Usually, we'd call this the "quarter-season review" of the Dallas Cowboys. But NFL teams will now play 17 games instead of 16. It's the little things you miss the most. In all seriousness, though, four games seem like enough to draw a few early conclusions on the Cowboys.

Here are some of the biggest lessons that we've learned from the Cowboys after four weeks of action.

The Cowboys are LEGIT contenders

There's no denying it now, I believe. The 2021 NFL season started out with all sorts of takes on the Cowboys. Some believed the offense was going to reach an elite level (more on that in a moment) and make this team a legit contender in the conference. Others believed it was going to be a "Same ol' Cowboys" kind of season with a disappointing finish.

But now, with an elite offense and a defense forcing takeaways, it's clear they're a top team in the conference. In fact, they rank fifth in the NFC Championship odds right now, which we discussed on A to Z Sports Dallas Primetime.

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The offense has gone from very good to elite

We could review the talent that the Dallas Cowboys have on offense, but that likely isn't necessary. Instead, let's talk about the reason why we've seen this offense take the next step. This might've been the case since 2020, but Dak Prescott and Kellen Moore are one of the best QB-OC duos in the league right now.

Through four weeks of the season, Kellen Moore has offered us two quotes that offer some insight into the team's philosophy:

1. "Aggressively take what they give us."
2. "Adjustment football is part of the process."

Not only do the Cowboys have the right philosophy for modern football, but they have the quarterback to make the adjustments even at the line of scrimmage. Pair that with the talent the Cowboys have, and you're talking about a unit capable of winning games… including the ones in January.

Dan Quinn is killing it

There are a lot of reasons why Dan Quinn is changing this defense. Despite concerns on how constant turnovers will remain throughout the rest of the season, the Cowboys have to feel good about what they've seen so far.

Players are flying around (shoutout Damontae Kazee despite the penalty flag), Trevon Diggs is shadowing top wide receivers, Micah Parsons is being used as a true chess piece, Osa Odighizuwa is generating pressure inside. We could go on, but you get the point.

Last year, finger-pointing was going around regarding Mike Nolan's complicated scheme. This time around, praise is what's going around.

This Cowboys team can adapt

Not that long ago, top players being absent was something the Dallas Cowboys mightily struggled to overcome. Now, the team is in a three-win streak in which the following starters have missed time:

• DE DeMarcus Lawrence
• WR Michael Gallup
• OT La'el Collins
• S Donovan Wilson
• LB Keanu Neal
• DT Neville Gallimore (yet to play)

That's without mentioning other rotational players like Dorance Armstrong and Carlos Watkins. In fact, through two weeks, Watkins was the second DT with the highest snap count behind Osa.

This Dallas Cowboys team can adapt, and missing a few players will not stop them from performing on the field.

Featured image via Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports