Draft Insiders’ – NFL Power Poll – Week 9
Frank Coyle/ Head scout
Teams of the Week
Bengals Drill 49ers
Lions Blast Raiders
Players of the Week
NFC
Offense – QB Dak Prescott – Cowboys
Defense – Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux – Giants
AFC
Offense – QB Joe Burrow – Bengals
Defense – Edge Josh Allen – Jaguars
Rookies of the Week
Offense – QB Will Levis – Titans
Defense – CB Mekhi Blackmon – Vikings
Games of Week 9
Sunday
Miami vs Kansas City – Frankfurt, Germany – 9:30 am
Seattle @ Baltimore – 1:00 pm
Dallas @ Philadelphia – 4:30 pm
Sunday night
Buffalo @ Cincinnati – 8:20 pm
Bye teams – Denver, Detroit, Jacksonville & San Francisco
NFL Team Power Poll
Draft Insiders’ Staff – Frank Coyle/Publisher
Ranking / Team / Record
#1 – Eagles – 7-1
The Eagles hung on vs the Commanders. QB Jalen Hurts had a strong performance, passing for 4 TDs despite some knee issues. Host the Cowboys Sunday in a rivalry that defines East leadership.
#2 – Chiefs – 6-2
Chiefs were handled by the Broncos with QB Patrick Mahomes struggling through health issues. Face the Dolphins in Germany in a major AFC matchup among strong SB contenders.
#3 – Dolphins – 6-2
Dolphins beat the Patriots behind their strong passing attack. Travel to Germany to face the Chiefs in a matchup that shows AFC title
#4 – Ravens – 6-2
The Ravens beat the Cardinals, playing up and down again to the competition. Host the Seahawks in a playoff atmosphere for both clubs.
#5 – Jaguars – 6-2
Jaguars won their 5th straight game to solidify first place in the AFC South. QB Trevor Lawrence has directed this club well. Regroup on bye week before stretch run to repeat for an AFC South title.
#6 – Seahawks – 5-2
Seahawks won a big game in Cleveland. Travel to Baltimore to face the tough Ravens with first place in the balance for both divisions.
#7 – 49ers – 5-3
The 49ers got drilled by the Bengals for their 3rd consecutive loss. Get their bye week to regroup with an emphasis on their struggling defense with new vet edge defender Chase Young.
#8 – Lions – 6-2
The Lions rebound vs the Raiders on Monday night. Get their bye week to prepare for a second half run for the NFC North title. QB Jared Goff has been a leader and highly productive.
#9 – Bills – 5-3
Bills edged the Bucs on Thursday night and is well rested to travel to Cinny for a crucial contest. QB Josh Allen is on the stage vs QB Joe Burrow in a classic matchup.
#10 – Cowboys – 5-2
The Cowboys crushed the Rams last week. Travel to Philly for major battle with Eagles for East leadership. QB Dak Prescott is coming off his best game of the season.
#11 – Bengals – 4-3
The Bengals attacked the 49ers last week, relying on a strong performance by QB Joe Burrow and their defense. Host the Bills on Sunday night in a major AFC battle on annual playoff clubs.
#12 – Browns – 4-3
Browns failed vs the Seahawks with a poor performance. Host the Cardinals and must rebound to stay in the North race. QB Deshaun Watson is still week to week.
#13 – Jets – 4-3
Jets won the MetLife debacle vs the GMen. They host the Chargers on Monday night with the winner staying alive for the postseason.
#14 – Steelers – 4-3
Steelers lost to the Jaguars in a physical battle. QB Kenny Pickett got beat up though will start vs the Titans on Thursday night. This is a must win situation to stay abreast in the deep AFC North.
#15 – Chargers – 3-4
The Chargers blitzed the Bears last week. Face the Jets at MetLife on Monday night which will have huge impact on both clubs’ playoff aspirations.
#16 – Saints – 4-4
The Saints got back on the win column vs the Colts. Host the Bears in a vital game to stay in the race for the NFC South leadership.
#17 – Falcons – 4-4
Falcons lost a close game vs the Titans. Host the Vikings in an important NFC game with the battered secondary looking to recover vs a new Minnesota QB.
#18 – Bucs – 3-4
Bucs are on a three-game losing streak. Travel to Houston to face the young Texans. Bucs offense needs has struggled and must step up here.
#19 – Rams – 3-5
Rams were bombed by the Cowboys with their secondary failing in big spots. Travel to Green Bay this week with the loser making plans for 2024.
#20 – Texans – 3-4
The Texans lost to the winless Panthers last week. Host the Bucs in a gut check matchup expected to be a defensive battle. QB CJ Stroud needs to step up here.
#21 – Vikings – 4-4
Vikings jumped the Packers last week, though lost QB Kirk Cousins for the season. Travel to Atlanta for an important NFC contest to separate contenders from pretenders.
#22 – Titans – 3-4
The Titans got a huge boost lift from rookie QB Will Levis who threw for 4 TDs. They face the Steelers
Thursday night in Pittsburgh looking to get to the .500 mark.
#23 – Giants – 2-6
The Giants lost an agonizing game vs the Jets. Starting QB Daniel Jones returns and hopes to give this inept attack a boost. Travel to Las Vegas to face the collapsing Raiders.
#24 – Commanders – 3-5
The Commanders fell to the Eagles in a tough matchup. They moved their top edge defenders Young and Sweat for 2nd day draft picks this April. Travel to New England hoping to turn this season around.
#25 – Raiders – 3-5
Raiders cleaned house after getting bashed by the Lions Monday night. Both HC McDaniels and GM Zucker were fired. This club continues to fall mainly on five poor draft classes.
#26- Colts – 3-5
Colts came up short vs the Saints. Travel to Carolina this week in a crucial matchup to stay alive in the mediocre AFC South.
#27 – Patriots – 2-6
The Pats were outclassed by the Dolphins. Face the struggling Commanders this week in a must win situation to have even a remote chance to get into the playoff race.
#28 – Broncos – 3-5
Broncos beat the Chiefs for the first time in years. They get their bye week to determine starters going forward with a big turnover expected.
#29 – Packers – 2-5
The Packers were toasted by the Vikes last week. Young QB Jordan Love is struggling, though needs to play for management to make a long term decision. Host the Rams this week.
#30 – Bears – 2-6
The Bears were wacked by the Chargers last week. Rookie QB Tyson Bagent continues to start for the injured Fields. This club does not have a plan despite being active in the trade market.
#31 – Cardinals – 1-7
Cardinals lost a hard-fought game with the Ravens last week. Travel to Cleveland with Kyler Murray ready to start soon after the trade of Josh Dobbs this week.
#32 – Panthers – 1-6
Panthers get their first win over the Texans. Host the Colts looking to build confidence for this young club.
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
