2013 NFL Power Rankings: Week 10 ESPN.com

Week: Select Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

It's safe to say the Jets opened the season as afterthoughts.

Heading into Week 1, Rex Ryan's seemingly dysfunctional bunch resided at the very bottom of our hierarchy (yes, even below Jacksonville). Now, as we enter Week 10, our voters (John Clayton, Ashley Fox, Dan Graziano, Jamison Hensley, Mike Sando and Kevin Seifert) hold the Jets in much higher regard. After an impressive victory over the high-powered Saints, New York sits at No. 14, its high-water mark of 2013.

The Jets aren't the only ones in the midst of an impressive rise to respectability. The Panthers, who started the regular season at No. 23, have jumped to No. 12 after four straight wins. The Titans, who opened at No. 27, have clawed their way up to No. 16. The Lions, No. 21 at the start, round out our top 10 for the second straight week.

Are any of these teams bound for the playoffs? It's still too early to tell, but each one -- especially the Jets -- has officially shed the afterthought label it had in September. That's a big first step.

Note: The comments below are provided by ESPN Stats & Information.

• Reporters' analysis | Rank 'Em | Mike & Mike | No Wayne, no problem for Colts | Team Power Rankings charts since 2002