Detroit Lions quarterback Jon Kitna thought he could beat the Jets’ secondary deep on Sunday, and in the second quarter he gave it a shot. Trailing the Jets 21–7, the Lions had the ball at their own 20-yard line, and Kitna threw 35 yards downfield to speedy receiver Devale Ellis.

It was the kind of pass that was intended to turn into an 80-yard touchdown, and it could have turned the game around if the Lions had completed it. Instead, Jets safety Kerry Rhodes picked it off, ending the Lions’ drive and ensuring that the Jets would go into the locker room at halftime with their two-touchdown lead intact.

The interception was yet another big play for Rhodes, who is quietly turning into one of the best safeties in the NFL. Rhodes has two interceptions, three sacks, three forced fumbles, and six passes deflected this season, and he’s also one of the Jets’ best players on kick coverage. A 2005 fourth-round draft pick out of Louisville, Rhodes has started every game and far exceeded expectations in his two seasons.

At 6 foot 3 inches and 210 pounds, Rhodes is lanky and significantly taller than most defensive backs — the average height of the safeties measured at the league’s scouting combine this year was just a fraction of an inch over six feet. But what really separates Rhodes isn’t height. Rhodes stands out because he has a keen sense for where the opposing quarterback wants to throw, a sense that is no doubt born of many hours scouring game film. It’s that ability to read offenses that puts Rhodes in position to make big plays like that interception on Sunday.

The 4–3 Jets are favored to beat the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, and after that they have their bye week. No Jets fan could complain about a 5–3 record at the halfway point, and halfway through the year, Rhodes is the most valuable player of a betterthan-expected team.