Draft Insiders’ – NFL Power Poll – Week 6
Teams of the Week
49ers Pounds Cowboys 42-10 in key NFC Matchup
Jaguars Edge Bills 25-20 in London
Players of the Week
NFC
Offense – QB Brock Purdy – 49ers
Defense – LB Fred Warner – 49ers
AFC
Offense – QB Trevor Lawrence – Jaguars
Defense – DE Maxx Crosby – Raiders
Rookies of the Week
Offense – RB De’Von Achane – Dolphins
Defense – DT Jalen Carter – Eagles
Games of Week 6
Sunday
Seattle @ Cincinnati – 1:00 pm
Detroit @ Tampa – 4:25 pm
Bye teams – Steelers & Packers
NFL Team Power Poll
Draft Insiders’ Staff – Frank Coyle/Publisher
Ranking / Team /Record
#1 – 49ers – 5-0
The 49ers are hitting on all cylinders and crushed the Cowboys on Sunday night. Explosive Christian McCaffrey and mature QB Brock Purdy have this attack rolling. Travel to Cleveland in a tough matchup.
#2 – Chiefs – 4-1
Chiefs handled the Vikings. Mahomes can pull the strings directing this attack. Host the desperate Broncos on Thursday night.
#3 – Eagles – 5-0
The Eagles edged the Rams last week. Their defense has benefited from the impact of rookie DT Jalen Carter. Travel to MetLife to face the Jets in a key matchup.
#4 – Dolphins – 4-1
Dolphins blitzed the GMen behind their explosive offense and aggressive defense. Host the winless Panthers this week, featuring two Bama passers.
#5 – Lions – 4-1
The Lions are focused weekly and taking care of business with a win over the Panthers. Travel to Tampa to face the resurgent Bucs in a key NFC matchup.
#6 – Bills – 3-2
Bills lost an important AFC matchup vs the Jaguars. QB Josh Allen made a few key turnovers while the defense came up short in big spots. Host the GMen on Sunday night.
#7 – Cowboys – 3-2
The Cowboys were bombed by the 49ers on Sunday night behind a poor performance by Dak Prescott. Travel to LA to face the Chargers this Monday night in an important interconference matchup.
#8 – Ravens – 3-2
The Ravens came up short vs arch rival, the Steelers in an important AFC North contest. Travel to London to face the mediocre Titans. Ravens need to stay abreast in the tough AFC North playoff picture.
#9 – Seahawks – 3-1
Seahawks are rested coming off their bye week. They travel to Cincinnati to face the Bengals who are looking to get to the .500 mark. Seahawks QB Geno Smith got an extra week to heal from his high ankle sprain.
#10 – Jaguars – 3-2
Jaguars won back to back games in London with a clutch victory over the Bills. QB Trevor Lawrence continues to emerge in year three into the elite QB class. Host the Colts in a matchup that will determine AFC South leadership.
#11 – Bucs – 3-1
Bucs are coming off their bye week and host the tough Lions in an important NFC conference matchup. This can have huge postseason ramifications over time with both clubs stepping up to compete for their division leadership.
#12 – Chargers -2-2
The hot and cold Chargers are well rested coming off their bye week. They host the Cowboys this Monday night before facing divisional rival the Chiefs the following week.
#13 – Browns – 2-2
Browns licked their wounds on their bye week after being bashed by the Ravens. QB Deshaun Watson has had two weeks to heal and prepare for the 49ers to come to town. Watson needs to become a leader now with the deep AFC showing many playoff clubs in the postseason race.
#14 – Saints – 3-2
The Saints shutout the Patriots to stay abreast in the NFC South. They had their best game of the season and need to follow that with another balanced performance at Houston.
#15 – Steelers – 3-2
Steelers came up big vs the Ravens with QB Kenny Pickett and their defense making clutch plays. They get their bye week to prepare for a favorable midseason schedule where they can gain position for a playoff run.
#16- Falcons – 3-2
Falcons came up big vs the Texans behind a strong performance by young QB Desmond Ridder. He answered the bell after a few shaky performances. Host the Commandeers hoping to show they are legitimate contender.
#17 – Colts – 3-2
Colts beat the Titans in an important divisional matchup. They face the Jaguars with the divisional leadership in the balance. Runner Jonathan Taylor hopes to return to the field.
#18 – Rams – 2-3
Rams fought the Eagles tough, but came up short. Host the Cardinals looking to reach the .500 mark.
#19 – Bengals – 2-3
The Bengals had a breakout offensive explosion behind Joe Barrow and wideout Ja’Marr Chase. Host the Seahawks this week in a vital inter conference matchup where the Bengals need to get to .500 prior to their bye week.
#20 – Raiders – 2-3
Raiders beat the Packers behind a strong defensive effort, relying on a dominant performance by DE Maxx Crosby. Host the Patriots this week and need to get to the .500 mark to start believing in themselves.
#21 – Packers – 2-3
The inconsistent Packers lost in tough matchup vs the Raiders. They get their bye week to regroup for a second half vs mediocre set of clubs. Young QB Jordan Love needs to refine his passing and take the next step in leadership.
#22 – Commanders – 2-3
The Commanders fell to the Bears on Thursday night in their worst effort of the season. They are at the turning point of first half with a key matchup in Atlanta. Young QB Sam Howell needs to step up in an important NFC contest.
#23 – Titans – 2-3
The Titans struggled vs the Colts in a key matchup. Their offense continues to struggle and faces the
tough Ravens defense in London. Time to step up if they want to maintain postseason dreams.
#24 – Texans – 2-3
The young Texans fell short in Atlanta with an inconsistent effort. Rookie QB CJ Stroud had an ordinary performance. Texans host the Saints in a pivotal game for both clubs.
#25 – Patriots – 1-4
The Pats were shutout by the Saints with another weak performance with QB Mac Jones struggling throwing the ball and poor production from the running game. Travel to Vegas to face a tough Raiders defense which is playing very well.
#26 – Jets – 2-3
Jets beat the Broncos behind a rejuvenated offense directed by OC Nate Hackett and young QB Zach Wilson. They face a major home test vs the Eagles with their shaky postseason hopes in the balance.
#27 – Giants – 1-4
The Giants continue to struggle with little protection for banged up QB Daniel Jones. Their defense gives up too many points and yardage. Travel to Buffalo with most key injured players most likely out another week.
#28 – Vikings – 1-4
Vikings came up short vs the Chiefs last week. Travel to Chi-town in a battle with the Bears of cellar dwellers. QB Kirk Cousins could be on the trading block if the Vikes continue to fall in the standings.
#29 – Bears – 1-4
The Bears got into the win column with a strong effort vs the Commanders. Host the Vikings looking to put a winning streak together for the first time in years. QB Justin Fields is starting to put it together with further confidence in each performance.
#30 – Cardinals – 1-4
Cardinals were blasted by the Bengals last week. Young QB Joshua Dobbs is gaining valuable experience vs contenders. Face the Rams in LA that may determine personnel moves soon.
#31 – Broncos – 1-4
Broncos were handled by the Jets in the Coaches bowl. Broncos’ defense has given up the most points in the league and QB Russell Wilson is past his prime. Face the Chiefs in KC as the meat grinder continues.
#32 – Panthers – 0-5
Panthers were bombed by the Lions. Young club is going through the growing pains especially an inexperienced offense. Travel to Miami to face the explosive Dolphin track team.
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 major 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
