NFL Power Rankings: Bottom Feeder Teams Ready for a Turnaround

Here's a quick look at three NFL teams that are struggling right now but are primed to move up in the rankings very soon.

Dallas Cowboys (No. 21)

I just can't quite figure out Dallas. They have tons of talent on both sides of the ball but never seem to put it all together. 

This week's embarrassing  34-7 loss at the hands of the Eagles was pretty ugly, but don't forget that Philadelphia seems to always be incredibly tough following a bye week. 

Even with this loss, the Cowboys could easily be 6-1. In their losses to the Jets, Lions and Patriots, they were leading in the fourth quarter. If they can find a way to finish games off, they will be a playoff team.

They have the weapons on offense as well as a defense that is ranked near the top of the NFL.

Home games against Seattle and Buffalo should help get the 'Boys back on track.

Carolina Panthers (No. 23)

Much like the Cowboys, the Panthers have been contenders in every game they've played. In their six losses, they have been defeated by a combined 39 points (6.5 points per game). 

As good as Cam Newton has been, he's still a rookie and he's still learning how to effectively play in the fourth quarter. As he begins to mature, and as that defense continues to improve, the Panthers will start winning games.

Their defense has looked better recently, too, as they shut down Adrian Peterson on the ground for the majority of Sunday's game,

After a bye this week, the Panthers will meet Tennessee and Indianapolis in two of their next three. Expect to see them rise in the rankings. 

St. Louis Rams (No. 27)

What a way to get their first win of the season!

No one thought the Rams would actually be able to contend with the Saints, let-alone pull off the upset. But that's why they play the game.

Still though, the Rams aren't as bad as most people think. They've just had one of the most brutal schedules to start the season: at Philadelphia, the Giants, the Ravens, at Green Bay and at Dallas. That is a nightmarish way to begin the season.

Luckily for the Rams, they still get to play the Seahawks and Cardinals twice, as well as Cleveland and Cincinnati.

This defense has been improving, and once Sam Bradford returns, the Rams will only continue to get better. 

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

Follow @t_keen