NFL power rankings 2016, Week 10: Uh, oh! New York Giants vault into top 10

Three straight victories have vaulted the 5-3 New York Giants into serious playoff contention. They have also moved the Giants from the middle of the pack in weekly 2016 NFL power rankings into the top 10.

The Giants are No. 9 overall in our aggregated rankings. Seven of the 10 media outlets listed below have the Giants No. 10 or higher, with rankings ranging from No. 7 to No. 13. A week ago, the Giants were No. 15.

SB Nation (No. 7) | LW: 16

The New York Giants also made a big jump, but that’s more a product of teams like the Steelers, Vikings, and Broncos falling from grace. Still, three straight wins and an unexpectedly strong defense make the Giants look like a worthy challenger in one of the NFL’s best divisions.

NFL.com (No. 9) | LW: 17

That's why teams elect to pay big money to make over one side of the ball in free agency. Or, at least, that's why the Giants spent mucho dinero on the unit that doesn't salsa dance after scores. Steve Spagnuolo's defense wasn't perfect Sunday, but the clutch end-game save -- along with a pair of fourth-down stops in the first half -- won the contest for Big Blue. On another note, nice to see Sterling Shepard get involved in the offense again, especially on the easy pitch-and-catch that gave the Giants a two-score lead in the third quarter.

CBS Sports (No. 9) | LW: 13

Eli Manning and the offense got it going against the Eagles and they are 5-3 because of it. Up next is a tough game with the Bengals.

ESPN (No. 12) | LW: 22

56.4: Odell Beckham Jr. is averaging 84.5 receiving yards per game and is catching 56.4 percent of his targets this season, both the lowest of his career.

68.6: The 5-3 Giants haven't been as reliant on Beckham this season, as QB Eli Manning is completing 68.6 percent of his passes to all others, the highest rate of the Beckham era.

Yahoo! Sports (No. 13) | LW: 13

Rashad Jennings is the Giants’ leading rusher this season. He has 168 yards and is averaging 2.6 yards per carry. In related news, the Giants are averaging 68.2 rushing yards per game, dead last in the NFL.

USA Today (No. 9) | LW: 17

They're in position to solidify playoff push and might even creep up on Dallas as their next three opponents have combined five wins.

Washington Post (No. 10) | LW 14

Don’t look now but the Giants have emerged as the primary challenger to the Cowboys in the NFC East. They’ve won three straight games and they face the struggling Bengals, Bears and Browns the next three weeks.

FOX Sports (No. 8) | LW: 12

The Giants came off their bye to beat a reeling Eagles team at home, which may not sound that impressive, but it was a big win for their confidence. Eli Manning tried to give the game away twice, but the defense stepped up when it needed to most. Safety Landon Collins is a big reason for the team’s recent success -- he leads the Giants in tackles, interceptions and sacks.

Bleacher Report/Simms (No. 8) | LW: 17

Do I think this Giants team is a well-oiled machine?

Not really. I’m starting to see the new and expensive pieces fit together, though. The old pieces are starting to produce as well. That's why they jumped so high in the rankings this week.

Take Victor Cruz and Jason Pierre-Paul, for instance. Both guys are holdovers from the Giants’ last Super Bowl run, and both are clicking within the confines of a new team. Cruz caught a huge third-down throw. Pierre-Paul had an even bigger blocked field goal.

This team can run the ball better. It can target Odell Beckham Jr. more. It can give up fewer deep balls. But it has the pieces to accomplish all those things.

Pro Football Focus (No. 11) | LW: Unavailable