Dallas Cowboys

It's Time To Admit That the Cowboys Are The Best Team In the NFL

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Nov 13, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half of their game at Heinz Field. The Cowboys won the game, 35-30. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Through 10 weeks of the season, it’s been the upstart Cowboys that’ve proven to be the class of the NFL.

Few pundits or so-called experts gave the Dallas Cowboys much of a chance prior to the start of the 2016 season.

More from NFL Mocks

Coming off an abysmal year in which the team finished 4-12, optimism was scarce in Dallas. While the Cowboys had playoff-caliber talent, major injuries – specifically to quarterback Tony Romo – were too much to overcome.

And any positive feelings that were had about America’s Team heading into the new season quickly evaporated. Not only was Romo sidelined once again by injury in the preseason, but a plethora of key defenders were handed suspensions earlier in the offseason.

Despite all of that, the Cowboys have managed to win eight straight games and currently sit atop the NFL at 8-1.

Their impressive record isn’t all smoke and mirrors, either: Dallas is home to the best team in the league.

How have the Cowboys gone from a laughing stock to a real contender in a matter of months?

Let’s take a look.

Nov 13, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) scores the game-winning touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half of their game at Heinz Field. The Cowboys won the game, 35-30. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Efficient O in the Big D

No Romo? No problem.

Behind the best offensive line in the game, the Cowboys’ unrelenting offense has become the league’s most potent unit.

dallas cowboys

NFL Spin Zone 1 dTerrell Suggs Hops on Ravens Press Call with Dak Prescott (Video)

More headlines around FanSided:

1 d - Dallas Cowboys: Winning is all that matters 1 d - Dallas Cowboys: Tony Romo's Legacy Now At Risk 1 d - Dallas Cowboys: Four Thoughts from Week Ten 1 d - The Landry Hat's Dallas Cowboys App Now Available on Android 1 d - Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears Can Help Each OtherMore News at The Landry Hat

Led by a pair of rookies in quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas has averaged the third most yards per game (412.7), totaled the second most rushing yards (1,449), and has scored an average of 28.7 points per game – good for fourth-best.

The key cog in their offense has been the former Ohio State standout in Elliott.

He’s run wild after a slow start to his rookie campaign, racking up 1,005 yards on the ground and 10 total touchdowns.

Barring injury, Elliott has a puncher’s chance at surpassing 2,000 rushing yards and might even take home NFL MVP honors.

In any case, with pass-catchers in the form of Dez Bryant, Jason Witten, Cole Beasley, and Terrance Williams at Prescott’s disposal, it’s safe to say that few offenses in the league are playing better right now.

Nov 13, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) looks to throw a pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter of their game at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Limiting turnovers

Prescott and Co. have been extremely efficient this season and rarely commit turnovers.

In fact, the low turnover rate is likely the biggest difference between a Romo-led offense and a Prescott-led offense. The rookie out of Mississippi State takes what opposing defenses give him and doesn’t force throws, while Romo – in a nutshell – does the exact opposite.

And that really does show when you take a look at the numbers.

The Cowboys have only committed seven turnovers, tied for third-best in the league. Of those seven turnovers, Prescott is accountable for two – both being interceptions.

That interception total shouldn’t rise all that high, either. Defenses have had difficulty putting pressure on Prescott, as he’s been sacked just 13 times this season.

In short, I wouldn’t plan on seeing Romo back under center anytime soon.

Stout defense

Name one player outside of linebacker Sean Lee on the Cowboys’ defense.

I’ll wait.

In all seriousness, defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli has done a heck of a job this season. The play of Dallas’ no-name unit has been a pleasant surprise, and that’s saying something considering the overwhelming amount of suspensions and injuries they’ve had to deal with.

Regardless, the Cowboys’ defense isn’t doing any one thing exceptionally well that explains their success.

They’re simply getting stops.

It doesn’t matter that their defense is 17th in sacks (19) and 19th in takeaways (10). What matters is that they’re 8th in points allowed per contest (18.9) and 11th in total yards allowed (3,111).

Again, they’re simply getting stops.

So, while Dallas’ defense isn’t glamorous by any means, they get the job done.

Nov 13, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) scores a touchdown past Pittsburgh Steelers safety Mike Mitchell (23) during the second half of their game at Heinz Field. The Cowboys won the game, 35-30. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Conclusion

The best team in the NFL is – say it with me – the Dallas Cowboys.

With an incredible pair of rookies leading the way, the Cowboys have vaulted themselves into the conversation as Super Bowl contenders, highlighted by wins over Washington, the Philadelphia Eagles, and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Given the fact that four of their final seven games will be in the friendly confines of Jerry World, Dallas is on track to secure home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs as the No. 1 seed.

Many normally say something along the lines of “These aren’t your dad’s so-and so” when a team that perennially struggles – such as the Cowboys – starts to surprise.

Well, these aren’t your dad’s Cowboys, but they’re pretty darn close.

Just about the only thing separating the 2016 version from your dad’s is this thing called the Lombardi Trophy.

Time will tell if the ‘Boys can bridge that gap.

This article originally appeared on