Coming Off Bye, Jets Drop Slightly in Sports Illustrated's Power Rankings

Gang Green can move over .500 by defeating the Giants in Week 8

The bye week should prove beneficial to the New York Jets in the long run, but it costed them two spots in Sports Illustrated's weekly NFL Power Rankings.

Coming off the dramatic Week 6 win over the previously-undefeated Philadelphia Eagles, the Jets (3-3) rose to No. 12 overall before slipping into the No. 14 slot after an idle Week 7. 

Remaining in the upper half of the league-wide rankings, Gang Green still sits behind fellow AFC East members No. 8 Miami (5-2) and No. 10 Buffalo (4-3). New England (2-5) ascended to the No. 27 spot on the heels of its 29-25 victory over the Bills.

The Jets already have victories over two Top 10 teams — No. 1 Philadelphia and the Bills — and nearly a third. Gang Green came up three points short against the No. 2 Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4. 

The Green & White defense limited quarterbacks Jalen Hurts, Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes to a combined 3:8 touchdown-to-interception passing ratio. The Jets have permitted only 11 second-half points over their last three outings, including blanking the Eagles after halftime. On the offensive side, Jets' running back Breece Hall has returned to his pre-injury production level. He paces the NFL in yards per carry average (6.5).

From Eagles Fly to No. 1 While Raiders Reach Nadir of Josh McDaniels Era:

14. New York Jets (3–3)

Last week: BYE

Next week: at New York Giants 

It’s time for the Jets to step into playoff contention mode. Their reprieve from a brutal beginning of the season is here: the Giants at home, followed by an additional rest day and the Chargers on Monday Night Football, which is also at home. Not an easy stretch, but both games are winnable based on the way they’ve been playing in recent weeks.

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Gang Green ranks significantly higher than its Week 8 opponent. Following a 14-7 win over Washington, the New York Giants (2-5) jumped up to No. 25 overall. The Jets are currently 3.0-point "road" favorites over the Giants on the betting line. 

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