The Dallas Cowboys have improved a lot over the offseason. Another opinion that is shared is that nothing is won in the offseason. What looks and seems nice only goes so far, and ultimately the wins through the season and playoffs are what are going to define success.
Given that we still have time until any games will be played the idle hands have to do something. Recently those from the worldwide leader put together a list as ESPN assembled their initial Football Power Index rankings of 2026 and released them on Wednesday.
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The Dallas Cowboys rank 11th.
The Cowboys are the third-highest ranked team who did not make the playoffs last year as they trail the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs in that record. It is worth noting that Dallas split games against those two last year.
Several playoff teams from 2025 are actually behind the Cowboys, though. The Houston Texans, the AFC Champion New England Patriots, the Denver Broncos, the Chicago Bears, the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Carolina Panthers are all looking up at America’s Team.
You may be a bit curious as to how this is the case. Here is how ESPN explains FPI:
FPI’s preseason predictive ratings are primarily based on win totals from the betting market in conjunction with each team’s schedule — along with factors such as the difference between a team’s starting and backup quarterback and a special teams rating that incorporates specific kickers. We use these ratings to simulate the season thousands of times, with the results forming our projections.
Oddsmakers believe in the Cowboys this year, at least relative to last, and the Cowboys have a solid amount of games this season against teams in the bottom half of FPI’s rankings.
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But still, the Cowboys figure to be better in 2026 in a serious way. It may not wind up leading to anything serious, but it at the very least suggests that belief in them from us is not misplaced.
