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NFL Power Rankings Week 10: Dolphins starting to get respect

The Dolphins are suddenly knocking on the top ten in some power rankings.

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NFL: New York Jets at Miami Dolphins Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Dolphins are in the midst of a three-game winning streak and are the first team on the outside of the AFC Playoff picture. They have seen modest climbs in the various power rankings from around the internet over the past couple of weeks, but can a physical win over the former top-ranked rush-defense in the league be enough to start changing modest climbs into big jumps?

Each week, we take a look at some of the various NFL Power Rankings from around the web, seeing where the Miami Dolphins are ranked and what other sites are saying about the team. Here is the Week 10 version of the Power Rankings review:

SB Nation

Week 10: 17
Last Week: 19
Comments: No team specific comments.


Fox Sports

Week 10: 20
Last Week: 23
Comments: The Dolphins continued to ride Jay Ajayi to third straight victory as they’ve surged up the AFC standings to a 4-4 record. They haven’t become an overly frightening team to play, but if they can continue to run the ball like this, they could become a challenge down the stretch.


USA Today

Week 10: 11
Last Week: 23
Comments: Jay Ajayi deservedly being lauded amid three-game win streak. Yet it should be noted Ryan Tannehill hasn't turned ball over during this run.


Yahoo!

Week 10: 25
Last Week: 27
Comments: It’s amazing how things can turn on a dime in the NFL. The Dolphins were 1-4, and their win was a lucky win at home in overtime against the Browns. Since then they’ve won three in a row, with two solid victories against Buffalo and Pittsburgh. It’s like the Dolphins became an entirely different team.


CBS Sports

Week 10: 15
Last Week: 20
Comments: The running game has this team at 4-4. Adam Gase has done a heck of a job.


NFL.com

Week 10: 17
Last Week: 22
Comments: Jay Ajayi didn't put the team on his back this week. The Dolphins' defense and special teams took care of that for him. So many important plays to circle in Miami's division win over the Jets, with none bigger than Kenyan Drake's 96-yard return TD to immediately answer New York's go-ahead score late in the fourth quarter. After stumbling around the 25, the rookie out of Alabama exploded around the 35-yard line to take it to the house. Or maybe it was the 40 ... or 45. I've watched it three times. The dude is running so fast, for the life of me, I can't tell where he turned it on. Oh, Ajayi rushed for a "quiet" 111 yards. Not bad.


ESPN

Week 10: 25
Last Week: 28
Comments: 100: That's the magic number for the Dolphins' rushing attack, as they are 4-0 when rushing for 100-plus yards this season (and 0-4 when rushing for fewer than 100).
3: The Dolphins have won three straight thanks to Jay Ajayi, who has at least 100 yards and a touchdown in all three games. He's one game shy of tying the longest such streak in franchise history (Ricky Williams in 2002).


PFF

Week 10: 23
Last Week: 23
Comments: No Comments.


Bleacher Report

Week 10: 16
Last Week: 21
Comments: That fourth-ranked Jets run defense?

Still no match for Jay Ajayi. Miami’s power back didn’t eclipse the 200-yard mark, but he dig drag Gang Green defenders with him on some smart, efficient runs. It’s encouraging that he can come right back off the bye and still put numbers up.

Also encouraging: Ryan Tannehill’s day behind center. I know the yards (149) and touchdowns (just one) weren’t there against a down-and-out defense. But the kid made a handful of impressive throws and avoided the backbreaking interception. Miami will take that.

Looking forward: Miami is out on the West Coast for a big showdown in San Diego. Can Ryan Tannehill keep pace with Philip Rivers?


Sports Illustrated

Week 10: 12
Last Week: 20
Comments: Miami’s last road game came on Sept. 29, a loss to Cincinnati in which Jay Ajayi saw six carries (which at the time brought his total to 18 for the year). Things are different as the Dolphins, now 4–4, prepare for a potentially season-defining swing through San Diego and Los Angeles. Ajayi has averaged 176.3 yards rushing during his team’s ongoing three-game win streak.​


Niners Nation

Week 10: 21
Last Week: 22
Comments: No comments.


Arizona Republic

Week 10: 20
Last Week: 22
Comments: Jay Ajayi. It’s just fun to say, isn’t it? He’s even more fun to watch, trust me.


Averages

  • Week 10 Average: 19
  • Week 9 Average: 22
  • Change: +3
  • Highest Week 10 Ranking: 11 (USA Today)
  • Lowest Week 10 Ranking: 25 (ESPN / Yahoo)
  • Highest Single Site Weekly Ranking: 11 (USA Today - Week 10)
  • Lowest Single Site Weekly Ranking: 31 (NFL/USA Today - Week 5)
  • Highest Average Weekly Ranking: 19 Week 10
  • Lowest Average Weekly Ranking: 28 Week 5