2021 NFL Power Rankings, Week 4: Rams claim top spot, Steelers and Bears plummet

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 26: Head coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates a third quarter touchdown throw by Matthew Stafford #9 in the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at SoFi Stadium on September 26, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /

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Dallas Cowboys. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

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(Play on Monday Night Football vs. Eagles) – The Dallas Cowboys move up one spot in our 2021 NFL Power Rankings even though they’ve yet to paly in Week 3 largely because they need to be kept ahead of the Chargers considering that they beat LA a week ago.

We know how good this offense can be and we saw evidence of that against the Buccaneers as Dak Prescott nearly outdueled Tom Brady in the NFL Kickoff game. It’s also a pleasant surprise to see Tony Pollard get the usage he did against the Chargers as the backup running back adds another explosive element to that side of the ball.

However, what is driving a lot of optimism in Dallas is the defensive performance thus far. Even without arguably their best player on that side of the ball in DeMarcus Lawrence, the Cowboys held the Chargers to just 17 points. This group is playing hard and smart and executing a plan. They won’t be a brick wall on a down-to-down basis but they have enough talent in place, even if it’s not experienced talent, to make splash plays in key moments to swing the game.

If we can continue to see that from the defense, we know the offense is going to deliver game-in and game-out. And that could be the path to not only the playoffs and winning the NFC East but perhaps a postseason run from this team.

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