Here’s how the Dallas Cowboys rank against the 49ers in ESPN’s initial FPI rankings

ESPN has released the first Football Power Index(FPI) rankings for the 2023 season. The FPI judges teams based on a myriad of factors from returning talent, the strength of schedule, rest and past team performance and is then distilled into a rating.

The model is updated daily throughout the season and also uses win total predictions from Ceasers Sportsbook.

In the initial rankings, the Dallas Cowboys are ranked as the eighth-best team in the NFL. The Cowboys are coming off back-to-back 12-win seasons and will try to have three straight seasons of at least 12 wins.

ESPN’s model gives the Cowboys the sixth-best odds to win the Super Bowl in the entire NFL and the third-best in the NFC.

Only the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers have better chances to win the Super Bowl from the NFC. FPI also grades the Cowboys’ schedule as the 10th hardest in the NFL and the second easiest among all NFC East teams.

Here is the list with the FPI’s top ten teams for strength of schedule, Super Bowl victory chances and overall team ranking.

Strength of Schedule

1. New England Patriots

2. Kansas City Chiefs

3. Buffalo Bills

4. Miami Dolphins

5. New York Jets

6. Los Angeles Chargers

7. Las Vegas Raiders

8. New York Giants

9. Washington Commanders

10. Dallas Cowboys

Super Bowl victory chances

1. Eagles 14%

2. Chiefs 13%

3. 49ers 11%

4. Bills 9%

5. Bengals 9%

6. Cowboys 7%

7. Lions 4%

8. Jets 4%

9. Ravens 3%

10. Chargers 3%

Team power rankings

1. Chiefs +6.4

2. Bills +5.6

3. Eagles +5.0

4. Bengals +4.6

5. 49ers +3.6

6. Jets +3.2

7. Chargers +3.0

8. Cowboys +3.0

9. Dolphins +3.0

10. Ravens +2.0