That's what happens when you cancel friendlies (the recent game against NI is a prime example) or don't plan any in the first place. We'd be ranked top if we did the same. A friendly win against Germany in Berlin would actually lower our points per game average more than a home win against a low ranked side in a qualifier. Maybe even when we play a team like San Marino.
Well done to them for doing well but it's cheating the system. They're not alone. I think Romania do it too.