball like that, they'll have a few more 38-point games. And they might need those types of games, unless the defense's fourth-quarter performance is a sign of improvement."
USA Today: No. 23, ▲3
"Perhaps the most encouraging component of Monday night's win at Philadelphia was the full reawakening of RB Javonte Williams."
ProFootballTalk: No. 21, ▲2
"The best solution for a bad defense is an offense that stays on the field for as long as it can."
SI.com: No. 19, ▲2
"This is more of a broadcast commentary than a football note, and I really don’t want to sound like I’m picking on Troy Aikman here. But with the inevitability of his departure so evident, why are we slogging our way through couples therapy every Monday? Eric Collins is literally almost passing out on every play. Can’t we find a middle ground?"
Bleacher Report: No. 21, ▲1
"After struggling for a couple of weeks, the Dallas Cowboys offense showed up for Monday Night Football. Dak Prescott threw three touchdowns, and Javonte Williams ran for 155 yards and a score in a balanced attack. Now that the Cowboys' high-powered offense has found its rhythm again, they should start moving up the rankings, assuming they beat the Arizona Cardinals at home in Week 8. Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown recorded an interception in his second outing of the season, which is encouraging for Dallas' much-maligned defense."
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Power Rankings Roundup: Cathartic win barely nudges Cowboys toward mid-pack for Week 8
