Draft Insiders’ – NFL Power Poll – Eagles Head New Rankings
Draft Insiders’ – NFL Power Poll – Week 15
Eagles Head New Rankings
Eagles Blitz Giants
Lions Shock Vikings
Chargers Edge Dolphins
All byes are complete
Team of the Week
Chargers beat Dolphins in key AFC Matchup
Players of the Week
NFC
Offense – QB Jared Goff – Lions
Defense – DE Brandon Graham – Eagles
AFC
Offense – QB Trevor Lawrence – Jaguars
Defense – LB Josh Uche – Patriots
Rookies of the Week
Offense – RR Dameon Pierce – Texans
Defense – CB Marcus Jones – Patriots
Games of Week 15
Thursday – 49ers at Seahawks – 8:15 pm – NBC
Saturday – Dolphins at Bills – 8:15 pm – CBS
Sunday – Giants at Commanders – 8:20 pm – ESPN
NFL Team Power Poll
Draft Insiders’ Staff
Ranking /Record /Team
#1 – 12-1 Eagles
The Eagles bombed the Giants to continue their dominance in the NFC to claim a playoff berth. They are playing for the East title this month and home field advantage for the entire postseason.
#2 – 10-3 Chiefs
Chiefs won a shootout with the Broncos with Patrick Mahomes once again working his magic. Looking to gain home field advantage down the stretch for key later playoff games.
#3 – 10-3 Bills
Bills won a key game vs the Jets to hold a two game lead in the AFC East. Host the Dolphins this Saturday with major playoff implications for both clubs. They might have the best combination of offense and defense in the league and hope to gain home field advantage for the postseason.
#4 – 9-4 49ers
The 49ers won their 6th consecutive game vs the Bucs behind a dominant defensive performance. They travel to Seattle to face their NFC West rival in a matchup that can defend the division title and both playoff holes. Rookie QB Brock Purdy was outstanding in his NFL debut.
#5 – 10-3 Vikings
Vikings were blitzed by the Lions last week with their defense showing major flaws. They host the Colts this week on Saturday where they can win the NFC North title with a victory.
#6 – 10-3 – Cowboys
The Cowboys held on to beat the stubborn Texans. Travel to Jacksonville to face the improving Jaguars and need to win to stay within reach of the hot Eagles prior to their Christmas Eve matchup.
#7 – 9-4 Bengals
The Bengals are peaking late again behind QB Joe Burrow and a host of quality receivers. Hit the road for the next two weeks to face the Bucs and Patriots. AFC North title may come down to their finale at home vs the Ravens.
#8 – 9-4 Ravens
The Ravens edged the Steelers in another slugfest behind backup QB Tyler Huntley. Travel to Cleveland in another physical AFC North matchup with the Browns in a desperate must win situation.
#9 – 8-5 Dolphins
Dolphins lost a tough contest vs the Chargers which leaves their playoff hopes under pressure. Travel to Buffalo in an AFC East battle which can determine the division winner. Dolphins need to step up here to gain a playoff berth and some late season momentum.
#10 – 7-6 Seahawks
Seahawks were looking ahead to the 49ers and lost to the Panthers last week. They must recover quickly to host the 49ers on Thursday night. San Fran is on a six game winning streak with arguably the best defense in the NFL.
#11 – 7-6 Titans
The Titans lost to the Jaguars, but still maintain a two game lead in the weak AFC South. Travel to LA for a huge conference matchup with the Chargers. Titans defense especially the secondary performed poorly and faces the talented Justin Herbert this week in maybe a playoff preview matchup.
#12 – 7-6 Chargers
The Chargers won a critical games vs the Dolphins which has them strong wild card contenders. They host the Titans which is equally important for their playoff hopes. Their offense is clicking behind QB Justin Herbert and capable of carrying this club into the postseason.
#13 – 7-5-1 Giants
The Giants continue to struggle after being blown out by the Eagles. Their 1-4-1 swoon puts them a must win situation in their rematch with the Commanders in the Capital Sunday night. Runner Saquon Barkley has been less than 100% and needs to give this injury riddled offense a spark to help QB Danny Jones.
#14 – 7-6 Patriots
The Pats handled the Cardinals to stay within reach of playoff contention. They travel to Las Vegas where a victory could propel them to a strong position for one of the wild card spots. Belichick continues to put together masterful defensive game plans and faces a major text in QB Carr and WR Adams.
#15 – 7-6 Jets
Jets fell short vs the Bills with QB Mike White banged up in the process. They host the tough Lions this week in a must win situation for both clubs. Their defense will have to be up to the task vs hot QB Jared Goff.
#16 – 7-5-1 Commanders
The Commanders are well rested coming off their late bye week. Face the Giants again this time at home. They are in the thick of the NFC playoff race and must win here to stay in contention for a wild card spot.
#17 – 6-7 Lions
The hardnosed Lions smashed their rival Vikings in a key North matchup. They have won 5 of their last 6 games and have shown a potent passing game and tough defense in the process. Face the Jets at MetLife with both clubs clinging to their playoff hopes in the balance.
#18 – 6-7 – Bucs
Bucs got hammered by the 49ers, though still remain atop of the weak NFC South. They host, the Bengals and QB Joe Burrow in a critical game for both clubs for their divisional title hopes. Bucs play a soft schedule after this through December.
#19 – 5-8 Falcons
Falcons turned the page during their bye week and named rookie QB Desmond Ridder their starter going forward. He faces the tough Saints defense in New Orleans, a major chore in his NFL debut. The Falcons are only 1 game behind the struggling Bucs for NFC South leadership.
#20 – 5-8 Packers
The Packers are coming off their bye week and host the equally disappointing Rams on Monday night. They could make big changes with a loss here and possibly replace star QB Aaron Rodgers for young backup Jordan Love. Packers could make a huge roster turnoff after the season.
#21 – 4-9 Saints
The Saints come off their bye week and host the Falcons and rookie starting QB Desmond Ridder. They are in a must win situation weekly, though still capable of winning the NFC South. QB Andy Dalton needs to step up here and put together a streak vs a soft final month.
#22 – 5-8 Jaguars
Jaguars beat the Titans for another impressive victory over a strong AFC contender. QB Trevor Lawrence has taken a huge step up this season and shined Sunday in key spots. Their defense also has showed marked improvement and no longer an AFC doormat. Host the Cowboys this Sunday looking to surprise another top club.
#23 – 4-9 Rams
Rams beat the Raiders on Thursday night to end their midseason swoon. Their playoff hopes are slim to none. They travel to Green Bay in a battle of two of the biggest disappointments in the league.
#24 – 5-8 Browns
Browns failed vs the Bengals which put their slim playoff in a desperate mode. Vet QB Deshaun Watson continues to struggle in his return to the game after his 11-game suspension. Host the Ravens this week in a matchup that has always been very entertaining.
#25 – 5-8 Steelers
Steelers lost an old fashion slugfest with the Ravens. They lost rookie QB Kenny Pickett to a concussion which forced vet Matthew Trubisky to start. He threw 3 interceptions which turned the game around. Travel to Carolina and playing out the string.
#26 – 4-8-1 Colts
Colts are coming off their bye and play the Vikings on Saturday. New HC Jeff Saturday is trying to get a feel of what players to take forward next season and the final games should be a strong determining audition.
#27 – 5-8 Raiders
Raiders fell to the Rams which broke their recent momentum. Host the Patriots in a must win situation for any mathematical changes for a Wild card berth.
#28 – 4-9 Cardinals
The lost struggling QB Kyler Murray to an ACL injury which ends his season. They lost to the Patriots which virtually limits any chances for the postseason. Travel to Denver in a battle of two of the most disappointing teams entering this season.
#29 – 5-8 Panthers
Panthers shocked the Seahawks last week behind a strong performance from Sam Darnold. Host the Steelers and hope to stay alive in the NFC South where a .500 record probably wins the division.
#30 – 3-10 Bears
The Bears are rested for their matchup with the Eagles. They are on a 6 game losing streak despite nice development from young QB Justin Fields. The remaining schedule is difficult and probably guarantees a top 3 selection in the NFL Draft.
#31 – 3-10 – Broncos
Broncos and Russell Wilson continue to come up short. Wilson directs the lowest scoring offense in the league currently. Host the banged-up Cardinals this week.
#32 – 1-11-1 Texans
Texans play hard but know how to loss close games and came up short vs the Cowboys. Host the Chiefs this week and are close to claiming the #1 overall pick in the NFL Draft 2023.
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 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