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Dallas Cowboys vs. Indianapolis Colts: PFM Team Comparison

PFM rates the Dallas Cowboys higher than the Indianapolis Colts overall, with a clear advantage. The main reasons are the more dependable offense and the steadier quarterback room.

Current PFM Team Scores

Clear edgeDAL

Dallas Cowboys

77.3PFM Team Score#19 NFL
IND

Indianapolis Colts

73.5PFM Team Score#29 NFL
Swap Teams Clear Comparison
PFM JUDGMENT

Why PFM Rates the Dallas Cowboys Higher

The Cowboys can create offense in more than one way. One bad matchup is less likely to shut down the entire scoring approach. Indianapolis' strongest counterargument is Defense. The defensive concern is smaller for Indianapolis, but it has not disappeared.

Dallas also brings the steadier quarterback room. Dallas adds the deeper roster. That is enough to keep the Dallas Cowboys ahead.

TEAM DNA COMPARISON

Dallas vs. Indianapolis Across the Core Pillars

The farther a team reaches, the stronger the rating. Each category also calls out which team has the edge and the exact gap. Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to isolate one team.

DALDallas Cowboys
INDIndianapolis Colts
Dallas Cowboys vs. Indianapolis Colts Team DNA comparisonPFM category scores on a 0 to 100 scale. QB Stability: Dallas Cowboys 81.9, Indianapolis Colts 75.1, edge DAL +6.8; Offense: Dallas Cowboys 84.5, Indianapolis Colts 75.3, edge DAL +9.2; Defense: Dallas Cowboys 68.8, Indianapolis Colts 75.5, edge IND +6.7; Coaching Direction: Dallas Cowboys 73.5, Indianapolis Colts 72.9, edge DAL +0.6; Roster Depth: Dallas Cowboys 78.0, Indianapolis Colts 75.2, edge DAL +2.8. Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to isolate one team at a time.
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THE COUNTERARGUMENT

Indianapolis Colts’ Best Argument

Indianapolis' defense is the less serious concern, but it still grades below the strength range. That is why the overall gap is smaller than the score first suggests. Dallas still answers with the more dependable offense and the steadier quarterback room, which keeps the overall judgment in place.

COMPLETE COMPARISON

Where Each Team Has the Edge

PFM Team Score

DAL77.3
Dallas Cowboys 77.3
IND73.5
Indianapolis Colts 73.5
Clear Dallas Cowboys edge

Overall NFL Rank

DAL#19
Dallas Cowboys #19
IND#29
Indianapolis Colts #29
Dallas Cowboys ranks higher

QB Stability

DAL81.9
Dallas Cowboys 81.9
IND75.1
Indianapolis Colts 75.1
Clear Dallas Cowboys edge

Roster Strength

DAL78.0
Dallas Cowboys 78.0
IND75.2
Indianapolis Colts 75.2
Clear Dallas Cowboys edge

Coaching Direction

DAL73.5
Dallas Cowboys 73.5
IND72.9
Indianapolis Colts 72.9
Slight Dallas Cowboys edge

Recent Performance

DAL75.2
Dallas Cowboys 75.2
IND69.5
Indianapolis Colts 69.5
Clear Dallas Cowboys edge

Offense

DAL84.5
Dallas Cowboys 84.5
IND75.3
Indianapolis Colts 75.3
Clear Dallas Cowboys edge

Defense

DAL68.8
Dallas Cowboys 68.8
IND75.5
Indianapolis Colts 75.5
Clear Indianapolis Colts edge

Franchise Direction

DAL74.1
Dallas Cowboys 74.1
IND72.7
Indianapolis Colts 72.7
Slight Dallas Cowboys edge

Explosiveness

DAL73.9
Dallas Cowboys 73.9
IND71.8
Indianapolis Colts 71.8
Clear Dallas Cowboys edge

Conference Rank

DAL#10
Dallas Cowboys #10
IND#14
Indianapolis Colts #14
Dallas Cowboys ranks higher

Division Rank

DAL#2
Dallas Cowboys #2
IND#3
Indianapolis Colts #3
Dallas Cowboys ranks higher

Outlook

DALIn the Playoff MixINDPlayoff Long Shot
Stronger outlook: Dallas Cowboys
SCHEDULE CONTEXT

Which Team Has the Tougher Road?

Dallas Cowboys

Remaining schedule rank: #22

Toughest stretch: Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars

Strongest opponents: San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams

Next five difficulty: 76.2

View Dallas Cowboys Road Ahead

Indianapolis Colts

Remaining schedule rank: #30

Toughest stretch: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars

Strongest opponents: Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans

Next five difficulty: 77.4

View Indianapolis Colts Road Ahead

Dallas has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 22. The strongest opponents include San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, and Los Angeles Rams. Indianapolis gains one meaningful schedule advantage, while Dallas still owns the stronger football advantages elsewhere.

View the complete all-32 Road Ahead

Ratings and Schedule Freshness

PFM ratings updated October 27, 2026. Schedule data updated October 29, 2026.

How to Read This Comparison

PFM Team Score determines the overall order. The Team DNA comparison puts five core pillars on the same 0–100 scale, while the full rows show every current category.

PFM compares overall team strength rather than predicting one matchup. Road Ahead adds schedule context without changing PFM Team Score.

See the complete PFM NFL Team Rankings and methodology.

PFM ratings updated
How PFM grades NFL teams