Cowboys’ Week 7 Power Rankings After Loss to Packers

The Dallas Cowboys have dropped in several national NFL power rankings after consecutive losses exposed continued problems on both sides of the ball.

Dallas fell to 2-4 following a 23-13 defeat to the Green Bay Packers in Week 6. The Cowboys’ offense, which averaged 30.5 points per game through its first four contests, has struggled to maintain that production, while the defense remains an ongoing concern.

The latest rankings reflect those issues, although analysts differ on how much confidence to place in Dallas moving forward. NFL.com ranked the Cowboys No. 26, ESPN placed them at No. 20, Yahoo Sports ranked them No. 21 and CBS Sports had them at No. 19.

Cowboys fall NFL.com and CBS Sports power rankings

NFL.com had one of the harshest assessments of Dallas, dropping the Cowboys eight spots to No. 26. The outlet pointed to the offense’s regression, noting that a unit previously viewed as the team’s biggest strength has become increasingly inconsistent. The defense was already a concern, but the recent offensive struggles have made it more difficult for Dallas to overcome its weaknesses.

CBS Sports was more optimistic, ranking the Cowboys No. 19 despite moving them down two spots. Analyst Pete Prisco noted that Dallas has developed unexpected offensive problems over the past two games, but the NFC East remains an opportunity for the team to recover.

The difference between the two rankings shows that some analysts still see a path for Dallas to turn its season around. However, the Cowboys need to produce more consistently before they can climb back toward the middle of the league’s rankings.

ESPN and Yahoo Sports also lowers Dallas

ESPN ranked Dallas No. 20, a six-place drop from its previous ranking. The outlet identified the running game as the offense’s biggest issue, pointing to the Cowboys’ 456 rushing yards through six games — their lowest total at this point in a season since 1989. The lack of consistent production on the ground has put additional pressure on Dak Prescott and the passing game.

Yahoo Sports placed the Cowboys at No. 21, down one spot from the previous week. The outlet highlighted how quickly the offense has declined after its productive opening four games. Dallas has averaged just 14.5 points across its last two contests, and the defense has not been good enough to compensate for that downturn.

Although ESPN and Yahoo Sports differ slightly in their assessments, both rankings point to the same concern: Dallas needs to restore its offensive balance. Prescott has thrown four interceptions over the last two games, and the Cowboys’ inability to establish the run has made the offense easier to defend.

Cowboys have an opportunity to improve against Eagles 

The Cowboys’ next opportunity to respond comes against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football. Both teams enter the matchup at 2-4, giving Dallas a chance to gain ground in the NFC East and improve its standing in the next round of power rankings.

The offense must find a way to handle defensive pressure more effectively, establish a more consistent rushing attack and get its playmakers involved. Defensively, Dallas needs to improve its third-down execution after Green Bay converted 11 of 18 attempts in the Week 6 loss.

There is still time for the Cowboys to turn their season around, but their recent performances have made it difficult to view them as a reliable contender. A win against Philadelphia would provide a much-needed boost, while another loss could lead to further declines in the rankings.