2017 NFL Power Rankings Week 8: Rams climb after shutting out Cardinals in London

11. Dallas Cowboys (21)

Dallas Cowboys fans have to be thrilled to see their team finally play at the elite level one expects from a playoff-caliber team, even if Sunday’s win did come against a team in the San Francisco 49ers that is now 0-7 on the year. Despite being extra rested after their bye week, the Cowboys were beginning to draw some concerns following two tough losses in a row to the Los Angeles Rams and Green Bay Packers, but if they can find a way to play at this level on a weekly basis, there’s every reason to believe they can be a top team in the NFC.

Between Dak Prescott accounting for four touchdowns to Ezekiel Elliott finding the end zone three total times on his own, Dallas wasted no time jumping out to an early lead during their 40-10 win over San Francisco in Week 7. Not to mention, Elliott finally looked like his old self from his rookie season after finishing the game with 147 rushing yards on 26 carries to go along with a 72-yard touchdown catch.

Sure, it’s tough to give a team like the Cowboys a ton of credit for this kind of performance against a winless 49ers team, but in a way, this is a victory the team desperately needed to get back on track after a difficult stretch. With that being said, the true test will come next weekend when Dallas takes on a familiar face on the road in the Washington Redskins.