3 NFL Teams That Proved Their Worth in Week 9

Beating an underwhelming team is one thing, but when you battle past a solid team, you have truly earned your stripes.

In Week 9 of the NFL season, several NFL teams put forth magnificent efforts, ultimately coming out on top against formidable foes.

When you battle like this, you have earned a place in the latest edition of 3 Teams That Proved Their Worth.

3. New York Jets (5-3)

The Jets always seem to be a tumultuous team.

One second they're down, the next they're soaring up into the stratosphere.

The Jets haven't gotten a lot of respect since the first game of the season. They beat two "bad" teams in the Dallas Cowboys and Jacksonville Jaguars, lost their next three games, and still weren't given much credit for beating the Miami Dolphins and San Diego Chargers next.

But when the Jets blew out the Buffalo Bills in Week 9, 27-11, the respect was certainly there.

The pass defense made a mockery of Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, Mark Sanchez completed 71 percent of his throws and the Jets' offensive line allowed just one sack after the Bills had collected nine sacks the previous week against the Washington Redskins.

Respect: earned.

2. Baltimore Ravens (6-2)

The Ravens appeared to be sliding after losing, 12-7, to the Jaguars and barely edging out the Arizona Cardinals, but after soaring into Heinz Field and disposing of the Pittsburgh Steelers, they're baaack.

In their 23-20 victory against the Steelers, several Ravens players came to play. Quarterback Joe Flacco got back on track against a formidable defense and rookie wide receiver Torrey Smith had the game-winning catch with eight seconds left in another physical battle.

The Ravens are still here folks, and they're looking pretty good.

1. New York Giants (6-2)

Eli Manning made headlines this offseason when he proclaimed he was in the same class as New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

But after sparking uproar from the nation, Manning went out and beat Brady and the Patriots in Week 9 despite being without star receiver Hakeem Nicks, star running back Ahmad Bradshaw and his starting center Davis Baas.

The Giants' defense forced four turnovers, including two interceptions from Brady, and rookie tight end Jake Ballard caught the game-winning touchdown pass with 15 seconds left.