NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

2021 NFL Power Rankings, Week 5: Cowboys make statement, Cardinals take the top spot

By Randy Gurzi

Oct 3, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (3) recovers the fumble against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (3) recovers the fumble against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
24 of 32
Next
Dallas Cowboys, 2021 NFL Power Rankings
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 03: Trevon Diggs #7 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after an interception during the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers at AT&T Stadium on October 03, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

123. . . Previous: 14th. Dallas Cowboys. 9. team

After a loss in Week 1 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Dallas Cowboys have been on a roll. They’ve reeled off three wins in a row and have put up 77 points over the past two weeks in their wins over the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football in Week 3 and this past weekend over Carolina.

They’ve been doing it while showing off their versatility as well, moving the ball both through the air and on the ground. In Week 4, they had 245 yards on 34 rushes with Ezekiel Elliott going for 143 and Tony Pollard adding 67.

Dak Prescott only threw 22 passes and completed 14 but had four touchdowns with no picks. He made the throws he needed to and even took off on a 21-yard run on a fourth-down attempt — while finishing with 35 yards on the ground.

As impressive as they were on offense, it was again the defense that stole the show. Dallas was one of the worst defenses in the NFL and under Rod Marinelli for years and Mike Nolan in 2020, they couldn’t buy a turnover.

Now, they keep taking the ball away as Trevon Diggs now has five picks in four games. Randy Gregory also recorded two sacks as the defense made sure to do enough to help seal this win over a talented Carolina team.

Home/NFL