Sports

Post Power Rankings: Jets, Giants miss chance to join elite

Two weeks ago, the Jets and Giants collected their biggest wins of the NFL season with victories over the Bills and Patriots, respectively.

They each had chances to back up those wins with even bigger ones. The Giants could have gone from a team hoping to win its division to one with a chance to earn a first-round bye, but a 27-20 loss to the now 8-1 49ers now makes that a long shot.

The Jets could have taken control of the AFC East with a win over the Patriots, but now that New England has the season sweep, the Jets’ best chance of making the playoffs will again be as a wild-card team.

1. Packers (9-0) (Previous Rank: 1) – After throwing four more touchdowns against the Vikings, Aaron Rodgers has 28 for the season with three interceptions.

2. 49ers (8-1) (2) – San Francisco could not run the ball against the Giants, but Alex Smith had one of his best games of the season, throwing for 242 yards and a touchdown.

3. Saints (7-3) (4) – Most have concentrated on Falcons coach Mike Smith’s decision to go for it on fourth-and-inches in OT, but New Orleans’ much-maligned defense deserves credit for stuffing Michael Turner and setting up its offense for the win.

4. Steelers (7-3) (6) – Bye comes at right time for Pittsburgh with Ben Roethlisberger suffering a broken thumb on his throwing hand in a win at Cincinnati.

5. Patriots (6-3) (7) – With Eagles being toughest game remaining, New England is in the driver’s seat for an eighth AFC East title in nine years.

6. Bears (6-3) (11) – The return of Earl Bennett has given Jay Cutler the go-to receiver he desperately needs.

7. Ravens (6-3) (3) – Jets fans think their offensive coordinator, Brian Schottenheimer, is bad, but Cam Cameron is single-handedly tanking Baltimore’s season by ignoring Ray Rice.

8. Giants (6-3) (5) – Things still not looking good for Ahmad Bradhshaw’s return this Sunday against the Eagles.

9. Texans (7-3) (14) – Matt Leinart has just been handed a golden opportunity to prove the first five years of his disappointing career was just the longest fluke in history.

10. Bengals (6-3) (8) – Need at least one win over Steelers or Ravens to stay in wild-card race.

11. Jets (5-4) (10) – Appear to be the only team that cannot expose the Patriots secondary.

12. Lions (6-3) (9) – Matthew Stafford played his worst game of the year in windy Chicago.

13. Cowboys (5-4) (16) – As inconsistent as its been, Dallas is still biggest threat to the Giants in the NFC East. An easy schedule should set the stage for two crucial matchups with the Giants in the season’s final four weeks.

14. Falcons (5-4) (13) – A home loss to New Orleans means Atlanta will have to go the wild-card route if it hopes to make the playoffs.

15. Raiders (5-4) (20) – Michael Bush is looking like a fine replacement for Darren McFadden.

16. Bills (5-4) (12) – First Rex Ryan then brother Rob in Dallas shut down Buffalo’s previously red-hot offense.

17. Titans (5-4) (19) – Chris Johnson finally broke out with 130 yards and a touchdown in a rout of the Panthers.

18. Tampa Bay (4-5) (15) – Last year Tampa Bay was a surprise 9-7 team, but this year’s back-pedaling already has Raheem Morris’ job in jeopardy.

19. Chargers (4-5) (17) – Philip Rivers and Jay Cutler will resume their old AFC West rivalry in Chicago this Sunday.

20. Broncos (4-5) (23) – They can’t really beat the Jets with that offense, right?

21. Eagles (3-6) (18) – Andy Reid has survived a lot in Philadelphia, but this disaster of a season may force a change.

22. Cardinals (3-6) (26) – John Skelton gives Arizona the best chance to win, but when Kevin Kolb and his $65 million contract return from a toe injury that may not matter.

23. Seahawks (3-6) (25) – Marshawn Lynch is quietly having a decent season in Seattle.

24. Vikings (2-7) (24) – Two of Christian Ponder’s first three starts came against the Packers, but luckily the rookie won’t see the defending champs again until next season.

25. Rams (2-7) (27) – St. Louis has played nine games and does not have a receiver with more than 300 yards.

26. Dolphins (2-7) (29) – Matt Moore is a respectable 37 of 52 for 453 yards in leading Miami to back-to-back wins.

27. Jaguars (3-6) (28) – Their offense is so inept they couldn’t even take advantage of the Colts’ awful defense.

28. Chiefs (4-5) (21) – Tyler Palko steps in as quarterback just as Kansas City hits the brutal part of its schedule starting with New England on Monday night.

29. Panthers (2-7) (22) – Taking the Cam Newton blinders off: Carolina had to take a serious rankings tumble after a pitiful 30-3 home loss to Tennessee.

30. Browns (3-6) (30) – Cleveland’s football history was nicely summed up by their botching of a 22-yard field goal that would have beaten St. Louis on Sunday.

31. Redskins (3-6) (31) – Rex Grossman clearly gives them the best chance of winning; yes, John Beck, that was a direct shot at you.

32. Colts (0-10) (32) – One week closer to Andrew Luck.