Things seemed to be bleak for the Dallas Cowboys after their season opener after losing Dak Prescott to a fractured thumb. Fortunately, the Cowboys showed great resilience and reeled off four wins in five games with Cooper Rush at the helm.

Prescott made his return in Week 7, and the Cowboys have won both games, bringing their record to 6-2 at the bye week. As a result, when ESPN released its power rankings going into Week 9 on Tuesday, the Cowboys came in at no. 4, rising two spots from their placing the previous two weeks.

"The defense has been the story of the first eight games, giving up an average of only 16.6 points (ranked third in the league). The run defense, though, is a worry, giving up an average of 135.1 yards.

"But the offense is trending in the right direction since Dak Prescott's return from a fractured right thumb. The Cowboys have shown they can run the ball with Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard regardless of circumstance, while the passing game is improving as Prescott gets reaccustomed to CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup and Dalton Schultz. They'll need it as the second half begins and the games get more difficult and important."

Stopping the run is certainly something the Cowboys need to get corrected in the second half of the season as they look to make another postseason run, or it will likely end with another early exit. However, the Cowboys' defense is first in sacks (33), third against the pass (178.4), and seventh in total defense (313.5).

Cowboys' defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has some work to do to get this run defense issue solved before the team hits the road to take on the Green Bay Packers. The reason is, the last thing they want is to have to adjust to a productive running game and leave themselves vulnerable to stopping quarterback Aaron Rodgers who has been a Cowboys' menace for years.

Although the aforementioned Rush did what he had to do in Prescott's absence, the Cowboys offense wasn't a juggernaut, averaging just 21.4 points per game. Prescott's second game back was an offensive explosion for the Cowboys as they scored 49 points which are the most by any team so far in 2022.

A big reason for this scoring bonanza was Prescott finding his rhythm slinging the football, and he did so with his most important weapons. The former Offensive Rookie of the Year completed 15 of 20 passes to CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup, and Dalton Schultz, a positive sign after Prescott's time off.

Will the Cowboys continue ringing points and have an improved run defense after the bye week? If they do, the NFC is in trouble.

Feature image via Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports