Power Rankings: No. 15 Dallas Cowboys

[Cowboysrule122]

By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com


A weekly examination of the Cowboys’ ESPN.com Power Ranking:

Preseason: 20| Last week: 15 | ESPN.com Power Ranking since 2002

A 31-7 dismantling of the St. Louis Rams did nothing to change the minds of the ESPN.com voters in this week’s Power Rankings. The Dallas Cowboys remain at No. 15 for the second straight week.

But even by staying the same the Cowboys’ lead over their NFC East brethren increased, with the Philadelphia Eagles dropping to No. 23, the Washington Redskins to No. 27 and the New York Giants to No. 29.

Dan Graziano gave the Cowboys their highest ranking at No. 11, and Kevin Seifert had the lowest at No. 19, just one spot above where he had them after their 17-16 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2. The Chiefs now check in at No. 8 in the rankings, by the way.

Up this week is a trip to San Diego and the 19th-ranked Chargers. Is it too early to think about an undefeated Peyton Manning bringing the No. 2-ranked Denver Broncos to AT&T Stadium on Oct. 6? Probably, but it will only happen if the Cowboys take care of business against San Diego.

The Cowboys certainly can't think of Manning yet, even if fans and media can. This is a team that has been 8-8 over the past two years and has to prove it can handle prosperity.

 

[Midswat]

EMBRACE THE HATE

 

[Cowboysrule122]

I'm looking forward to the Broncos game. This outta be good.

 

[ZeroClub]

#15 seems very reasonable to me.

I know the rest of the NFC East has been rather bad so far, but at least one of them will rise from the ashes to semi-respectability. My guess is it'll be the Redskins.

 

[2233boys]

It'll be the Giants they are the better team

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

#15 seems very reasonable to me.

I know the rest of the NFC East has been rather bad so far, but at least one of them will rise from the ashes to semi-respectability. My guess is it'll be the Redskins.

Yep. Hence why they are currently 0-3, and have given up more than 1,500 yards in 3 games --- the most ever over such a stretch in the history of the NFL.

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

It'll be the Giants they are the better team

Yep. That's why they are 0-3.

 

[Midswat]

Chargers are going to be a good test.

I could see us losing that game, then beating the Broncos.

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

Chargers are going to be a good test.

I could see us losing that game, then beating the Broncos.

Yeah, thinking the same.

 

[cboys72]

Bronco game reminds me of the last time we faced Peyton.

Hopefully we can have similar success, but this Denver team is massive upgrade from that colts team.

 

[Sheik]

Chargers are capable of murdering the Cowboys.

Denver is on a whole other level of greatness.

 

[Hoofbite]

It'll be the Giants they are the better team

I would be shocked if the Giants do much at all.

The East is just dogshit across the board, with Dallas being slightly warming after having been pooped out last.

Easily the worst division in the NFC. Every other division has a 3 win team I think. Entire east has 3 wins.

 

[Hoofbite]

Chargers are going to be a good test.

I could see us losing that game, then beating the Broncos.

That's the theme the team has followed but I really doubt it. Dallas has mustered a game against the top dog before but I just don't think that Dallas is good enough on their best day to beat the Broncos. I think Dallas will beat the Chargers. Whatever outcome occurs from the Broncos game doesn't really matter so much. They are the best team in the NFL right now and I don't think Dallas will beat them. I just want a solid game that shows the team is actually improving on their every other week or every 3rd week vacation pattern.

Good game against the Broncos (win or lose) and I'll start seeing improvement. If they come out and look like they can't compete at all, we'll know that Dallas is basically what they have been for the past two years.

For some reason I expect a win in San Diego. I'm not quite sure why.

 

[2233boys]

Yep. That's why they are 0-3.

Regardless they are still a better team.

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

Bronco game reminds me of the last time we faced Peyton.

Hopefully we can have similar success, but this Denver team is massive upgrade from that colts team.

How so? Sorry, Thomas and Decker are a good duo, but they are not better than what Marvin Harris and Wayne in their prime. Joseph Addai was a better RB than whomever they have at that position currently. Julius Thomas has potential, but he's no Dallas Clark.

On defense, the two teams might be similar, although I don't see any player on the Broncos that would be considered of remotely being in Freeney's league or Mathis and Bob Sanders.

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

Regardless they are still a better team.

Please explain.

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

Chargers are capable of murdering the Cowboys.

Denver is on a whole other level of greatness.

Chargers have problems with their OL. Their 1st round draft pick, D.J. Fluker, is returning from a concussion, their other OT, King Dunlap is out with a concussion, then they have one guy from their interior that is returning from an ainkle injury.

Then more than likely Malcolm Floyd will be out, in fact he is listed to be out indefinitely after sustaining a neck injury in the game against the Eagles.

 

[ZeroClub]

I think there's a decent chance that RG3 will return to form as the season continues. If he does, the Redskins will be a threat again. And a better offense will help their defense.

But who knows?

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

I think there's a decent chance that RG3 will return to form as the season continues. If he does, the Redskins will be a threat again. And a better offense will help their defense.

But who knows?

I think people are using the excuse of his injury. He seems to show no ill effects when taking advantage of prevent defenses. He's still a one-read QB, and he's pretty much been figured out.

 

[ZeroClub]

I hope you are right, Laz. That'd be great.