2023 NFL Power Rankings: Dallas Cowboys

Young riser: CB DaRon Bland

Let's not get it twisted: The Cowboys miss Trevon Diggs, but Bland, 24, has done an excellent job in replacing the Pro Bowl cornerback. After leading the Cowboys in interceptions with five as a rookie last season, he leads them with three this season, including two he has returned for touchdowns. He nearly had two more takeaways against the Los Angeles Chargers. Bland has the size, speed and gift for finding the ball that can't be taught, a lot like Diggs. -- Todd Archer

Even with the defense showing some game-to-game inconsistency, the Cowboys can become a better team with Dak Prescott playing more like he did against the Chargers. Early this season, the Cowboys were lucky they didn't need more out of the offense, but in big moments against Arizona and San Francisco, that unit came up short. You'd like to see more from Brandin Cooks, Michael Gallup and the tight ends in the pass game and more ground production overall. There's also the matter of Mike McCarthy trying to rediscover his play-caller vibe. Maybe the strides the 'Boys took against the Chargers and a healthy Tyron Smith suggest more offensive flourish is coming. The good news is that they have more home games than road games remaining.

They went on the bye after beating the Chargers on the road, which had to give this team life. Is this the point when they really start to play well?

One interesting dichotomy of this vexing squad? While Dallas ranks near the bottom of the league in touchdowns converted in the red zone (39.1%), it's top five when it comes to executing on third down (47.7%).

One question: Where are we on Dak Prescott?

In the last two weeks, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and star edge rusher Micah Parsons have felt the need to come to the defense of their eighth-year quarterback. It feels like a lot of angst about a quarterback who is 14th in the league in passer rating (91) and leading a team in the top 10 of these rankings. Are there quibbles? Sure. Prescott's yards per attempt (7) are the second-lowest of his career, his air yards per attempt (6.9) are the lowest, and he's throwing to wide receivers at the lowest rate of his career (58.1 percent). But that all seems like a product of Mike McCarthy's offense, not Prescott's play.

The vibes are always good coming out of a bye week, but now the Cowboys have to show us they can improve offensively. Dak Prescott played hero ball to get the win against the Chargers, but this team will be limited if it can't get more consistent production from the full offense.

The Cowboys have been up and down this season, and there's a little concern this weekend. They should beat the Rams, but will they overlook them with a game at Philadelphia on deck? We'll see if Dallas can focus on the task at hand.

Maybe they could win a rematch with the 49ers.

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