Draft Insiders’ – NFL Power Poll – Week 8
Teams of the Week
Ravens Blast Lions
Vikings Shock 49ers
Players of the Week
NFC
Offense – WR A.J. Browns – Eagles
Defense – DT Dexter Lawrence – Giants
AFC
Offense – QB Lamar Jackson – Ravens
Defense – Edge defenders, TJ Watt – Steelers & Myles Garrett – Browns
Rookies of the Week
Offense – QB Tyson Bagent – Bears
Defense – CB Dre Banks – Giants
Games of Week 8
Sunday
Jets @ Giants – 1:00 pm
Cleveland Browns @ Seattle Seahawks – 4:05 pm
Cincinnati Bengals @ San Fran 49ers – 4:30 pm
Monday night
Las Vegas Raiders @ Detroit Lions – 8:15 pm
Bye teams – None
NFL Team Power Poll
Draft Insiders’ Staff – Frank Coyle/Publisher
Ranking /Team / Record
#1 – Chiefs – 6-1
Chiefs manhandled the Chargers again to gain a three game lead in the AFC West. Travel to Denver for another AFC West matchup where they continue to dominate.
#2 – Eagles – 6-1
The Eagles benefit from ‘Homer’ calls to beat the Dolphins. QB Jalen Hurts making continuous turnovers which may turn to a heavy ground game through the rest of the season.
#3 – 49ers – 5-2
The 49ers lost a 2nd game in a row for the first time since Oct 2022. Injury concerns with Deebo Samuel out limits this offense with a few QB Brock Purdy key turnovers difficult to overcome. Host the Bengals
#4 – Ravens – 5-2
The Ravens drilled the Lions in a physical battle. Travel to the desert to face the Cardinals. They have their eye on the trade market over the weekend.
#5 – Dolphins – 5-2
Dolphins lost to the Eagles with a few poor key penalties deciding the outcome. Back to the drawing board with the Patriots coming to town in a key AFC East battle with first place in the balance.
#6 – Jaguars – 5-2
Jaguars won their 4th straight game to solidify first place in the AFC South. QB Trevor Lawrence has joined the elite in just his third season. Travel to Pittsburgh for key AFC battle of contenders.
#7 – Seahawks – 4-2
Seahawks host the Browns in a matchup of two of the most physical clubs in the league. Geno Smith has regained his rhyme coupled with a strong ground game to challenge the tough Browns defense.
#8 – Lions – 5-2
The Lions came out flat vs the Ravens and never recovered. Host the Raiders on Monday night looking to maintain their short NFC North lead.
#9 – Bills – 4-3
Bills fell late to the Patriots as their defense came up short repeatedly. Host the Bucs on Thursday night in an important matchup for both clubs in very competitive divisional races.
#10 – Cowboys – 4-2
The Cowboys are well rested coming off their bye week. Host the Rams on Sunday with the loser facing an uphill challenge the rest of the season.
#11 – Browns – 4-2
Browns edged the Colts which keeps them in strong contention. QB Deshaun Watson is still week to week. Travel to Seattle for a key matchup where the winner gains strong postseason position.
#12 – Bengals – 3-3
The Bengals are coming off their bye week and travel to San Fran to face the struggling 49ers. QB Joe Burrow is the healthiest he has been all season. They look to escape the AFC North basement here.
#13 – Bucs – 3-3
Bucs are coming off back-to-back losses. Travel to Buffalo to face the equally faltering Bills. Bucs offense needs to step up here.
#14 – Jets – 3-3
Jets are well rested for the Giants contest with both clubs facing a must win situation. Their pass rush may be the difference here with limited offensive production.
#15 – Steelers – 4-2
Steelers were physical in their win over the Rams. QB Kenny Pickett does not blink and gives them the leader they want. Host the Jaguars in a major AFC test among strong contenders.
#16 – Falcons – 4-3
Falcons edged NFC South rival the Bucs last week. Playing hot and cold with their offense struggling weekly to establish an identity. Travel to Tennessee looking to maintain their divisional leadership.
#17 – Rams – 3-4
Rams failed in big spots to the Steelers. Travel to Dallas for crucial NFC matchup where a lose is a major hit to their playoff hopes.
#18 – Texans – 3-3
The young Texans come off their bye week and travel to Carolina in a battle of rookie 1st round QBs, CJ Stroud and Bryce Young. This club is hungry and playing loss under new HC DeMeco Ryans.
#19 – Chargers -2-4
The Chargers are the biggest pretenders in the league. Host the resurgent Bears on Sunday night in a must win situation for their postseason aspirations.
#20 – Giants – 2-5
The Giants beat the Commanders behind backup QB Tyrod Taylor. Host the Jets in a gut check for any postseason aspirations. Offensive line faces a major test vs the Jets talented defensive front.
#21 – Commanders – 3-4
The Commanders fell to the GMen in a defensive struggle. Host the Eagles in a desperate situation for turning this season around.
#22 – Raiders – 3-4
Raiders were blasted by a rookie QB last week in a key opportunity to get into the AFC race. Travel to Detroit for a Monday night matchup which could define their season.
#23 – Vikings – 3-4
Vikings jumped the 49ers on Monday night. Look to keep the momentum vs the Packers in Green Bay. QB Kirk Cousins continues to carry this club and stay competitive vs anyone.
#24 – Patriots – 2-5
The Pats won a must win situation vs the Bills. QB Mac Jones had his best performance of the season. Face the tough Miami offense on the road this week and need Jones to continue to continue his hot hand.
#25 – Saints – 3-4
The Saints lost another close game this time to the Jaguars. Travel to Indy with a chance to get to the .500 mark entering the 2nd half of the year.
#26- Colts – 3-4
Colts lost a heartbreaker to the Browns. Host the Saints this week, hoping runner Jonathan Taylor begins to make an impact.
#27 – Titans – 2-4
The Titans comes off their bye week and announced rookie QB Will Levis gets the starting assignment vs
the Falcons. Their inept offense continues to struggle and looks to turn the page with an eye of the future.
#28 – Broncos – 2-5
Broncos edged the Packers last week. Host the Chiefs this week and face the trading deadline with a few more moves expected.
#29 – Packers – 2-4
The Packers lost to Denver last week. Young QB Jordan Love is going through the growing pain of starting in the NFL. Host the Vikings this week.
#30 – Bears – 2-5
The Bears shocked the Raiders last week with rookie QB Tyson Bagent directing their attack. Travel to LA to face the desperate Chargers this week.
#31 – Cardinals – 1-6
Cardinals were drilled by the Seahawks last week. Host the buzzsaw Ravens this week. They could trade several veterans over the next few days to build draft capital for April.
#32 – Panthers – 0-6
Panthers come off their bye week and host the hot Texans. Looking for their first win for new staff and player leaders.
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
