Draft Insiders’ – NFL Power Poll – Week 2
Steelers Beat Bengals in OT
Bears Shock 49ers – 19-10
Bills’ Josh Allen Crushes Rams
Team of the Week
Giants – beat Titans on road 21-20
Players of the Week
NFC
Offense – RB Saquan Barkley – Giants (Comeback POY – 9/8 Web page)
Defense – LB Devin White – Bucs
AFC
Offense – QB Patrick Mahomes – Chiefs
Defense – LB Von Miller – Bills / LB Kahlil Mack – Chargers
Rookies of the Week
Offense – WR Jahan Dotson – Commanders (one of our Impact Rookies 9/9 Web page)
Defense – LB Travon Walker – Jaguars / DE Dominique Robinson – Bears
Key Games of Week 2
Thursday – Chargers at Chiefs
Sunday – Bengals @ Cowboys
Monday – Titans @ Bills
NFL Team Power Poll
Draft Insiders’ Staff
Ranking /Record /Team
#1 – 1-0 Chiefs
Chiefs bomb the Cardinals behind a 5-star performance by Patrick Mahomes. Host the potent Chargers in a terrific Thursday night matchup of gun slinging QBs.
#2 – 1-0 Bills
Bills rocked the Rams on opening night with their explosive offense behind Josh Allen. They handled the Rams defense well and made a statement as one of the teams to beat in the AFC.
#3 – 1-0 – Bucs
Bucs outlasted the lackluster Cowboys in the opening game. Travel to New Orleans for a key NFC South matchup. They lost both games to the Saints last season.
#4- 1-0 Chargers
The Chargers are loaded and won home opener vs Raiders. They face a key early season West game in Kansas City this Thursday night. They have the core talent to press for a division title with gifted QB Justin Herbert directing the show.
#5 – 0-1 Rams
Rams came out flat vs the Bills. Host the Falcons this week. The NFC West saw the big three, Rams, 49ers and Cardinals all lose their opener.
#6 – 1-0 Steelers
Steelers edged the Bengals in a tough North matchup. New vet QB Matthew Trubisky managed the game well which plays into their strong ground game and tough defense.
#7- 1-0 Ravens
The Ravens methodically dismantled the Jets in opener. Prepare to the Dolphins in a key AFC matchup between strong contenders.
#8 – 0-1 Bengals
Bengals special teams failed to convert an extra point which negated nice Joe Burrow comeback. Travel to Big D to face the Boys without Dax Prescott and pressing offensive line issues.
#9 – 1-0 Eagles
The Eagles held on to beat the pesky Lions. Their defense will have to perform better to beat contenders. They host the Vikings this Monday night.
#10 – 1-0 Dolphins
Dolphins drilled the Patriots in home opener. They travel to Baltimore in an AFC acid test of contenders.
#11 – 0-1 Packers
The Packers failed to show up in Minnesota in all areas. Hosting the Bears this Sunday night in an important game for North leadership.
#12 – 1-0 Saints
The Saints edged the Falcons in a wild NFC South matchup. Club played hungry with QB Jameis Winston directing three late TD drives for the win. Host the Bucs this week for South leadership.
#13 – 0-1 49ers
The 49ers were shocked in Chitown where they wanted nothing to do with the weather. They host the Seahawks this week. Young QB Trey Lance faces a key test in his maturation after a weak opener.
#14- 0-1 – Broncos
The Broncos fumbled away a close loss in Russell Wilson’s debut. They have the talent to play with anyone, but are not able to overcome their own mistakes in big spots. Host the Texans in a matchup to get to .500.
#15 – 0-0-1 Colts
New QB Matt Ryan rallied the Colts to tie and send into overtime before ending in a tie. Travel to Jacksonville where they will be tested by the aggressive Jaguars and a developing QB Trevor Lawrence.
#16 – 1-0 Vikings
Vikings jumped the Packers and Aaron Rodgers in the dome for impressive opener. They travel to Philly for an important early season NFC matchup.
#17 – 0-1 Titans
The Titans were handled by the GMen who outrushed the usually potent Tennessee ground game. They travel to Buffalo for a difficult Monday night matchup.
#18 – 0-1 Raiders
The Raiders came up short vs the Chargers in key West contest. They host the Cardinals this Sunday looking to get into the win column.
#19 – 1-0 Giants
The Giants came back and beat the Titans behind an awesome performance by Saquan Barkley. It was the most important early season win in a decade. Host Panthers, Cowboys and Bears the next three weeks.
#20 – 1-0 Seahawks
Seahawks were psyched for the matchup with former QB Russell Wilson. They played smart and their defense performed like their glory days in the win over the Broncos.
#21 – 1-0 Browns
Browns beat the Panthers and former starting QB Baker Mayfield. Host the short-handed Jets this week looking to get a jump in the AFC North.
#22 – 0-1 – Cowboys
The Cowboys were lifeless Sunday night in their loss to the Bucs. QB Dak Prescott broke his hand and will miss at least a month. They host the Bengals this Sunday with both clubs needing a W.
#23 – 0-1 Cardinals
Cardinals were lost trying to defend Patrick Mahomes. This club is highly overrated and plays up and down to the competition. Travel to Las Vegas this week.
#24 – 0-1 Patriots
The Pats were outclassed in Miami and face a key early season game at Pittsburgh this Sunday. Their lack of firepower is evident and this puts enormous pressure on their veteran defense.
#25 – 1-0 Bears
The Bears shocked the 49ers in rain soaked Chitown behind a relentless defense. They face long time rival the Packers in Titletown Sunday night hoping to gain further momentum.
#26 – 1-0 Commanders
The Commanders rode new QB Carson Wentz’s 4 TD passes to edge the Jaguars. Wentz went to rookie WR Jahan Dotson for 2 TDs. Travel to Motown to face pesky Lions who is hunting for their first victory.
#27 – 0-1 Panthers
Panthers failed to beat the Browns wrecking Baker Mayfield’s debut in Carolina. They struggled protecting Baker and also failed to stop the run with any consistency.
#28 – 0-1 Lions
Lions fought the Eagles for 60 minutes but still find a way to lose the game. They struggled stopping both the run and pass. Face the Commanders at home this week looking to get into the win column.
#29 – 0-1 Jaguars
Jaguars young defense struggled containing Carson Wentz while the Jaguars offense was inconsistent overall. They host the Colts this week in a key South matchup.
#30 – 0-1 Falcons
Falcons came up short vs the Saints as their defense disappointed late in the game. Travel to LA to face the Rams who also lost their opener.
#31 – 0-1 Jets
Jets were manhandled by the Ravens with backup QB Joe Flacco filling in for Zach Wilson. Flacco probably starts at the Browns. A very difficult first half schedule makes every early game critical who this young club who must learn to win.
#32 – 0-0-1 Texans
Texans blew a 17-point fourth quarter lead and tied the Colts who missed a last-minute FG. This club travels to Denver who is also looking for their first victory.
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 is 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
