Jets Jump Ahead in NFL Power Rankings After Nearly Upsetting Buccaneers
The Jets fell to 4-12 on the season with a loss on Sunday, but their promising performance against the defending champs resulted in a boost in their spot on Sports Illustrated's Power Rankings.
New York was listed 31st last week, ahead of only the lowly Jaguars.
Now, they've jumped in front of three other teams heading into Week 18.
Here's SI's Conor Orr with an explanation as to why the Jets are now the NFL's 28th-ranked team entering the final week of the regular season:
28. New York Jets (4–12)
Last week: Loss vs. Tampa Bay, 28–24
Next week: at Buffalo
This team performed at expectation this year, which, when you consider the totality of their experiences in 2021, is pretty remarkable. Robert Saleh’s club beat the Titans, the Bengals and nearly held on to nip the Buccaneers. We said that their 2021 should be measured in an ability to hang tough. Minus some forgettable Patriots games, that seems to be the case.
This year has been far from perfect for the Jets and there are still countless flaws up and down this rebuilding roster. But to hang with the Buccaneers this late in the season, while missing a plethora of players to injuries and COVID-19, you have to feel optimistic about the future if you are head coach Robert Saleh or general manager Joe Douglas.
The job is far from finished, though. The pressure is on for New York to hit on their draft picks this April—New York has four selections in the top-38 picks of the 2022 NFL draft—before spending smartly in free agency.
MORE:
- Should the Jets Draft Purdue's George Karlaftis?
- Robert Saleh Provides an Update on Michael Carter's Concussion
- Wilson's Strong Outing the Silver Lining in Heartbreaking Defeat
Follow Max Goodman on Twitter (@MaxTGoodman), be sure to bookmark Jets Country and check back daily for news, analysis and more.
