Giants Rise in Latest MMQB NFL Power Rankings

The New York Giants took one small step upward in the latest MMQB power ranking poll, moving from No. 26 last week to No. 25 this week thanks to its 14-7 victory over the Washington Commanders.

Notes Conor Orr of the Giants' step up in ranking:

Deonte Banks got his first NFL reception on a perfectly Don Martindale-ian pressure look, preceded by an opening drive in which the Giants were trying to get Jalin Hyatt going (the big home run from Hyatt came later in the game, spoiled by a Saquon Barkley fumble after). He nearly came up with a touchdown catch as well. The positives are there for the Giants, who are developing some of their core players for the future, even if this season isn’t quite shaping up to be what they’d hoped for.

Although the Giants don't necessarily have the production in the points column to show for it, New York has been quietly playing better these last two weeks. They fought valiantly against the Buffalo Bills, holding that team scoreless through three quarters before an end-of-the-first-half clock mismanagement by quarterback Tyrod Taylor came back to haunt them at the end.

Giants Open as Slight Underdogs vs. Jets

The Giants also had their way with the Commanders last week, outscoring them 14-7 in a dominating defensive effort.

Although no one should expect the Giants to challenge for placement in the top 10 of any power ranking poll, there are some things for the fan base to be encouraged by other than the play of the defense.

The Giants have quietly flipped the page to more of its youth, such as getting Tre Hawkins and Deonte Banks more time at cornerback (Hawkins was in there after Adoree' Jackson was declared out with a neck injury) and feeding the ball on offense to receivers Jalin Hyatt and Wan'Dale Robinson, two very exciting players.

In reality, the Giants franchise is right about where it should have been all along in its retooling of the lackluster unit that we've seen for most of the last decade. While last year's 9-7-1 record, accompanied by a playoff berth, spawned hope among the fan base, it's important to remember that Rome wasn't built in a day, and this Giants team, while still lacking in some areas, is still very much a work in progress that appears to be at least headed in the right direction.

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