With two big wins in their last two games, one has to wonder when -- or even if -- it will be time to consider the Arizona Cardinals one of the teams to beat in the NFC.

The very mention of the Cardinals as a top-tier team didn't seem likely a few weeks ago, when Arizona followed up wins over the inferior 49ers and Dolphins with back-to-back road losses to the Redskins and Jets.

However, something happened to the club after its East Coast trip. Arizona returned home to hand Buffalo its first loss of the season before posting what could end up being its defining win of the year -- a 30-24 overtime victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

After all, just beating the Cowboys would have been enough. But the Cardinals took it a step further, getting contributions from all aspects of the club and overcoming a bit of adversity while continuing to impress at home.

There was running back J.J. Arrington taking the game's opening kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown to set the tone. There was quarterback Kurt Warner throwing another two touchdown passes -- including a scoring strike to wideout Larry Fitzgerald in the third quarter just two plays after having a touchdown throw to Fitzgerald reversed by a Cowboys' challenge.

Then there was the game's epic conclusion -- Dallas driving down to the Arizona 39 with four seconds left and down by three, only to get moved up another five yards after Cardinals defensive end Travis LaBoy couldn't get up the field on the attempted spike play, resulting in an offsides call.

It didn't end there, as Dallas kicker Nick Folk appeared to miss the 52-yard attempt as time expired. However, the play was ruled dead as Arizona head coach Ken Whisenhunt had called timeout before the snap.

Of course, Folk made his redemption kick, and Dallas then won the coin toss to start the overtime frame. However, a sack by linebacker Chike Okeafor pushed Dallas back seven yards and two incomplete passes later, the Cowboys were punting.

Then came a blocked punt by wideout Sean Morey that was recovered by linebacker Monty Beisel and taken three yards into the end zone for the winning score.

Now, one can argue about the Cardinals status in the NFC -- the top team in a weak division, no running game, a suspect defense -- the list goes on. But no one will dispute that the Cowboys are considered by many the team to beat in the conference.

So what does an Arizona win over Dallas mean? Does it signal the Cardinals' rise amongst the best in the NFC?

"I don't know if it's a statement game, but it certainly was a very good win for our team," Whisenhunt told his team's official site.

Of course, there is still plenty of football yet to be played. But heading into a bye week, the Cardinals are two games up in a very weak NFC West and can take a big step forward in clinching their first division crown since winning the NFC East in 1975 following their week off.

Following a test with Carolina, the Cardinals play in St. Louis, host the 49ers and then play in Seattle. Those three clubs are currently a combined 4-12 and looking up at the Cards. After that, Arizona gets another chance to make a statement with a home test against the Giants on November 23.

UP NEXT: The Cardinals head into a bye week 4-2 and in first place in the NFC West.

RAMS: CHANGE RESULTS IN WIN

In all fairness to fired head coach Scott Linehan, perhaps change was all the St. Louis Rams needed.

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