Dallas Cowboys 2026 Team Rankings and Ratings

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. 7

Defense74.4No. 28

Coaching Direction73.7No. 23

Regular-Season Baseline

PFM Trend

Baseline September 8, 2026

Current stateBaseline set

Dallas starts the regular season with a 77.4 PFM Team Score and the No. 21 spot in PFM’s NFL rankings. Movement will appear after the first published weekly ratings update.

PFM Team Score77.4

Score movementStarts here

NFL RankNo. 21

Rank movementStarts here

See Latest NFL Ranking Changes

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. 7 in NFLMajor Strength

Explosiveness80.5No. 11 in NFLWatch

Roster Strength78.7No. 19 in NFLWatch

Franchise Direction74.1No. 23 in NFLConcern

Coaching Direction73.7No. 23 in NFLMajor Concern

Defense74.4No. 28 in NFLConcern

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

Brian Schottenheimer Has to Fix Dallas' Weakest Link

Brian Schottenheimer has to solve defensive depth, especially outside, and a coaching operation that still has to earn trust before it becomes the part of Dallas' game opponents can attack every week.

Week 1 matchup

AwayDAL0-0

HomeNYG0-0

Pick the winner.

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 80.9. Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams create the toughest stretch, but 5 games against current top-10 teams keep the schedule from belonging at either extreme.

Difficulty Rank#13No. 1 is toughest

Opponent PFM Avg.80.9Average across opponents

Next 3 Avg.77.7Upcoming opponents

Top-10 Matchups5Games vs. current top 10

Away games left8

Top-10 road opponents3

Week 1

at New York Giants73.4 PFM · #26

Sep 13 · 8:20 pm

AwayBottom 10

Week 2

vs. Washington Commanders78.7 PFM · #19

Sep 20 · 4:25 pm

Home

Week 3

vs. Baltimore Ravens81.2 PFM · #15

Sep 27 · 4:25 pm

Neutral

Toughest remaining opponent: Seattle Seahawks at 91.1 PFM.

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

PFM ReporterReportedAugust 31, 2026

Broderick Jones Is Now Competing for Dallas' Starting Right Tackle Job

Broderick Jones is no longer just swing-tackle insurance. Brian Schottenheimer said Jones will compete with Terence Steele for the starting right tackle job, with Steele still viewed as 1A and Jones focusing on the right side.

PFM's August 29th report treated Jones as depth unless he earned a larger role, and this is that material role change we talked about. Dallas already carries a strong offense but weaker roster depth.

By Justin Fuhr

Sources: Terence Steele, Broderick Jones to compete for starting right tackle job

Around the League

League Context

Closest Team DNA Match

Built Like Washington Commanders

Washington CommandersMatch distance: 3.06 rating points

Shared profile: Roster Strength and Defense.

Dallas uses coverage and the defensive front to make the quarterback hold the ball for the rush; Washington uses coverage and the defensive front to create pressure without constant blitzes. Defensive Rating and Roster Strength line up because the front has help behind it and the lineup can survive when the preferred matchup disappears. Coaching is the main separator, with the coaching staff giving Washington more continuity from the opening script to the counterpunch.

Where they separate: Coaching Direction. Commanders hold the stronger current rating.

View Commanders dashboard Compare the teams

Division Pressure