NFL Power Rankings: Big Win Will Vault Dallas Cowboys into Top Half of NFL

We've seen plenty of surprises in the NFL this season. Given the strength of their first five opponents, a 2-3 start for the Cowboys is not particularly surprising.

No, what makes the Cowboys incredible is that they have literally been in five close games. A very valid argument could be made that their three losses should have been wins, and their two wins should have been losses.

The two wins both involved fourth-quarter comebacks while the three losses all involved blowing fourth-quarter leads. There really is no more amazing team in the league than the one that plays in Dallas.

The thing about their No. 21 ranking is that it could be much higher—or lower—without any imagination or too many "ifs."

Now the Cowboys are in a game that will be much less gut-wrenching for the fans. The St. Louis Rams simply don't have the team to match up with the Cowboys.

Now, should a win against the Rams—even in a blowout—really vault the Cowboys up too much? No, and don't expect them to be a top-five team or anything like that for a long time.

However, this is a team that's been competitive against some of the best in the league. One of its wins (San Francisco) came on the road, and is currently the only loss that team has suffered.

If the Cowboys can manage an easy win against a team that they should blowout, they will move to .500 and will certainly worthy of a top-16 ranking.

So, why am I so confident that they will beat the Rams? Well, I have yet to figure out how the St. Louis secondary is going to do anything to stop the likes of Dez Bryant, Miles Austin and Jason Witten.

I understand Tony Romo has his critics, but that criticism comes when he plays good opponents in big games. That doesn't really apply here.

As a matter of fact, Romo has more passing yards than any quarterback who has already had his bye week. The Rams just won't come anywhere near the Cowboys this week.

DeMarcus Ware and the Dallas defense contained Tom Brady. A St. Louis offense that may or may not include Sam Bradford just doesn't have a chance.

The Cowboys will win big. When they do, their rise will be significant.

Michael Dixon's Week 7 NFL Power Rankings

1. Green Bay Packers	6-0
2. New England Patriots	5-1
3. Baltimore Ravens	4-1
4. San Francisco 49ers	5-1
5. Detroit Lions	5-1
6. San Diego Chargers	4-1
7. Pittsburgh Steelers	4-2
8. Oakland Raiders	4-2
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers	4-2
10. New Orleans Saints	4-2
11. New York Giants	4-2
12. Washington Redskins	3-2
13. Cincinnati Bengals	4-2
14. Buffalo Bills	4-2
15. Tennessee Titans	3-2
16. Chicago Bears	3-3
17. Atlanta Falcons	3-3
18. New York Jets	3-3
19. Houston Texans	3-3
20. Philadelphia Eagles	2-4
21. Dallas Cowboys	2-3
22. Seattle Seahawks	2-3
23. Cleveland Browns	2-3
24. Kansas City Chiefs	2-3
25. Jacksonville Jaguars	1-5
26. Carolina Panthers	1-5
27. Arizona Cardinals	1-4
28. Denver Broncos	1-4
29. Minnesota Vikings	1-5
30. Indianapolis Colts	0-6
31. St. Louis Rams	0-5
32. Miami Dolphins	0-6