Draft Insiders’ NFL Power Poll – 2024
Frank Coyle / Head scout
www.draftinsiders.com
Chiefs & Eagles Top Conferences
Teams of the Week
Bills Win Shootout over Lions 48-42
Bucs Blast Chargers – 40-17
Eagles Edge Steelers – 27-13
Players of the Week
Offense – QB Baker Mayfield – Bucs
Defense – LB Nik Bonitto – Broncos
Rookies of Week
Offense – QB Jayden Daniels – Commanders
Defense – Edge Jared Verse – Rams
Games of Week 16
Thursday
Denver Broncos (9-5) @ LA Chargers (8-6) – 8:15 pm
Saturday
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4) @ Baltimore Ravens (9-5) – 4:30 pm
Sunday
Philadelphia Eagles (12-2) @ Washington Commanders (9-5) – 1 pm
Minnesota Vikings (12-2) @ Seattle Seahawks (8-6) – 4:05 pm
Draft Insiders’ – NFL Power Poll – Week 16
Frank Coyle
NFL Team Poll
Ranking /Record /Team
#1 – 13-1 Chiefs
Chiefs beat the Browns though Patrick Mahomes sustained a serous high ankle sprain. He is questionable vs the Texans and may best sit out and heal up for the final weeks.
#2 – 12-2 Lions
Lions lost a shootout with the Bills where their injury riddled defense failed repeatedly. Travel to Chicago in a key matchup to retain playoff position.
#3 – 11-3 Bills
Bills bombed the Lions behind another big Josh Allen performance. Host the Patriots this week and continue to hound the Chiefs for the #1 seeding in the AFC.
#4 – 12-2 Eagles
The Eagles drilled the Steelers and continue to peak. Travel to DC where they can clinch the NFC East with a victory.
#5 – 12-2 Vikings
Vikings continue to press the Lions for the NFC North title. QB Sam Darnold has engineeded this offense the leagues’ leaders on offense. Travel to Seattle for huge NFC matchup.
#6 – 10-4 Steelers
Steelers came up short vs the Eagles and lost TJ Watt with an ankle injury. They travel to Baltimore on Saturday which probable determines the AFC North title. Russell Wilson faces a career moment here.
#7 – 9-5 Ravens
Ravens pounded the pathetic Giants. Look to avenge an earlier loss vs the Steelers this Saturday.
This is a must win to assure the postseason. A loss here and they must fight for an AFC spot.
#8 – 9-5 Commanders
The Commanders have learned to win the close games with rookie Jayden Daniels the key catalyst. Their defense must step up this week vs the Eagles to stay in the Wild card race.
#9 – 9-5 Texans
The hot and cold Texans just edged the Dolphins in latest game, though clinched the AFC South. Travel to KC for a possible playoff preview, though the Chiefs may be without Patrick Mahomes.
#10 – 10-4 Packers
The Packers won a huge game in Seattle but are still only in 3rd place in the league’s best division.
Host the Saints this week and can clinch a Wild card position with a victory.
#11 – 8-6 Bucs
Bucs shocked the Chargers behind a terrific performance of Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans. Travel to Big D looking to maintain their one game lead in the NFC South.
#12 – 8-6 Rams
Rams have tied for the NFC West leadership. They go to MetLife to face the lifeless GMen. QB Matthew Stafford should have fun in this one where the league’s lowest scoring teams in playing out the string.
#13 – 9-5 Broncos
The aggressive Broncos rebounded vs the Colts behind of rookie sensation Bo Nix. They travel to LA to face the Chargers in a matchup which probably determines both teams fate this season.
#14 – 8-6 Seahawks
Seahawks failed vs the Packers with too many mistakes by QB Geno Smith. They host the Vikings in a vital matchup to determine any playoff hopes.
#15 – 8-6 Chargers
Chargers have fallen quickly over recent weeks with both sides of the ball at fault. Host the Broncos on Thursday night in a great AFC West matchup which can determine a wild card position.
#16 – 6-8 Bengals
The Bengals continue to outshoot teams behind the amazing performances of QB Joe Burrow. They have long playoff chances but can continue their run this week at home vs rival, the Browns.
#17 – 7-7 Cardinals
The Cardinals beat the Patriots to stay abreast in the NFC West. They travel to Carolina for a must win matchup.
#18 – 7-7 Falcons
The Falcons snapped a four-game losing streak with win over the Raiders. Surprisingly, they benched QB Kirk Cousins for rookie Michael Penix vs the GMen. This decision probably dictates their future seasons.
19 – 6-8 Dolphins
Dolphins lost to a key game to the Texans last week. Host the 49ers this week with only a long shot for the postseason.
#20 – 6-8 Colts
The Colts lost another close game this time vs the Broncos. Their host the struggling Titans with their lack of firepower a pressing concern.
#21 – 6-8 49ers
The 49ers lost a tight game vs the Rams. They are still mathematically legible, though need a miracle to run the table beginning with the Dolphins this Sunday.
22 – 6-8 Cowboys
The Cowboys won another meaningless game last week vs the Panthers. Host the desperate Dolphins holding on to their slim chances.
#23 – 4-10 Jets
Jets had their strongest performance of the season with a comeback victory over the Jaguars.
They host the hot Rams in a key game where they can become the spoiler.
#24 – 5-9 Saints
Saints lost a close contest vs the Commanders in a season of tough defeats. Travel to Titletown to face the hot Packers. New HC Darren Rizzi has this club playing hard with an eye on next season.
#25 – 4-10 Bears
The Bears hung tough vs the Vikings only to come up short again. Rookie QB Caleb Williams is paid his dues though has progressed through a trying first season.
#26 – 3-11 Jaguars
Jaguars were edged by the Jets last week. Go to Las Vegas hoping to avoid the AFC South basement after recent playoff appearances.
#27 – 3-11 Browns
Browns lost to the Chiefs last week. They have won only once since October and finally benched turnover Jameis Winston. Travel to Cincinnati and face the hot Joe Burrow in a state rivalry.
#28 – 3-11 Patriots
The young lost their 4th straight to the Cardinals last week. They continue to struggle especially offensively. They travel to Buffalo with a new OC hoping to build rookie QB Drake Maye’s resume through the completion of the season.
#29 – 3-11 Titans
The Titans got crushed by the Bengals in another lackluster performance. Travel to Indy playing out the string with many questions coming into the offseason.
#30 – 3-11 Panthers
Panthers have lost four close games in a row before facing contenders through the completion of the season. Young QB Bryce Young is gaining valuable experience, though the overall club has shown little improvement over recent years.
#31 – 2-12 Giants
The Giants start their 4th QB in Tim Boyle this week. Any questions? Travel to Atlanta to face the desperate Falcons with rookie QB Michael Penix, starting his first game.
#32 – 2-12 Raiders
The Raiders have not won since September, losing their 10th straight game vs the Falcons on Monday night. Host the disappointing Jaguars this week. Expect massive changes here.
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, ESPN, Fox Sports and Sporting News 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, USA Today, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites.
