NFL Power Rankings, Week 7: Giants rise in rankings after first win

It took six weeks but the New York Giants finally earned their first win of the season when they defeated the division-rival Washington Football Team, 20-19, Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

Aggregating seven rankings from around the Internet, the Giants come out to an average ranking of No. 28 in the 32-team NFL. In one ranking, the Giants jumped all the way up to No. 24. For a team that has finished in the bottom third of the league for the majority of the season, this Week 7 ranking reflects some positive signs of growth for Joe Judge’s Giants.

Let’s check out what outlets around the league are saying about the Giants heading into Week 7 of the season:

USA Today: No. 30

Though they’re (arguably) the most talented team in – OK, near – New York City, G-Men are outgunned pretty much ever week. But congrats to rookie coach Joe Judge and his troops, who unfailingly compete and saw their effort pay off Sunday.

CBS Sports (Prisco): No. 29

Coach Joe Judge got his first victory last week against Washington, which takes off some of the pressure. The defense made some big plays.

The Washington Post: No. 24

All it takes is one win for the Giants to move into contention in the NFC East and prove decisively that they’re the finest NFL team in the Meadowlands.

Sports Illustrated: No. 29

The Giants finally got off the schneid against Washington, a win they desperately needed. I wouldn’t say their record is deceptive, but they have been competitive in all but one of their games, all of which were against playoff contenders until this Sunday. This middle part of their schedule is much easier than the opening month, and if they can split with the Eagles and beat Washington again, they could be 3–7 and somehow in the NFC East chase on Thanksgiving.

Pro Football Talk: No. 27

Another year, another win over Washington that will give Washington a higher spot in the draft order.

ESPN: No. 31

NFL.com: No. 29

The Giants finally have a win, because they found ways to make plays in money time. Late in the fourth quarter, Kyler Fackrell sacked Washington quarterback Kyle Allen, and rookie Tae Crowder (Mr. Irrelevant 2020!) scooped up the loose ball and returned it 43 yards for a score to give the Giants the lead. When Ron Rivera got frisky and went for a game-winning 2-point conversion instead of a PAT in the final minute, the New York defense bowed up and forced Allen into a game-sealing incompletion. It’s not a particularly helpful win for Giants fans in “Tank For Trevor” mode, but forget that. This is a team with a new head coach in Joe Judge and a still-green QB in Daniel Jones. Patience, salty grasshoppers of the Meadowlands.