Draft Insiders’ – NFL Power Poll – Week 13
Eagles Rally to Edge Packer
Bengals Beat Titans
49ers Shutout Saints
Team of the Week
Bengals Edge Titans in key AFC Matchup
Players of the Week
NFC
Offense – QB Jalen Hurts – Eagles
Defense – LB Micah Parson – Cowboys
AFC
Offense – QB Trevor Lawrence – Jaguars
Defense – DT Ed Oliver – Bills
Rookies of the Week
Offense – WR Garrett Wilson – Jets
Defense – LB James Houston – Lions
Games of Week 13
Thursday – Bills at Patriots – 8:15 pm – NBC
Sunday – Bengals at Titans – 1:00 pm – CBS
Sunday – Commanders at Giants – 1:00 pm – Fox
NFL Team Power Poll
Draft Insiders’ Staff
Ranking /Record /Team
#1 – 9-2 Chiefs
Chiefs dismantled the Rams behind another strong performance from Patrick Mahomes. Their potent offense is the best in the game and added veteran back Melvin Gordon this week with an eye on the late and postseason games.
#2 – 10-1 Eagles
The Eagles came back and beat the Packers to maintain the best record in the league. QB Jalen Hurts is a dangerous dual threat who is playing with great confidence which can take this club far into the playoffs with a continued strong defensive effort.
#3 – 8-3 Bills
Bills held on to beat the Lions on Thanksgiving. Face the Patriots this Thursday night in a vital matchup with the entire division separated by only two games. Josh Allen faces a key test vs this Belichick savvy defense.
#4 – 9-2 Vikings
Vikings edged the Patriots on Thanksgiving to maintain a four game + lead in the NFC North. Host the tough Jets this week with both clubs looking to strengthen this playoff position.
#5 – 8-3 Dolphins
Dolphins took care of business vs the Texans. Travel to San Fran where their high powered offense will get fully tested by the 49ers tough defense. The 49ers are peaking and one of the dangerous clubs in any postseason scenario.
#6 – 7-4 49ers
The 49ers came up big again, this time shutting out the Saints. They look to increase their NFC West lead behind veteran Jimmy Garoppolo. Host the Dolphins this week in a major interconference battle between strong playoff contenders.
#7 – 8-3 – Cowboys
The Cowboys came up big vs the Giants and moved into 2nd place in the NFC East. Host the Colts and need to finish here to press the Eagles prior to their Christmas Eve matchup.
#8 – 7-4 Bengals
The Bengals come off a big win over the Titans behind QB Joe Burrow. Host the Chiefs in an AFC Championship game rematch this week. Burrow has been at this best vs the Chiefs and Mahomes and will probably need to be again for a Bengal win.
#9 – 7-4 Ravens
The Ravens came up short late again and lost to the Jaguars. Host the disorganized Broncos this week and need the win to keep pace with the Bengals in the North. Club is going to have to show more composure in crunch time situations to advance this offseason.
#10 – 7-4 Titans
The Titans lost a tough game vs the Bengals, though maintains a three game lead in the AFC South.
Travel to Philly for a huge interconference matchup. Back Derrick Henry will have to be at his best while
the Titans defense needs to bring their A game to contain Eagles’ Jalen Hurts.
#11 – 7-4 Giants
The Giants lost a tough game vs the Cowboys with a banged-up roster. They have lost 3 of the last 4 games and must step up this week vs the hot Commanders in a key NFC East matchup. Runner Saquon Barkley and QB Danny Jones will have to be on their game to take command vs a tough defense.
#12 – 6-5 Chargers
The inconsistent Chargers hung on vs the Cardinals. They play up and down to the competition and are still in the process of learning to win. Their offense struggles with injuries along the line and receiving corps limiting QB Justin Herbert. They travel to Las Vegas this week in a must win situation to stay in the AFC playoff picture.
#13 – 6-5 Seahawks
Seahawks fell to the Raiders for a crushing defeat. They travel to LA to face the Rams in a vital game for them to stay in the NFC playoff race. Their defense has failed in too many big spots this season.
#14 – 6-5 Patriots
The Pats come off a tough Thanksgiving lost to the Vikings. They host the Bills this Thursday in a key AFC East matchup where the division is only separated by two games. Belichick is a master in these type of games in December.
#15 – 7-4 Jets
Jets responded to the QB change to Mike White and beat the Bears. They travel to Minnesota and hope to build their momentum within one game of the AFC leadership. Their defense faces a huge test vs the Vikings potent passing game.
#16 – 7-5 Commanders
The Commanders won for the 6th time in seven games that has them in the thick of the NFC playoff race. They travel to MetLife to face the Giants who they face twice over the next three weeks around their bye week. QB Taylor Heinicke and tough defense makes this club dangerous.
#17 – 5-6 – Bucs
Bucs lost a heartbreaker in OT to the Browns putting them under the .500 mark again. They host rival, the Saints on Monday night which probably eliminates one of the NFC South contenders. Bucs play a soft schedule through December.
#18 – 5-7 Falcons
Another hot and cold NFC South club. The Falcons struggled vs the Commanders with little offensive production. They host the Steelers in a must win situation and their unreliable defense needs to step up or the Falcons start planning for the 2023 season.
#19 – 4-8 Packers
The Packers caved in the crunch time to lose to the Eagles. They hope Aaron Rodgers is healthy to face the Bears in Chicago. Packers could be turning over the reigns to Jordan Love with another loss.
#20 – 3-8 Rams
Rams were manhandled by the Chiefs which puts their playoff dreams of repeating to slim or none. They host the Seahawks in an NFC West battle that becomes a must win situation for any playoff hopes.
#21 – 4-7 Browns
Browns got it done vs the Bucs which kept their slim playoff hopes alive. They get newly acquired QB Deshaun Watson back this week off his 11-game suspension. They hope he becomes the stimulus for a late run at the postseason.
#22 – 4-8 Saints
The Saints fell to the 49ers last week which puts them in a must win situation weekly. Travel to Tampa to face rival the Bucs who they have dominated in recent years. QB Andy Dalton gets a huge spot where he must step up to have a future here.
#23 – 4-8 Cardinals
The lost to the Chargers in another inconsistent performance which has become their trademark this season. They get a late bye this week to regroup and see if starting QB Kyler Murray is healthy and ready to take this club the final five games and establish some continuity.
#24 – 4-7 Jaguars
Jaguars beat the Ravens for their most impressive victory of the current regime. QB Trevor Lawrence had a strong game and can develop into a top starter, though a stronger supporting cast is vital to take the next steps. Travel to Detroit to face another young club hoping to build a winning foundation.
#25 – 4-7 Lions
The hardnosed Lions lost a Thanksgiving heartbreaker to the Bills. They are well rested to host the Jaguars in a battle of two emerging young clubs who can surprise going forward.
#26 – 4-7 Steelers
Steelers are coming off a win over the Colts. Travel to Atlanta hoping their young offense behind rookie top pick QB Kenny Pickett continues to gain valuable experience for the future.
#27 – 4-6-1 Colts
Colts fell to the Steelers to give new HC Jeff Saturday his first defeat. Players are auditioning for next season and travel to Big D to see if they can continue to build momentum for the future.
#28 – 4-7 Raiders
Raiders shocked the Seahawks in OT and hope to build off that victory. Host the Chargers in a must win situation for any mathematical changes for a Wild card berth.
#29 – 4-8 Panthers
Panthers beat the inept Broncos last week. Get a late bye week this weekend to figure out what happened after early a hopes. Look to Sam Darnold the final month for answers to their revolving QB situation.
#30 – 3-9 Bears
The Bears were wacked by the Jets. QB Justin Fields continues to go through his growing pains with a marginal supporting cast. They host the Packers in a game for pride.
#31 – 3-8 – Broncos
Broncos and Russell Wilson were terrible again in their lost to the lowly Panthers. Travel to Baltimore for a difficult matchup. Expect massive changes here, though limited salary cap space and draft choices makes this one of the worst situations in the league.
#32 – 1-9-1 Texans
Texans were outclassed by the Dolphins. Host the Browns and former star QB Deshaun Watson in his debut after his trade and long suspension. Interesting story line this weekend.
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
