Jets Sink in Power Rankings After Another Blowout Loss - But There Are Glimmers of Hope
The New York Jets are limping into Week 17 after a 29-6 defeat at the hands of the New Orleans Saints - a game that wasn’t just a loss, but another chapter in a season that’s felt like a slow-motion unraveling.
After dropping three straight by an average margin of 25 points, the Jets have found themselves parked at or near the bottom of nearly every national power ranking. And while the standings don’t lie, the situation in New York is more layered than just a string of ugly scorelines.
Let’s break down where the Jets stand across the major outlets heading into Week 17 - and why, despite the chaos, there might be a foundation forming beneath the rubble.
**USA Today: No. 32 (Previously No.
29)**
The Jets hit rock bottom here.
The takeaway? “Trust the process,” even if that process currently involves being outscored by nearly four touchdowns per game over the last three weeks.
It’s a tough pill to swallow, but this is the kind of stretch that tests the resolve of a franchise - and its fan base.
Pro Football Talk: No. 29 (No Change)
PFT isn’t moving the Jets, but the tone is telling: “Things will get better. One of these days.”
That’s the kind of hopeful sarcasm that’s become all too familiar for Jets fans. Statistically, regression to the mean should eventually kick in - but the Jets are making that theory sweat.
The Athletic: No. 30 (Down from 28)
The Athletic zeroed in on what’s become the central issue: quarterback play. Rookie Brady Cook is expected to make his third consecutive start, but his performance against the Saints - 5.3 yards per attempt, one interception, and just 195 total yards of offense - didn’t inspire much confidence.
The Jets failed to score a touchdown, and the offense looked lifeless from start to finish.
But let’s be real: quarterback is just one of many concerns. This team is banged up, thin on playmakers, and still trying to find its identity under first-year head coach Aaron Glenn.
Bleacher Report: No. 29 (Down from 28)
Bleacher Report didn’t mince words. The Jets, they say, need a full reset - quarterback, roster, coaching staff.
Glenn’s future is being openly questioned, not because he lacks defensive chops, but because the job might’ve been impossible from the start.
With an undrafted rookie under center, their top receiver sidelined, and two of their best defenders traded away, the Jets were playing shorthanded before the game even kicked off. Still, getting blown out by a middling Saints team makes it hard to argue that progress is being made.
CBS Sports: No. 29
CBS echoed the growing uncertainty around Glenn’s job security. The product on the field has regressed, and while some within the organization may still back the rookie head coach, the results are getting harder to defend.
FOX Sports: No. 32
FOX dropped the hammer: “They barely put up a fight… and don’t seem to have any fight left at all.” It’s a harsh assessment, but not an unfair one.
The Jets didn’t look like a team fighting for pride or momentum. They looked like a team that’s ready for the season to end.
Pro Football Focus: No. 32 (Down 1)
PFF labeled the Jets as “hard to watch,” and it’s hard to argue. Brady Cook posted a 28.5 overall grade in Week 16 - a number that reflects just how tough things have been for the offense.
But here’s where it gets interesting: PFF pointed out a legitimate silver lining. Rookie right tackle Armand Membou and second-year left tackle Olu Fashanu have quietly become one of the more promising young tackle duos in the league. Membou, in particular, has stood out with a 71.6 grade, ranking 30th among all tackles, while Fashanu isn’t far behind at 70.0.
If you’re looking for a reason to believe, it starts in the trenches. The Jets may not have their franchise quarterback yet, but they might already have the guys who will be protecting him.
Sports Illustrated: No. 31 (No Change)
SI took a different route - highlighting the Jets’ historic drought in the interception department. With just two games left, they’re on pace to become the first team in NFL history to go an entire season without a single pick.
For context, the Vikings have 21. Even the teams tied for second-fewest - the Lions and Rams - have five.
That’s not just a quirky stat. It’s a sign of a defense that, while often resilient, hasn’t been able to create game-changing plays.
ESPN: No. 30 (No Change)
ESPN, like PFF, spotlighted Armand Membou as the team’s Rookie of the Year - and it wasn’t close. The No. 7 overall pick has been rock solid all season, ranking 12th in run block win rate and 21st in pass block win rate.
He’s started and finished every game, and rarely looks overwhelmed.
In a season full of missteps, Membou has been a steady presence. Combine that with Fashanu’s development, and general manager Darren Mougey might’ve quietly nailed his first two drafts on the offensive line.
Looking Ahead: Week 17 vs. Patriots
The Jets will close out their home slate with a divisional matchup against the Patriots - another team mired in transition. While the playoffs are long out of reach, this game still matters.
It’s a chance to evaluate young talent, test the resolve of the locker room, and maybe - just maybe - end the season on a note that doesn’t feel quite so bitter.
Final Word
There’s no sugarcoating it: the 2025 Jets are a mess.
But within the dysfunction, there are signs of a future worth building toward. The offensive line has the makings of something special.
And while the quarterback situation remains murky, the foundation is starting to take shape.
It’s not the season anyone in New York hoped for. But if the Jets can learn from this year’s pain - and hit on the next few moves - they might finally be on the road to something better.