NFL Week 7: Why the Dallas Cowboys Must Win Big Against the St. Louis Rams

It's no secret that the Dallas Cowboys have made a 2011 season out of nail-biting, close games through the first six weeks of the season, a trend that cannot continue into this weekend.

The winless and Sam Bradford-less St. Louis Rams visit Jerry's World (aka Dallas Cowboys Stadium) this Sunday in a statement game for the home team.

Dallas hasn't had the easiest of schedules so far, facing the New York Jets on September 11th, the Washington Redskins at their highest point, the surprising San Fransisco 49ers and of course the New England Patriots. This schedule certainly explains the close games, but the Rams are nowhere near the caliber of any of the aforementioned teams.

Their franchise quarterback has been officially ruled out according to USA Today, meaning A.J. Feeley will make his first NFL start since 2007. Newly acquired wide receiver Brandon Lloyd could potentially pose problems for the Cowboys' secondary, but it's unlikely the former Denver Bronco has had enough time to fully digest his new team's offense.

As the cliche goes, anything can happen come Sunday in the NFL, and it's unfair to ever completely rule out a team, but the Cowboys need to make a statement with a blowout victory this week.

America's Team still boasts the seventh-best offense in the league, but this fact has been widely overshadowed by their 2-3 start to the season.

If the aerial assault of Tony Romo,  Dez Bryant and Miles Austin can torch the Rams 30th ranked defense for multiple scores and the tandem of DeMarco Murray and Tashard Choice can establish a much needed rushing attack for Dallas, then perhaps Cowboys fans can finally relax come game time and not find themselves on the edge of their seats all afternoon Sunday.