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NFL Power Rankings, Week 8: Cowboys find spark, Raiders look like pretenders

By Randy Gurzi

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 20: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates a first quarter touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in the game at AT&T Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 20: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates a first quarter touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in the game at AT&T Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 20: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts to a late fourth quarter touchdown run by Dalvin Cook #33 to seal the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 20, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 20: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts to a late fourth quarter touchdown run by Dalvin Cook #33 to seal the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 20, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

9. Minnesota Vikings (12)

One interesting thing about the Minnesota Vikings is the way their starting quarterback was so widely criticized for publicly apologizing to his receivers following a 16-6 loss to the Chicago Bears. Wideout Adam Thielen made a comment that was seen as a veiled shot at Cousins and it seemed as though the ensuing apology bothered a lot of people.

Clearly, it didn’t bother them as much as the poor performance in the loss bothered Cousins. Since making his plea for forgiveness, the $84 million man has been lights out. On Sunday, he had had his third-straight game with more than 300-yards passing while throwing four touchdowns for the second consecutive game.

In all, Cousins has completed 68-of-90 passes (71 percent) for 976 yards with 10 touchdowns and just one pick. Even better, the Vikings have won all three games including this 42-30 shootout with the Detroit Lions.

They’re still behind the Green Bay Packers, who beat them in Week 2, but they’re not out of the race. Their next game comes on Thursday Night Football in Week 8 which will be against the Washington Redskins. Cousins will take on his former team and with the way they’ve been playing (couple with Cousins’ recent stretch) this one could full of even more fireworks for the Vikings.

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