2012 NFL power rankings: Rams all over the place in power rankings

With a 31-17 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, the St. Louis Rams finally got back on track, but have a long way to go to claw back into playoff contention. While the win was enough to boost the Rams a few spots in some power rankings, that wasn't the case in Joel Thorman's as he actually dropped the team one spot in his latest power rankings for SB Nation:

26. St. Louis Rams (LW: 25, 4-6-1): My surprise 2012 playoff team appears dead in the water. Note: don't listen to me next time I have a surprise playoff pick.

Perhaps it was the expectations, but whatever it was, the ESPN power rankings were much more generous to the Rams, giving them a five-spot boost for the victory and dishing out compliments for the St. Louis defense:

21. The Rams have allowed one TD pass with seven INTs and 18 sacks against NFC West quarterbacks. (Sando)

Pete Prisco of CBS Sports also gave the Rams a boost in his rankings, but highlighted the most important thing about the Rams for right now: the future.

19. It's too bad they can't play the Cardinals every week. Jeff Fisher has to like what he's seeing for the future.

With two first-round picks in each of the next two drafts due to a trade made with the Redskins prior to the 2012 NFL Draft, the future is bright for the Rams even if the 2012 season isn't. The Rams will next host the San Francisco 49ers in a rematch of a Week 10 tie in San Francisco.