NFL Power Rankings: Predicting Teams Sure to Catch Fire Soon

It's good to catch fire, as a figure of speech, in sports; especially in football since you only play once a week. The following three franchises have just that opportunity in the coming weeks.

Whether they actually make the postseason is a different story, but blazing in the second half of the season will most certainly increase those odds.

Dallas Cowboys (4-4)

For as much talent that resides on the Cowboys squad and despite the expectation of their inconsistency these days, it's still shocking to see Dallas continue to be erratic.

Sure, they've dealt with injuries, but who hasn't? And Dallas has overcome them to a certain degree. Though they have yet to really find a rhythm, it shouldn't continue to be a problem.

In Week 10 the Cowboys host the vulnerable Buffalo Bills who are susceptible to giving up points, although they do force quite a few turnovers. Dallas got back on track last week though—expect this momentum to build.

With their next three games against Washington, Miami and Arizona, we're looking at 8-4.

New England Patriots (5-3)

If only New England had a pass defense and a pass rush, they would be the best team in football. Bill Belichick's poor defense was safety guarded by Tom Brady and the offense through the first six weeks.

However, the Pats have dropped two straight even if they finally played a legit offensive passing unit, as well as a defense with a solid pass rush. That said, the Pats' biggest threat for the remainder of the season will be the Eagles offense, because no other opponent can match them (Bills have taken a step back).

The schedule also favors their defense with games against Kansas City, Indianapolis, Washington, Denver and Miami. So for the sake of Pats' fans, there is hope for the defense improving and gaining confidence before the playoffs.

Houston Texans (6-3)

We could say that Houston has caught fire NBA Jam style and their shoes are constantly on turbo, but that's not the case just yet.

Sure they've won three straight and hold a two-game divisional lead, however, all three wins came against Tennessee, Jacksonville and Cleveland. Let's not get ahead of ourselves.

But, while WR Andre Johnson has yet to return (for their sake hopefully sooner than later) and LB Mario Williams is out, the defense hasn't missed a step. And a Week 10 road win over the Bucs in Tampa will give them even more confidence heading into the late bye. 

Then, whenever Johnson returns will be the true "catching of the flame" for the Texans. They will only become that much better.

Although Houston is dangerous and scary good right now, with Johnson, elite is an understatement.

Week 10 NFL Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank)

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

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report. 

You can follow him on Twitter @ Sportswriter27.