The Dallas Cowboys climbed into the top 10 in several major power rankings after their 34-30 come-from-behind win against the Houston Texans in Week 4, but defensive struggles remain a significant concern. The victory on the road in Houston propelled the Cowboys up as many as eight spots, with ESPN slotting them at No. 12, NFL.com at No. 8, and SI.com placing them at No. 11.
The Cowboys’ offense is firing on nearly all cylinders, with Dak Prescott emerging as a potential MVP candidate. CeeDee Lamb's performance against the Texans was historic; he caught 17 passes for 189 yards and scored the game-winning touchdown with 40 seconds left, a feat Yahoo Sports notes has only been matched six times in NFL history. The offense's strength is further bolstered by the imminent return of All-Pro guard Tyler Smith, which should improve the unit overall.
Despite the offensive fireworks, the defense continues to struggle. Although the roster features different names and higher salaries compared to last season, the Cowboys have allowed at least 20 points in every game and given up numerous big plays and yards. Against the Texans, they conceded 30 points and nearly 400 yards, a figure The Athletic highlighted as worrying. NFL.com described the defense as a "dichotomy," noting that while the offense can carry the team, the defense remains a liability.
Special teams have also shown issues, including two blocked field goals and questionable end-of-game management against Baltimore, according to ESPN. CBS Sports called the win in Houston "big-time," emphasizing the offense’s ability to perform against a solid Texans defense but stopped short of declaring the Cowboys legitimate contenders due to defensive lapses.
Joey Porter Jr., the Cowboys' cornerback, stood out in his debut, with USA Today suggesting he might be the player Dallas should look to re-sign amid a noticeable decline in wide receiver George Pickens' production. Porter Jr.’s presence could affect the defensive dynamics, as SI.com mentioned that if he can shift the defense’s performance, Super Bowl aspirations might return for Dallas.
Bleacher Report characterized the season so far as another rollercoaster for the Cowboys. Their retooled defense has not improved significantly from last year, but the offense remains elite. The report noted that the team showed resilience after a last-second loss to the Ravens in Brazil the previous week, rallying late against Houston. The defense will have a chance to build confidence against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are currently without a win and led by an undrafted rookie quarterback.
The Cowboys face scrutiny from all sides as they prepare for upcoming games against Tampa Bay and Green Bay. With the NFC East struggling overall, Dallas is currently viewed as the division’s best team, but the defense’s inability to contain opponents threatens to undermine their potential for a sustained playoff run.
For now, the Cowboys sit in the top 10 of power rankings, buoyed by an offense performing close to historic levels but still waiting for their defense to match that standard.
According to Yahoo Sports.
