Despite losing a close game to the Buffalo Bills, 20-12, and falling to 7-6, Robert Saleh’s team dropped just one place in the latest edition of the NFL Power Rankings. Yahoo Sports had them as high as #10 overall, while ESPN, NFL.com and USA Today all placed the Gang Green at #12. The lowest position came from ProFootballTalk, #17. This Sunday the Jets will take on the surging Detroit Lions (6-7) in what could be the last chance to keep their playoff hopes alive. The latest line has the Jets as one-point favorites.
Here’s what different power rankings websites had to say about the Jets:
ESPN: The Jets have some promising young players on offense, most notably wideout Garrett Wilson, but they have topped the 30-point mark only twice. Two factors could explain it: upheaval at quarterback (three different starters) and offensive tackle (six different starters). Zach Wilson’s regression, and eventual benching, is a big reason for the quarterback instability. A new and improved secondary, led by cornerbacks Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed, is the biggest reason for the massive improvement on defense. A season ago, the Jets had arguably the worst defense; now it is a legit top-10 unit.
The Sporting News: The Jets’ offense is trying to reboot with Mike White and Zonovan Knight and while that’s worked to some extent, they can get overwhelmed against tougher defenses. Their own Robert Saleh-inspired defense is still the backbone of a final playoff push.
CBS Sports: The offense didn’t do enough against the Bills, but that didn’t stop coach Robert Saleh from saying he would see them again come playoff time. That’s some real confidence there.
ProFootballTalk: Even in defeat, Mike White earns more respect from teammates and opponents.
Yahoo Sports: The Jets keep losing players. If defensive tackle Quinnen Williams misses time with a calf injury that’s a huge blow. He’d probably be an All-Pro if the voting happened today. Receiver Corey Davis and quarterback Mike White were banged up in the game too. Injuries are piling up for the Jets.
NFL.com: No one will ever question Mike White’s toughness after Sunday. The quarterback was knocked from the game twice on crushing hits from Buffalo defenders, only to make his way back to the field each time. After the 20-12 loss, White left the stadium in an ambulance for a precautionary exam on his ribs. On Monday, Robert Saleh praised White’s performance and expressed optimism the QB would be on the field for a pivotal Week 15 matchup against the surging Lions. The Jets have lost four of six with just two touchdowns in the past two games. This is a feel-good story that ends with disappointment (and more QB health concerns) if the offensive line can’t be more competitive.
USA Today: First-round WR Garrett Wilson has taken off with tough-as-nails QB Mike White in the lineup. Over the past three weeks, Wilson has averaged 111.7 receiving yards, and his 868 on the season are a new team record for rookies.
| Preseason | W1 | W2 | W3 | W4 | W5 | W6 | W7 | W8 | W9 | W10 | W11 | W12 | W13 | W14 | W15 | W16 | W17 | W18 | |
| ESPN | 30 | 32 | 29 | 31 | 23 | 16 | 9 | 8 | 13 | 8 | 10 | 15 | 11 | 12 | 12 | ||||
| Sporting News | 24 | 32 | 28 | 28 | 22 | 16 | 14 | 8 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 16 | ||||
| CBS Sports | 29 | 31 | 23 | 27 | 26 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 14 | ||||
| PFT | 31 | 32 | 19 | 24 | 16 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 17 | ||||
| Yahoo Sports | 27 | 31 | 28 | 32 | 27 | 24 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 10 | 9 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 10 | ||||
| NFL.com | 26 | 32 | 25 | 31 | 26 | 17 | 13 | 10 | 14 | 9 | 10 | 14 | 10 | 10 | 12 | ||||
| USA Today | 27 | 32 | 23 | 28 | 22 | 17 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 12 | ||||
| 27.7 | 31.7 | 25 | 28.7 | 23.1 | 16.6 | 10.6 | 9 | 13.6 | 10.9 | 11 | 14.7 | 11.9 | 12.3 | 13.3 |
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