Latest power rankings reveal true feelings on resurgent Cowboys

Latest power rankings reveal true feelings on resurgent Cowboys originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The feel-good vibes are flowing for the Dallas Cowboys, as a three-game winning streak has Brian  Schottenheimer's team back in playoff calculations.

Granted, that is still a long way away, but there is now a genuine belief that the Cowboys can make a run.

Also, just one and a half games behind the NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles, the Cowboys are in the mix for the division as well, something that seemed impossible three weeks ago.

And for Eric Edholm of NFL.com, the Cowboys continue to climb in his latest power rankings, reaching No. 16 after Week 13.

"Fresh off the most thrilling five-day stretch of the Cowboys' 2025 season -- during which they beat both participants in this past February's Super Bowl -- Dallas is officially in the playoff mix," Edholm writes.

"Even if the Micah Parsons trade remains unpopular, the Quinnen Williams acquisition is looking like a home run, and Dallas has won three straight games since the bye. The NFL is more interesting when the Cowboys are competitive."

More: Odd player named as Cowboys' X Factor in potential playoff run

Cowboys face monster Lions test

While most are in playoff mode when it comes to the Cowboys, I'm tapping the brakes slightly.

There is still so much to do, and the road trip to Detroit is a daunting one, well, it used to be, until Dallas got on a roll. But while some are ready to put Dallas in the playoffs due to the soft schedule after the Lions, I'm not there yet.

However, beat Detroit and move to 7-5-1 and half a game behind the Eagles? Yeah, now we're talking.

So, Thursday's game has a lot riding on it for both teams, but as it pertains to the Cowboys, the easiest path to the playoffs is winning the division, which, by beating the Lions, becomes a serious reality.

More Cowboys news:

• Cowboys playoff picture: Updated chances for Dallas to make 2025 NFL postseason in Week 13

• NFC East standings: What Eagles' loss to Bears means for division race with Cowboys

• What Eagles' Week 13 loss to Bears means for Cowboys in NFC East

• Dallas Cowboys' updated playoff odds after Week 13 win over Kansas City Chiefs