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The New York Jets defeated the New York Giants, 34 - 27, on Sunday as Jamal Adams dominated on defense and Sam Darnold played an efficient game on offense. Adams’ strip sack of Daniel Jones and romp to the end zone put the embarrassing highlight reel play of shame on the backs of the opponents for a change. The Jets improved their record to 2-7, and with that they rose in the power rankings for the first time in several weeks.
How far did the win over the lowly Giants take the Jets in the power rankings? Let’s find out.
29. JETS (2-7)
Last week’s ranking: 31
Week 10 result: Beat Giants 34-27
Analysis: The pressure comes off Adam Gase for a week. But he better beat Washington
Up next: at Washington
29. Jets (Last week: 31)
One week after what was absolutely Adam Gase’s worst game as a head coach (and that’s saying something) in a loss to the Dolphins, Gang Green got a little bit of much-needed traction in a win over the Giants. Not that the win was pretty — Gregg Williams’ defense allowed four touchdown passes to rookie quarterback Daniel Jones, and Jets quarterback Sam Darnold completed just 19 of 30 passes for 230 yards and a touchdown — but Darnold and Le’Veon Bell ran for touchdowns, and safety Jamal Adams returned a Jones fumble for a 25-yard touchdown. Winning ugly is an irrelevant concern for a team with this much of a deficit in talent and coaching acumen; the mere ability to come out ahead on any scoreboard should be seen as a plus — except for the extent to which it allows Gase to keep his job.
28. New York Jets (2-7) ( Last Week’s Rank: 31)
The Jets, by beating the Giants, are the pro football kings of New York City. Such as it is.
29. New York Jets (2-7) (Last Week’s Rank: 31)
Most important game left: Dec. 8 vs. Dolphins
File this one under “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice ...” The Jets can’t afford to be fooled twice by the Dolphins, who beat them in Week 9. It was the low point for the Adam Gase regime. Fortunately for the Jets, they get a chance for payback -- at home. More than that, the Jets can use the game as a progress meter. If the team truly is making strides over the second half of the season -- the only thing to sell to an angry fan base -- it will take care of business. On a personal level, it would be embarrassing for Gase to go 0-2 against his former team.
What do you think? Where should the Jets rank in the NFL power rankings?