NFL Power Rankings Week 12 - Movin’ On Up

The New York Jets defeated the Wahington Redskins, 34 - 17, on Sunday as Jamal Adams dominated on defense and Sam Darnold threw four touchdown passes for the first time in his career. Adams had three sacks to bring his sack total in the last two games to five, a crazy number for a defensive back. The Jets improved their record to 3-7, and with that they continued to rise in the power rankings as they put together their first winning streak in more than a year.

How far did the win over the lowly Redskins take the Jets in the power rankings? Let’s find out.

Touchdown Wire

27. Jets (Last week: 29)

The Jets have now rolled off two straight wins after starting the season 1-7 and bottoming out in a Week 9 loss to the Dolphins. Credit must be given to Sam Darnold, who amassed five touchdowns to just one interception in that two-week stretch and looked especially effective when moving outside the pocket against the Redskins’ befuddled defense in Sunday’s 34-17 victory. Credit also must be given to safety Jamal Adams, who is playing out of his mind this season, seemingly unaffected by the impasse he had with the team earlier in the season. Adams has been stellar as a blitzer in Gregg Williams’ system, putting up a career-high three sacks on Sunday. With six on the season, he’s well on the pace to break the single-season mark for quarterback takedowns by a true safety — eight by Arizona’s Adrian Wilson in 2005. Adams wants to be paid like the NFL’s best at his position, and the Jets would be smart to do it, because a defensive player of his effectiveness and versatility — he’s just as good in intermediate and deep coverage as he is as a box blitzer — doesn’t come around too often.

Washington Post

22. New York Jets (3-7) ( Last Week’s Rank: 28)

The Jets, somehow, have received full credit in the standings for their victories over the Giants and Redskins the past two Sundays.

ESPN

28. New York Jets (3-7) (Last Week’s Rank: 29)

Most underrated player: Ryan Griffin, TE

The Jets signed Griffin to a one-year, $1.1 million contract before training camp, thinking he would be a hold-the-fort player until Chris Herndon returned from his four-game suspension. Griffin has exceeded expectations, especially in the passing game. He leads the team with four receiving touchdowns and is coming off his first 100-yard game, the first 100-yard game by a Jets tight end since Dustin Keller in 2011. The Jets have tweaked Griffin’s role in recent weeks, moving him around the formation. He has earned the trust of QB Sam Darnold. This was a terrific free-agent pickup.

What do you think? Where should the Jets rank in the NFL power rankings?