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Dallas Cowboys 2026 Team Rankings and Ratings

PFM Archetype Offense or Bust

77.4PFM Team Score

PFM Verdict

Why PFM Ranks the Cowboys Here

Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb can still control a game with timing throws and route adjustments. The defense has a pass rusher who changes protections before the snap in Quinnen Williams. Dallas stays in the lower half because the defense is thin inside and Brian Schottenheimer is still installing a new offensive structure.

NFL Rank#21Current PFM ranking

NFC Rank#11Among NFC teams

QB Stability#18Dak Prescott · Not the Problem

Season OutlookIn the Playoff Mix

Head coachBrian Schottenheimer

Offensive coordinatorKlayton Adams

Defensive coordinatorChristian Parker

Offense86.0No. 5

Defense73.9No. 28

Coaching Direction73.7No. 22

PFM Team DNA

Dallas Cowboys Team DNA

View all NFL team rankings

PFM category scores · 0–100 scale

QB Stability81.6No. 18 in NFLWatch

Offense86.0No. 5 in NFLMajor Strength

Explosiveness80.4No. 11 in NFLWatch

Roster Strength78.7No. 23 in NFLWatch

Franchise Direction74.1No. 23 in NFLConcern

Coaching Direction73.7No. 22 in NFLMajor Concern

Defense73.9No. 28 in NFLMajor Concern

Recent Performance70.7No. 25 in NFLMajor Concern

Identity

Offense Leads the Way

Dallas' identity starts with a spread passing offense built around Dak Prescott’s timing and CeeDee Lamb’s ability to win at every level.

Pressure Point

Roster Depth

Brian Schottenheimer is the swing factor. The staff has to solve defensive depth, especially outside, and a coaching operation that still has to earn trust. Dallas continued reshaping the defensive front after losing veteran interior help.

Dallas Is Built to Win Through Prescott and Lamb

Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb give Dallas the cleaner path to points. The 12.1-point edge over the defense means the offense has to finish drives while the interior depth and new coaching operation find their footing.

The Roster Is Better Than the Results

This is not a roster with nothing to work with. The missing piece is proof, especially when the game moves away from the preferred script. The formula is simple: protect Prescott, feed Lamb and let the offense control the game.

PFM ROAD AHEAD

2026 Dallas Cowboys Strength of Schedule

Dallas sits near the middle of the league at No. 13 in schedule strength, with opponents averaging 81.0. Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams create the toughest stretch, but 6 games against current top-10 teams keep the schedule from belonging at either extreme.

Difficulty Rank#13No. 1 is toughest

Opponent PFM Avg.81.0Average across opponents

Next 3 Avg.77.7Upcoming opponents

Top-10 Matchups6Games vs. current top 10

Away games left8

Top-10 road opponents4

Week 1

at New York Giants73.0 PFM · #26

Sep 13 · 8:20 pm

AwayBottom 10

Week 2

vs. Washington Commanders79.0 PFM · #18

Sep 20 · 4:25 pm

Home

Week 3

vs. Baltimore Ravens81.1 PFM · #15

Sep 27 · 4:25 pm

Neutral

Toughest remaining opponent: Seattle Seahawks at 91.3 PFM.

See all 32 NFL strength of schedule rankings View Dallas Cowboys’ full schedule breakdown

PFM Reporter

Von Miller Adds Needed Pass-Rush Help in Dallas

Reported

Dallas agreed to terms with Von Miller, adding a veteran edge rusher who led Washington with nine sacks last season despite starting only three games.

That matters because PFM still treats the Cowboys defense as the clear weakness on the roster, especially after a 2025 season in which Dallas finished tied for 22nd in sacks. Miller is 37, so this is not a major roster swing but he gives Christian Parker another proven pass rushing option. If Miller can give Dallas 5+ sacks this season this is a win.

By Justin Fuhr

Analysis updatedAugust 17, 2026

Sources: Von Miller, Cowboys agree to terms on deal

Around the League

League Context

Closest Team DNA Match

Built Like Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay BuccaneersMatch distance: 3.15 rating points

Shared profile: Roster Strength and Explosiveness.

Dallas creates matchup leverage through the offensive line, whereas Tampa Bay creates downfield pressure through the offensive line. Roster Strength and Explosiveness line up because each lineup has more than one player capable of changing field position in a single snap. Dallas owns the offensive edge because the attack around the offensive line can score without depending on one matchup.

Where they separate: Offense. Cowboys hold the stronger current rating.

View Buccaneers dashboard Compare the teams

Division Pressure