Draft Insiders’ – NFL Power Poll – Week 11
Vikings Shock Bills
Packers Rally to Beat Cowboys
Bucs Beat Seahawks
Team of the Week
Packers Edge Cowboys in OT
Players of the Week
NFC
Offense – WR Justin Jefferson – Vikings
Defense – LB Devin White – Bucs
AFC
Offense – QB Tua Tagovailoa – Dolphins
Defense – LB Willie Gay – Chiefs
Rookies of the Week
Offense – WR Christian Watson – Packers
Defense – LB Jack Sanborn – Bears
Games of Week 12
Thursday night -Titans at Packers – 8:15 pm
Sunday – Cowboys at Vikings – 4:30 pm – Fox
Sunday night – Chiefs at Chargers – 8:20 pm – NBC
NFL Team Power Poll
Draft Insiders’ Staff
Ranking /Record /Team
#1 – 7-2 Chiefs
Chiefs are running on all cylinders behind Patrick Mahomes. Their potent offense is the best in the game and their defense has improved in key areas to make them again the favorite to reach the SB.
#2 – 8-1 Eagles
The Eagles were wacked by the Commanders to fall from the undefeated ranks. They get a heavy dose of NFC matchups through the 2nd half that will challenge their NFC East leadership.
#3 – 8-1 Vikings
Vikings beat the Bills in Buffalo which is their biggest victory in years. QB Kirk Cousins continues to direct this high powered offense with wideout Justin Jefferson emerging as a dominant #1 playmaker.
#4 – 6-3 Bills
Bills have lost two in a row for the first time in a year. Ailing Josh Allen made a few big mistakes that cost them in key spots. Host the desperate Browns this week in a vital AFC game for both clubs.
#5 – 6-3 Ravens
The Ravens come off their bye week with a three game winning streak. Seven of their final eight games are against clubs with sub .500 records making them the favorite to claim the AFC North.
#6 – 7-3 Dolphins
Dolphins drilled the Browns thoroughly behind a balanced attack. Their defense needs to step up to hold the AFC East leadership and win key late games. They get their bye week here with critical AFC road games on their late schedule.
#7 – 6-3 Titans
The Titans beat the Broncos in tight AFC game. Travel to titletown to face the Packers on Thursday night
who are desperate for a winning stretch after being one of the more disappointing clubs in the
league.
#8 – 5-4 49ers
The 49ers came up big vs the Chargers in crunch time to get above the .500 mark. Their second half schedule is very favorable and they are on the verge of peaking in a weaker NFC West than expected at the start of the season.
#9 – 6-3 – Cowboys
The Cowboys are coming off a tough loss to the Packers in OT. Travel to Minnesota to face the 8-1 Vikings. Vet QB Dak Prescott faces a critical stretch here with this club needing strong leadership through an important series of games.
#10 – 7-2 Giants
The Giants are riding runner Saquon Barkley and QB Danny Jones into playoff contention. Face the Lions at home this week and better not look past this pesky club who stays within reach each game. GMen face a critical stretch from Thanksgiving thru Christmas which will determine any postseason plans.
#11 – 5-4 Bengals
The Bengals come off their bye week and travel to Pittsburgh with huge AFC North implications. Their big play offense behind Joe Burrow and Joe Mixon needs to set the pace behind a shaky line. Burrow is capable of carrying a club if consistent protection is provided.
#12 – 5-4 Chargers
The inconsistent Chargers fell late to the 49ers. Their offense struggles with injuries along the line and receiving corps limiting QB Justin Herbert. They host the Chiefs Sunday night in a must win situation for Chargers if they expect to challenge for the AFC West title or postseason.
#13 – 6-4 Seahawks
Seahawks lost to the Bucs in Germany in a close game. They get their bye week now to prep for a favorable final seven games. Vet QB Geno Smith and impressive rookie back Kenneth Walker gives this club a potent offense to matchup well with most teams.
#14 – 5-4 Patriots
The Pats come off their bye week and host the Jets where they have a long winning streak. Though currently in the AFC East basement, they are dangerous in big games and capable to pushing for a playoff spot in a wide open AFC race.
#15 – 6-3 Jets
Jets made a strong recovery from an earlier loss to the Patriots and shocked the Bills at home in their best victory in years. They get their rematch with the Patriots this week and must find a way to beat their division rival if they want to retain their momentum from the Buffalo win. QB Zach Wilson faces a huge test here.
#16 – 5-5 – Bucs
Bucs get to the .500 mark with win over the Seahawks entering their bye week. This veteran club is dangerous and holds first place in the weak NFC South. Five of their final seven games are against clubs with sub .500 records currently.
#17 – 4-6 Packers
The Packers ended their five game losing streak with a huge win over the Cowboys. They are within reach of a wildcat spot with a run here. They host the Titans on Thursday night in a must win situation to keep abreast in the NFC race.
#18 – 5-5 Commanders
The Commanders knocked the Eagles from the unbeatens and stayed in the NFC race despite residing in the basement. Travel to Houston and must sustain the momentum behind a savvy QB Taylor Heinicke and tough defense.
#19 – 3-6 Rams
Rams continue to struggle as injuries mount with wideout Cooper Kupp the latest casualty. They travel to New Orleans this week in a must win situation for both playoff hopefuls.
#20 – 3-6 Browns
Browns were crushed by the Dolphins last week. They get veteran QB DeShaun Watson off suspension, though he probably sits out the game vs the Bills this week. This club is probably prepping for next season unless they can a get strong run here.
#21 – 4-6 Falcons
Falcons were shocked by the Panthers last Thursday night. Host the Bears this week in a must win situation to get into the playoff race Their unreliable defense fails repeatedly in big spots and must find a way to contain Bears QB Justin Fields this week.
#22 – 4-6 Cardinals
The hot and cold Cardinals beat the Rams last week behind Colt McCoy. They travel to Mexico to face the 49ers in a must win situation for any mathematical changes for the postseason.
#23 – 4-5-1 Colts
Colts won their first game under new HC Jeff Saturday vs the lowly Raiders. Host the Eagles this week and are still alive in the AFC where many teams are within a game of .500 entering the stretch run.
#24 – 3-6 Steelers
Steelers are coming off a nice win over the Saints. Host the Bengals in a critical matchup for them to get into the playoff hunt. Rookie top pick QB Kenny Pickett will lead this team from here and gain valuable experience to advance his development.
#25 – 3-7 Saints
The Saints struggled to generate any offense vs the Steelers defense. This club lacks their future starting QB on the roster and is in limbo with a fading veteran unit with many expected upcoming changes.
#26 – 3-7 Bears
The Bears fell in a wild game with the Lions. QB Justin Fields has taken his game to another level especially as a runner. They travel to Atlanta with only slight chances to get into the playoff picture.
#27 – 3-7 Jaguars
Jaguars were outclassed by the Chiefs last week. They get their bye this week to prep for a late run in the weak AFC South where 2nd place is possible.
#28 – 3-6 – Broncos
The most disappointing team this season failed again last week in a must win situation. Their inept offense is the lowest scoring unit in the league which must improve here or else face major changes this offseason.
#29 – 3-6 Lions
The pesky Lions edged the Bears last week with several big plays deciding the outcome. They travel to MetLife to face the Giants in a competitive matchup where they hope to again surprise.
#30 – 3-7 Panthers
Panthers are coming off a nice win over the Falcons. Travel to Baltimore looking to be competitive vs the emerging Ravens.
#31 – 2-7 Raiders
Da Raiders know how to loss and failed vs the Colts last week. Travel to Denver in a matchup of two of the most disappointing clubs in the league.
#32 – 1-7-1 Texans
Texans have the poorest record in the league despite some competitive performances. They need a huge influx of talent and the #1 overall pick would give them the leverage to add a few new players.
Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with NFL and college coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc for the past 30 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He was a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for CBS and ESPN on a year-round basis related to NFL and College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites
