Draft Insiders’ NFL Power Poll

Draft Insiders’ – NFL Power Poll – Week 5

Team of the Week 
Bills Pounds Dolphins 48-20 in key AFC East Matchup

Players of the Week
  NFC
   Offense – QB Dak Prescott – Cowboys
   Defense – DT Aaron Donald – Rams
 
 AFC
   Offense – QB Josh Allen – Bills
   Defense – LB Khalil Mack – Chargers
  
Rookies of the Week
  Offense – WR Puka Nacua – Rams  
  Defense – CB Devon Witherspoon – Seahawks
 
Games of Week 5
Sunday – Oct 8, 2023
Jacksonville @ Buffalo – 9:30 am – London, England
Dallas @ San Fran – 8:15 pm – NBC
 
First Week for bye teams – Browns, Chargers, Seahawks & Bucs
 
NFL Team Power Poll
Draft Insiders’ Staff – Frank Coyle/Publisher
 
Ranking /Record /Team

#1 – 49ers – 4-0
The 49ers smashed the Cardinals behind the explosive Christian McCaffrey and cagey QB Brock Purdy. Host the Cowboys Sunday night in the game of the week.

#2 – Chiefs – 3-1
Chiefs struggled vs the Jets, though they know how to win by memory. Mahomes is the playmaker that directs this attack featuring TE Jason Kelce. They are walking through an early soft schedule with Vikings up next.

#3 – Eagles – 4-0
The Eagles struggled through victory over the Commanders. Their defense has been inconsistent. Travel to LA to face the Rams in a key NFC matchup.

#4 – Bills – 3-1
Bills are hitting stride behind the hot hand QB Josh Allen who carved up the Dolphins overrated defense. Travel to London to face the tough Jaguars in a critical AFC matchup.

#5 – Cowboys – 3-1
The Cowboys are peaking after blowout of the Patriots. Face the acid test Sunday night vs the 49ers. Dak has to prove he can beat a major contender in big spot to merit top ten QB ranking.

#6 – Dolphins – 3-1
Dolphins were shocked by the Bills in key early AFC East matchup. QB Tua needs better protection to maintain his high level of play. Host the struggling Giants this week to get back on beam.

#7 – Lions – 3-1
The Lions are rested after drilling the Packers in key NFC North matchup. Host the winless Panthers looking to build a cushion in the mediocre division.

#8 – Ravens – 3-1
The Ravens crushed the Browns in an important AFC North contest. Travel to Pittsburgh in back to back AFC North matchups which have always proven critical in the AFC playoff picture.

#9 – Seahawks – 3-1
Seahawks drilled the inept Giants on Monday night. They get an early bye week which helps QB Geno Smith heal from his high ankle sprain. Face a tough schedule the rest of the way which will challenge them to gain a playoff spot.

#10 – Jaguars – 2-2
Jaguars win their first London trip over the Falcons. Stay in London to prepare for the Bills in a major AFC matchup with divisional leadership in the balance.

#11 – Bucs – 3-1
Bucs beat the Sains in New Orleans with a strong defensive effort. Get their bye week now to prepare for a favorable schedule through the remainder of the schedule.

#12 – Chargers -2-2
The Chargers edged the Raiders in another competitive AFC West battle.  Take their bye week to prepare for back to back games vs the Cowboys and Chiefs.

#13 – Browns – 2-2
Browns were bashed by the Ravens last week. QB Deshaun Watson sat out with rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson throwing 3 picks. They get their bye at a good time for Watson to recovery.

#14 – Packers – 2-2
The Packers lost to rival the Lions in an early key NFC North matchup. They face the Raiders on Monday night with both clubs at the cross roads for contending this season.

#15 – Saints – 2-2
The Saints failed to score a TD in their loss to the Bucs last week. They put the game on the defense with equal subpar production from both passing and ground game. Travel to New England to face the struggling Patriots.

#16 – Steelers – 2-2
Steelers were trashed by the emerging Texans with QB Kenny Pickett injured in the process. They host the hated Ravens in a vital early game that can dictate their direction.

#17 – Rams – 2-2
Rams held on vs the Colts and won in OT. Host the Eagles in a battle of recent SB champions. Major test QB Stafford faces directing this offense vs the tough Philly defense.

#18 – Falcons – 2-2
Falcons were inept again last week vs the Jaguars. Young starting QB Desmond Ridder is on a short leach with Taylor Heiniche waiting in the wings for the starting call with the hot Texans coming to town.

#19 – Commanders – 2-2
The Commanders fought the Eagles tough but came up short. Host the winless Bears on Thursday night with a soft part in the upcoming schedule.

#20 – Titans – 2-2
The Titans jumped the struggling Bengals last week behind an excellent defensive plan by HC Mike Vrabel. Travel to Indy in a pivotal AFC South matchup where they need to step up and make a statement in a wide open division race.

#21 – Bengals – 1-3
There’s trouble right here in River city. And it starts with Joe Barrow’s health and a weak supporting cast. This club travels to Arizona for a must win game to stay competitive in the tough deep AFC conference.

#22 – Patriots – 1-3
The Pats lost to the Bucs with a struggling attack the main culprit. Host the Saints this week with both offenses failing in recent games.

#23 – Texans – 2-2
The young Texans blasted the Steelers behind rookie QB CJ Stroud. HC DeMeco Ryans has this club playing aggressively on both sides of the ball. Travel to Atlanta to face their struggling offense.

#24 – Jets – 1-3
Jets fought the Chefs to the wire with a rejuvenated Zach Wilson, though came up short with late mistakes. They travel to Denver with the much anticipated battle with the Sean Payton Broncos with both clubs in a must win situation to salvage the season.

#25 – Colts – 2-2
Colts lost to the Rams in OT. They host the Titans where their young offense will be tested to the fullest. They hope to maintain AFC South leadership with a home victory.

#26 – Raiders – 1-3
Raiders failed to close again this time vs the Chargers last week. Host the Packers Monday night and need a victory to stay pace in the deep AFC where 10 wins may fall short of the playoffs.

#27 – Giants – 1-3
The Giants are simply terrible. Evan Neal is the worst – put-up or shut-up. Travel to Miami for their next debacle.

#28 – Vikings – 1-3
Vikings got their first win vs the Panthers last week. Host the Chiefs this Sunday where their defense will be tested to the fullest to stay in the NFC North hunt.

#29 – Cardinals – 1-3
Cardinals were over their head vs the 49ers last week. Young QB Joshua Dobbs is gaining valuable experience in a rebuilding season that will determine postseason personnel moves.

#30 – Broncos – 1-3
Broncos edged the Bears for their first win. Host the Jets with the winner hoping to salvage their season.

#31 – Panthers – 0-4
Panthers lost tough game vs the Vikings. Top pick QB Bryce Young returned to the field and had a solid performance, though the lack of a ground game hurt the attack. Travel to Detroit to face the tough Lions this week.

#32 – Bears – 0-4
The Bears lost to the Broncos in a close contest. Young QB Justin Fields had his best passing game of his career, but the Bears lost their 14th consecutive game. Travel to the Capital to face the Commanders in another difficult test.

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