The Dallas Cowboys had a 21-point comeback win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, and a victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Thanksgiving Day would give them a winning record for the first time this season.
Here’s how pundits placed the Cowboys (5-5-1) in their NFL power rankings heading into a critical Turkey Day clash:
Todd Archer, ESPN
Thanksgiving game memory: Backup quarterback Clint Longley leads Cowboys to win over Washington in 1974
The “best memory” rules out Randy Moss’ dominant showing in 1998 and Leon Lett’s ill-timed trek in the ice in 1993. This choice came down to backup quarterbacks, Longley and Jason Garrett. In 1994, Garrett outdueled Brett Favre to beat the Packers, but Longley’s comeback vs. Washington came out of nowhere. With Roger Staubach knocked out in the third quarter, the Cowboys trailed 23-17 with less than 30 seconds to play when Longley, known as the “Mad Bomber,” hit Drew Pearson for a 50-yard touchdown to defeat their rivals.
Ranking: No. 19 (Prev. No. 21)
Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk
The Dallas Texans reunion has a do-or-die vibe for both teams.
Ranking: No. 17 (Prev. No. 20)
Nate Davis, USA Today
QB Dak Prescott has now won 19 consecutive starts against NFC East opponents at AT&T Stadium, but, barring something truly miraculous, he won’t face another one in North Texas until 2026.
Ranking: No. 19 (Prev. No. 22)
Staff, Bleacher Report
The Cowboys showed plenty of grit and determination by coming all the way back from a 21-point deficit and beating the rival Eagles in overtime. In doing so, Dallas tied a franchise record for the biggest comeback in team history. More importantly, the Cowboys kept their season alive. At 5-5-1, they remain in the postseason mix. Granted, eight NFC squads already managed seven victories. But Dallas would have been done had it not found a way to win Sunday.
Ranking: No. 19 (Prev. No. 21)
Eric Edholm, NFL.com
The playoffs remain a remote possibility, but my oh my, what a satisfying rivalry win that had to be for a Dallas team that did everything it possibly could to lose the game early on. The Cowboys strapped in after the Eagles’ third drive and played some of their best defense of the season, shutting out Philadelphia from that point on. Quinnen Williams was beat up pretty badly and still had an astounding eight pressures, per [Next Gen Stats]. The defense and special teams both swarmed.
Ranking: No. 18 (Prev. No. 20)
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
They are alive and kicking and essentially play a playoff game this week against the Chiefs. They can’t afford any more losses the rest of the way.
Ranking: No. 17 (Prev. No. 20)
Ralph Vacchiano, Fox Sports
Down 21-0 to the Eagles, with their season on the brink, they finally found a groove on both sides of the ball. The playoffs aren’t out of reach, but they probably need to steal a game against the Chiefs on Thanksgiving or at Detroit the following week.
Ranking: No. 17 (Prev. No. 19)
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News
The Cowboys kept their emotions high for their massive home game to fuel the epic comeback against the Eagles. On the field, it was made most possible by Dak Prescott’s new favorite big-play target, George Pickens, maybe the pickup of the year by any team.
Ranking: No. 19 (Prev. No. 20)
Diante Lee, The Ringer
Dallas has precious little chance to make the playoffs this season — to have any control of their destiny, they would need the NFC North to cannibalize itself and the 49ers to nosedive. It’s a shame too, because this is the NFL’s coolest offense — and its defensive front has new life thanks to defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.
Ranking: No. 15 (Prev. No. 18)
Frank Schwab, Yahoo Sports
When Dallas trailed Philadelphia 21-0 on Sunday, it looked like the Cowboys were simply decent at beating bad teams and nobody else. The comeback win renews their hope. It’s still unlikely the Cowboys make the playoffs. But it has been an OK debut season for head coach Brian Schottenheimer.
Ranking: No. 18 (Prev. No. 21)