USA TODAY POWER RANKINGS - Cowboys #18

[Cotton]

[TABLE="class: ribbonfx rankings no-autorank, width: 1179"]
[TR]
[TD="class: ranking, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: team_slug"]Seattle
Seahawks[/TD]
[TD="class: record, align: center"]0-0[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_diff, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_hilo, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: notes"]They didn't lack much beyond legit red-zone receiving threat and special teams boost. TE Jimmy Graham, draft fix that.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: ranking, align: center"]2[/TD]
[TD="class: team_slug"]Green Bay
Packers[/TD]
[TD="class: record, align: center"]0-0[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_diff, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_hilo, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: notes"]ILB and CB depth are question marks, but otherwise a very good band with game's best frontman is mostly back intact.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: ranking, align: center"]3[/TD]
[TD="class: team_slug"]Indianapolis
Colts[/TD]
[TD="class: record, align: center"]0-0[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_diff, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_hilo, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: notes"]If they continue pattern of advancing one playoff run each year under Andrew Luck, they'll wind up reaching Super Bowl 50.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: ranking, align: center"]4[/TD]
[TD="class: team_slug"]Denver
Broncos[/TD]
[TD="class: record, align: center"]0-0[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_diff, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_hilo, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: notes"]Pencil them in as AFC West champs. Defense should be better. Peyton might even have MVP rebound. But window closing fast.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: ranking, align: center"]5[/TD]
[TD="class: team_slug"]Baltimore
Ravens[/TD]
[TD="class: record, align: center"]0-0[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_diff, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_hilo, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: notes"]Bolstered by what seems GM Ozzie Newsome's latest draft heist, they could be better than 2014 if passing game jells early.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: ranking, align: center"]6[/TD]
[TD="class: team_slug"]New England
Patriots[/TD]
[TD="class: record, align: center"]0-0[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_diff, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_hilo, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: notes"]They'd already come back to pack during offseason before Tom Brady's four-game ban. Rest of league now sniffing blood.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: ranking, align: center"]7[/TD]
[TD="class: team_slug"]Carolina
Panthers[/TD]
[TD="class: record, align: center"]0-0[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_diff, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_hilo, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: notes"]Could first two-time defending NFC South champs make it a three-peat? Need a better start, but D still class of division.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: ranking, align: center"]8[/TD]
[TD="class: team_slug"]Philadelphia
Eagles[/TD]
[TD="class: record, align: center"]0-0[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_diff, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_hilo, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: notes"]New QB Sam Bradford's ability to master and thrive in this offense is among the five most compelling preseason subplots.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: ranking, align: center"]9[/TD]
[TD="class: team_slug"]Buffalo
Bills[/TD]
[TD="class: record, align: center"]0-0[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_diff, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_hilo, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: notes"]They appear legitimately poised to finally snap a 15-season playoff drought ... assuming Rex gets at least average QB play.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: ranking, align: center"]10[/TD]
[TD="class: team_slug"]Miami
Dolphins[/TD]
[TD="class: record, align: center"]0-0[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_diff, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_hilo, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: notes"]Ryan Tannehill has quietly emerged as a fine QB and should better mesh with a stout D with his revamped wideout corps.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: ranking, align: center"]11[/TD]
[TD="class: team_slug"]St. Louis
Rams[/TD]
[TD="class: record, align: center"]0-0[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_diff, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_hilo, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: notes"]If Nick Foles is even OK, if rookie Todd Gurley is even 85%, promising group should be good enough to end playoff absence.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: ranking, align: center"]12[/TD]
[TD="class: team_slug"]Arizona
Cardinals[/TD]
[TD="class: record, align: center"]0-0[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_diff, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_hilo, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: notes"]So much to like. But will Carson Palmer's knee respond right away? How about defense that lost Todd Bowles and a few studs?[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: ranking, align: center"]13[/TD]
[TD="class: team_slug"]Minnesota
Vikings[/TD]
[TD="class: record, align: center"]0-0[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_diff, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_hilo, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: notes"]The Adrian Peterson saga has overshadowed emerging defense. Yet AD's return should have huge impact on Teddy Bridgewater.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: ranking, align: center"]14[/TD]
[TD="class: team_slug"]New Orleans
Saints[/TD]
[TD="class: record, align: center"]0-0[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_diff, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_hilo, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: notes"]A lot of signals to suggest the days of Drew Brees throwing for 5,000 yards are over. Expect a tougher, grittier outfit.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: ranking, align: center"]15[/TD]
[TD="class: team_slug"]Pittsburgh
Steelers[/TD]
[TD="class: record, align: center"]0-0[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_diff, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_hilo, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: notes"]With revamped D trying to coalesce and Le'Veon Bell suspended three games, will be nice to draw Brady-less Pats Week 1.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: ranking, align: center"]16[/TD]
[TD="class: team_slug"]Cincinnati
Bengals[/TD]
[TD="class: record, align: center"]0-0[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_diff, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_hilo, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: notes"]They might not be one-and-done in playoffs for a change because, frankly, they don't seem sufficiently improved to return.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: ranking, align: center"]17[/TD]
[TD="class: team_slug"]San Diego
Chargers[/TD]
[TD="class: record, align: center"]0-0[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_diff, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_hilo, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: notes"]Rookies Melvin Gordon and Denzel Perryman could be real shots in the arm. But will L.A., Rivers uncertainty doom season?[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: ranking, align: center"]18[/TD]
[TD="class: team_slug"]Dallas
Cowboys[/TD]
[TD="class: record, align: center"]0-0[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_diff, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_hilo, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: notes"]Lotta risks to upgrade roster (Greg Hardy a bust already?). And Dallas may yet lose its biggest gamble: Letting DeMarco Murray walk.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: ranking, align: center"]19[/TD]
[TD="class: team_slug"]Detroit
Lions[/TD]
[TD="class: record, align: center"]0-0[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_diff, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_hilo, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: notes"]No Suh. No Fairley. As much talent as this offense has, is it good enough to potentially have to win a shootout most weeks?[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: ranking, align: center"]20[/TD]
[TD="class: team_slug"]Houston
Texans[/TD]
[TD="class: record, align: center"]0-0[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_diff, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_hilo, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: notes"]After encouraging jump under Bill O'Brien in 2014, don't be surprised if they plateau or regress amid murky outlook at QB.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: ranking, align: center"]21[/TD]
[TD="class: team_slug"]New York
Jets[/TD]
[TD="class: record, align: center"]0-0[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_diff, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_hilo, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: notes"]They've improved as much as any team in the league over the past two months but still have ground to close on rest of AFC East.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: ranking, align: center"]22[/TD]
[TD="class: team_slug"]Jacksonville
Jaguars[/TD]
[TD="class: record, align: center"]0-0[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_diff, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_hilo, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: notes"]Despite loss of promising Dante Fowler, they should match combined seven wins from past two seasons given expanded talent.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: ranking, align: center"]23[/TD]
[TD="class: team_slug"]New York
Giants[/TD]
[TD="class: record, align: center"]0-0[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_diff, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_hilo, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: notes"]Passing attack could be really special in Year 2 under OC Ben McAdoo. It may have to be if run game, defense struggle again.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: ranking, align: center"]24[/TD]
[TD="class: team_slug"]Kansas City
Chiefs[/TD]
[TD="class: record, align: center"]0-0[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_diff, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_hilo, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: notes"]Offensive line remains a worry, especially if it can't provide Alex Smith enough time to maximize new WR Jeremy Maclin.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: ranking, align: center"]25[/TD]
[TD="class: team_slug"]Atlanta
Falcons[/TD]
[TD="class: record, align: center"]0-0[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_diff, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_hilo, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: notes"]Matt Ryan should post sick fantasy numbers. Dan Quinn might be sick, too, since Ryan's fantasy owners will win more than Atlanta.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: ranking, align: center"]26[/TD]
[TD="class: team_slug"]Oakland
Raiders[/TD]
[TD="class: record, align: center"]0-0[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_diff, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_hilo, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: notes"]Difficult to find many wins on brutal schedule, but they should be a much improved team even if record doesn't reflect it.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: ranking, align: center"]27[/TD]
[TD="class: team_slug"]Tampa Bay
Buccaneers[/TD]
[TD="class: record, align: center"]0-0[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_diff, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_hilo, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: notes"]Seems safe to say they're on the way back after running aground in 2014. But turning ships around is a laborious process.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: ranking, align: center"]28[/TD]
[TD="class: team_slug"]San Francisco
49ers[/TD]
[TD="class: record, align: center"]0-0[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_diff, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_hilo, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: notes"]How much are a hard-driving coach and 30-year-old workhorse running back (and team heartbeat) worth? We're about to find out.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: ranking, align: center"]29[/TD]
[TD="class: team_slug"]Cleveland
Browns[/TD]
[TD="class: record, align: center"]0-0[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_diff, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_hilo, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: notes"]A perfect way to shatter a young QB's confidence, assuming Johnny Manziel reaches the field? Play him against NFC West defenses.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: ranking, align: center"]30[/TD]
[TD="class: team_slug"]Washington
Redskins[/TD]
[TD="class: record, align: center"]0-0[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_diff, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_hilo, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: notes"]Has Jay Gruden bought into Robert Griffin III? How about vice versa? Everything hinges on this tenuous relationship.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: ranking, align: center"]31[/TD]
[TD="class: team_slug"]Tennessee
Titans[/TD]
[TD="class: record, align: center"]0-0[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_diff, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_hilo, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: notes"]Rampant youth on offense signals a long season, especially if Marcus Mariota struggles to adapt to Ken Whisenhunt's scheme.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: ranking, align: center"]32[/TD]
[TD="class: team_slug"]Chicago
Bears[/TD]
[TD="class: record, align: center"]0-0[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_diff, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: ranking_hilo, align: center"]--[/TD]
[TD="class: notes"]Remember that movie 'Unstoppable'? John Fox may need to recruit Denzel Washington to parachute in and avert this train wreck.[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[Rev]

~flush~

 

[UncleMilti]

Minnesota, St Louis, Philly and Buffalo ahead of Dallas?

Riiigghhht.

 

[townsend]

Philly and Carolina's presence in the top 10 proves this writer wouldn't recognize a football in a lineup.

 

[boozeman]

WGAS

 

[L.T. Fan]

WGAS

Yep it not like the rankings determine anything.

 

[Smitty]

Ok then.

 

[hstour]

"New QB Sam Bradford's ability to master and thrive in this offense is among the five most compelling preseason subplots."

Sure, why not, he hasn't managed to master and thrive anywhere else....

 

[Landry]

But, but it's USA Today and all!

 

[ravidubey]

"New QB Sam Bradford's ability to master and thrive in this offense is among the five most compelling preseason subplots."

Because that's what media is all about, not actual football.

 

[Genghis Khan]

You will post a reputable source's rankings like CNNSI. YOU WILL DO THIS NEXT, IAMTDG!

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Are you sure this isn't a year old? That list is absurd.

 

[Rev]

Are you sure this isn't a year old? That list is absurd.

The comments make it this years list.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

It was more a joke than anything. How can Carolina be at 7 and Philly at 8?

 

[Cowboysrock55]

It's like when you do an NCAA bracket. If you just pick the teams as they are supposed to play it's not very exciting. So you throw some off the wall shit out there to try and predict something that no one else is predicting.

This is like the idiot who picks 16 seeds to win games though.

 

[data]

It'd be more legitimate just to say the NFC East hasn't had a back-to-back winner since 2004 and, as a result, we think the Cowboys stumble.