NFL Power Rankings Week 12: Jets Slide Down, Giants Move Up
Nov 17, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (90) celebrates his interception return for a touchdown with New York Giants defensive tackle Linval Joseph (97) and New York Giants corner back Prince Amukamara (20) during the fourth quarter of a game against the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Another week of football is in the books, ladies and gentlemen; Week 11 provided us with some very interesting factoids: Let’s just get this out of the way right now, Nick Foles is the truth. The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback has been accurate and effective and is proving doubters wrong. Apparently Goodell’s mission is to turn the NFL into a flag football league; after winning four games in a row, the Giants moved up the rankings and are now on their way to the Super Bowl, and the Jets are the same ol’ Jets.
Speaking of rankings, before the start of the season, NFL’s power rankings ranked the New York Jets at No. 32 and ranked the New York Giants at No. 12. Well, things have sure changed 11 weeks into the season. Let’s check where the ESPN rankings have the Jets and Giants going into Week 12.
New York Giants
Nov 17, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) runs with the ball against Green Bay Packers defensive end Mike Daniels (76) and outside linebacker Mike Neal (96) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. The play was called back on a penalty. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Giants keep making their way up the ladder. This week the team is ranked No. 22 after winning their fourth game in a row, moving up three spots from last week.
Sky’s the limit for Big Blue, who have won four in a row after a 0-6 start, or so the media seems to think. In the NFL, it’s about skill and preparation but also about some luck, and lately, luck has been good to the Giants. The Giants have been facing teams that have been hit hard by the injury bug, but not to take away from the Giants’ wins, a win is a win. No, they don’t get style points in the way they’ve won, but they have been making a run and won’t go quietly.
The Giants have been taking it out of Eli Manning’s hands (responsible for 21 turnovers) and running the ball more, and it has been working. In a putrid division, can the Giants continue their streak and make their way to the top?
New York Jets
Nov 17, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (88) catches a pass and runs for a touchdown as New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie (31) and safety Ed Reed (22) pursue during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Jets 37-14. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
This week, the Jets are ranked No. 16, sliding down four spots after being ranked No. 12 in last week’s rankings.
The New York Jets continue their wild inconsistencies. After a huge Week 9 win against the New Orleans Saints, the Jets went into their bye with a 5-4 record and got closer to making the playoffs after a two-year hiatus. Well, after the team’s bye, they came out flat and lost an important division game against the Buffalo Bills, 37-14.
The secondary is a shell of its former self (read: Antonio Cromartie) and Geno Smith continues his Jekyll and Hyde-like performances. Smith is responsible for 20 turnovers (four pick-sixes) which is probably giving Rex Ryan a little deja vu; when will it come to an end? How much more until someone in the Jets organization pulls the plug on the Geno Smith project?
The Jets still have a chance at making the playoffs, but they need to stop their wild inconsistencies and start focusing.