Jets midseason report card

Rex Ryan thinks the Jets are flying at their highest altitude, playing as well as they have all season.

"This is the best team so far," he said Monday.

It's hard to argue that. Even when the Jets got off to a 2-0 start, they weren't doing it in the same fashion they are now. They've returned to the winning formula that helped vault them into successive AFC Championship Games in Ryan's first two seasons.

The Jets have reversed course from their three-game losing streak, turning it around by winning three in a row leading into Sunday's big game against the Patriots. But there's still plenty of room for improvement and things they'll have to correct if they want to make the playoffs for a third straight season.

Here's how they grade out at midseason:

OFFENSE: C

In the preseason, there was big talk about the offense having the talent and personnel to average 30 points per game. However, the Jets are scoring 24.9 points per contest, and they've been inconsistent. They're ranked 28th in the NFL in offense, averaging 306 yards a game, and their rushing attack is just now starting to find its mojo. Shonn Greene is running much better, carrying the ball no fewer than 20 times and rushing for at least 74 yards in his last three games. Mark Sanchez's play has been erratic. He's completed only 57.5 percent of his attempts for 1,775 yards, throwing 13 touchdown passes, seven interceptions and losing five fumbles. The QB must improve his decision-making. He can't throw silly drive-killing interceptions in the end zone, like he did in Week 3 in Oakland and this past Sunday against the Bills. They must find a way to keep Santonio Holmes, Plaxico Burress and Dustin Keller involved in the passing attack each week.

DEFENSE: B-

After struggling mightily and finding themselves in the lower echelon of the league's rankings, Mike Pettine's troops have slowly regained that feisty, playmaking form, and are ranked eighth overall. They suffocated the Bills on the road in a hostile environment, easily their top performance of the season. The Jets have already eclipsed last year's interception total, posting 13 compared to the 12 they had in 2010. Darrelle Revis leads the team with four, which includes the 100-yard return for a TD against the Dolphins, and is making a strong case for defensive player of the year honors. Rookie DE Muhammad Wilkerson looks like he could be a keeper, and DT Sione Pouha has quietly once again been a steady force in the middle. LB Aaron Maybin is a key addition, tying for the team lead in sacks with three and aiding their pass rush.

SPECIAL TEAMS: A

The seamless transition of Mike Westhoff's unit can be amazing at times. No matter who he plugs in, it always somehow works out. Joe McKnight, who took over the kickoff-return duties in Week 4 after Antonio Cromartie was banged up in Oakland, has been great in that role. His 40.2-yard average is tops in the league among regular returners. He had a 107-yard TD against the Ravens, and has at least one lengthy return in each game. Rookie Jeremy Kerley has been steady, averaging nearly 10 yards per punt return. Kicker Nick Folk made his first 11 field goals before missing his first kick of the season Sunday. The weakest link is punter T.J. Conley, whose 37.8-yard average ranks 23rd in the league.

COACHING: B

At times, the staff didn't appear to be making adjustments quickly enough. They were at a loss for answers on how to get the offense and defense off to quicker starts. Rex Ryan left Sanchez in a blowout in Week 2 just to get try to get Burress a touchdown, nearly getting the QB injured. But Ryan should get credit for managing the mini-crisis when Holmes called out the offensive line and guard Brandon Moore fired back. Sending them both out to midfield for the coin toss in their Week 6 contest with the Dolphins was a way to try to keep the team intact, especially in light of the Derrick Mason trade during what was a tumultuous week. Whenever the Jets seem headed for chaos, Ryan finds the right way to calm things down.