NFL power rankings 2012: Cowboys stuck in middle of the league

The Dallas Cowboys blew an opportunity to remain in the NFC East race with a Thanksgiving Day loss to Robert Griffin III and the Washington Redskins last week. SB Nation punishes America's Team by dropping them two spots to No. 18 in the latest NFL Power Rankings.

Six losses are usually all a team can afford if it hopes to make the playoffs, and at 5-6, the Cowboys really have no room for error the rest of the way. A matchup against the only team in the division more disappointing, the Philadelphia Eagles, on Sunday night could be a matchup of two coaches on their way out when Jason Garrett and Andy Reid square off, as NFL editor Joel Thorman points out:

18. Dallas Cowboys (LW: 16, 5-6): Cowboys vs. Eagles is another opportunity for an NFL head coach to be fired at halftime.

The Cowboys are also No. 18 in the latest power rankings from CBS Sports. Pete Prisco says it's almost time to turn out the lights on this season:

Say goodnight to a division title and those playoffs hopes are looking dim again. They just can't get over the hump.

ESPN.com was slightly more harsh, dropping Dallas to No. 19 this week.