Draft Insiders’ – NFL Power Poll – Week 7
Draft Insiders’ – NFL Power Poll – Week 7
Giants Outlast Ravens
Bills Beat Chiefs
Jets Shock Packers
Team of the Week
Bills come back vs Chiefs
Players of the Week
NFC
Offense – WR Justin Jefferson – Vikings
Defense – S Xavier McKinney – Giants
AFC
Offense – WR Stefon Diggs – Bills
Defense – LB Von Miller – Bills
Rookies of the Week
Offense – QB Bailey Zappe – Patriots
Defense – LB Troy Anderson – Falcons
Games of Week 7
Sunday – Jets at Broncos – CBS
Sunday – Chiefs at 49ers – Fox
Sunday night – Steelers at Dolphins – NBC
NFL Team Power Poll
Draft Insiders’ Staff
Ranking /Record /Team
#1 – 5-1 Bills
Bills outlasted the Chiefs in the AFC title game rematch. Josh Allen had another impressive performance and the Bills D came up big with an interception. Bills get their bye week to prepare to defend their AFC East title over the 2nd half.
#2 – 6-0 Eagles
The Eagles outclassed the Cowboys to remain the league’s only unbeaten club. They have a balanced offense and an aggressive defense that puts them atop the NFC. They get their bye week after their Sunday night victory to prepare for their first East title since 2019.
#3 – 4-2 Chiefs
Chiefs fought the Bills to the wire, but came up short this time. The travel to San Fran to face 49ers in a tough contest vs one of the leagues’ top defenses. Chiefs will be pressured all season in the toughest division.
#4 – 5-1 Vikings
Vikings beat the Dolphins behind another impressive performance by wideout Justin Jefferson. Get their bye week now to load up for 2nd half run. One of the best NFC clubs over the first half.
#5 – 4-2 Chargers
The Chargers outlasted the Broncos behind a strong game from runner Austin Ekeler. Host the Seahawks this Sunday, needing to win to stay apace the Chiefs.
#6 – 3-3 – Bucs
Bucs failed to bold off a late Steelers rally behind vet Mitchell Trubisky. Bucs seem to be falling and will need a good stretch run to run the average NFC South. They travel to Carolina hoping to stay above .500 entering midseason.
#7 – 4-2 – Cowboys
The Cowboys lost for the first time behind QB Cooper Rush vs the Eagles. Dak Prescott has been cleared to play, though probably sits another week. Host the Lions in a game they must have to stay abreast NFC contenders.
#8 – 5-1 Giants
The Giants continues to impress and play smart football behind runner Saquon Barkley and QB Danny Jones. They travel to Jacksonville where the Jaguars have proven to be a tough assignment at home.
#9 – 3-3 49ers
The 49ers were shocked by the Falcons showing little offense to control the game. QB Jimmy Garoppolo had a subpar performance. Their dominant D failed to produce in big spots. Host the Chiefs for NFC West leadership.
#10 – 3-3 Rams
Rams drilled the Panthers to end their two-game losing streak. Their offensive line is still their biggest issue on offense. They get a much needed bye week to regroup and get healthy at key positions.
#11 – 3-3 Ravens
The Ravens blew another 4th quarter lead that puts them at the .500 mark. They host arch rival the Browns this week with each club pressing for a win to stay in playoff contention.
#12 – 3-3 Dolphins
Dolphins came short to the Vikings with further injuries at the QB position. QB Tua Tagovailo is about ready to return this week. Host the Steelers Sunday night looking to stay in the AFC playoff race.
#13 – 3-3 Packers
The Packers getting over a double Big Apple bashing. Their average receiving corps is limited Aaron Rodgers and could limit this club from beating the best NFC playoff clubs. Travel to the Capital this week needing a win to stay in playoff chase.
#14 – 3-2 Titans
The Titans are coming off their bye week and well rested to host South rival, the Colts. Look to get clubs
a steady diet of power back Derrick Henry thru the rest of the season.
#15 – 3-3 Bengals
The Bengals came on late to beat the Saints behind a strong performance from Joe Burrow. Their offense looked the best of the season last week. Host the Falcons this Sunday in a big spot to claim North leadership.
#16 – 3-3 Patriots
The Pats drilled the overrated Browns for their second impressive in a row. Rookie QB Zappe had a strong performance which could lead to a QB controversy. Host the Bears Monday looking to build much needed momentum for the second half run.
#17 – 4-2 Jets
Jets had another strong performance winning in Green Bay behind an aggressive defense. Travel to Denver to face the desperate Broncos this Sunday. Only one game behind the Bills at midseason.
#18 – 3-2-1 Colts
Colts came back vs the Jaguars for the third time behind Matt Ryan. Face their arch South rival the Titans in Nashville this Sunday which will be for division leadership. QB Ryan has this club believing in itself and a win here could propel them through the 2nd half.
#19 – 3-3 Falcons
Falcons shocked the 49ers behind an impressive performance by QB Marcus Mariota. Their defense contained the 49ers and made two timely interceptions. Travel to Cincinnati for a key matchup hoping to string another win to stay in contention.
#20 – 3-3 Seahawks
Seahawks beat the Cardinals behind a strong rushing game by rookie Kenneth Walker. They travel to LA to face the Chargers hoping to prove there are a playoff contender.
#21 – 3-3 Cardinals
Cardinals were unimpressive vs the Seahawks with little offensive firepower the main culprit. QB Kyler Murray was looked lousy and looks to avenge this week at home vs the equally desperate Saints.
#22 – 2-4 Saints
The Saints lost a wild game vs the Bengals. They face a key Thursday matchup in Arizona that may determine the playoff hopes of two franchises.
#23 – 2-4 Jaguars
Jaguars came up short vs the Colts failing to hold a late lead. QB Trevor Lawrence had a solid performance but will be tested fully at home this week by the tough Giants.
#24 – 2-4 – Broncos
The Broncos have been lousy behind struggling Russell Wilson. They are the 2nd lowest scoring offense which negates their strong defense weekly. Host the Jets this Sunday in a must win situation to stay in the AFC playoff picture.
#25 – 2-4 Browns
Browns continue to struggle to score points waiting for QB DeShaun Watson to be activated in late November. Travel to Baltimore for a critical game for their playoff hopes where the Ravens are equally pressed for a win.
#26 – 2-4 Steelers
Steelers shocked the Bucs behind former starter QB Matthew Trubisky who replaced injured Kenny Pickett. He led late scoring to beat the Bucs in a must win situation. Travel to Miami for key Sunday night matchup where the loser has an uphill battle to stay in contention.
#27- 1-4 Raiders
The Raiders are coming off their bye week and hope to regroup for a playoff run. They host the Texans this week and need a win to start a streak to get into the AFC West chase after a poor opening month.
#28 – 2-4 Commanders
The Commanders beat the Bears on Thursday night and are well rested for host the Packers this Sunday. QB Carson Wentz will miss a few games and they will rely on backup Taylor Heinicke who gives them more mobility.
#29 – 2-4 Bears
The Bears might be the worst offense in the game and came up empty vs the Commanders. Travel to New England to face the resurging Patriots who ae always well prepared for vital winnable matchups.
#30 – 1-3-1 Texans
Texans are coming off their bye week and travel to Las Vegas to face the desperate Raiders where the loser in everything but mathematically eliminated from postseason.
#31 – 1-4 Lions
Lions are coming off their bye week after being shutout by the Patriots in a terrible performance. They have allowed the most points in the league despite one less game. Travel to Big D in tough matchup where HC Dan Campbell in on the HC watch list.
#32 – 1-5 Panthers
Panthers were outclassed by the Rams in their first game since the firing of HC Matt Rhule. They host the Bucs and will start their 4th QB in PJ Walker. This club is in total disarray and top candidate for #1 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