Draft Insiders’ – NFL Power Poll
NFL Power Poll – Week 4
Draft Insiders’ – Power Poll – Week 4
Team of the Week
Dolphins Smashes Broncos in key AFC Matchup
Players of the Week
NFC
Offense – RB Christian McCaffrey – 49ers
Defense – DE Aidan Hutchinson – Lions
AFC
Offense – QB Tua Tagavailoa – Dolphins
Defense – S Keith Hamilton – Ravens
Rookies of the Week
Offense – QB CJ Stroud – Texans & RB De’Von Achane – Dolphins
Defense – S Brian Branch – Lions
Games of Week 4
Thursday
Detroit @ Green Bay – 8:15 pm Prime
Sunday
Miami @ Buffalo – 1:00 pm – CBs
Monday
Seattle @ NY Giants – 8:15 pm – NBC
NFL Team Power Poll
Draft Insiders’ Staff – Frank Coyle/Publisher
Ranking /Record /Team
#1 – 49ers – 3-0
The 49ers drilled the Giants behind the explosive versatile Christian McCaffrey and cagey QB Brock Purdy. Host the Cardinals in an NFC West matchup.
#2 – Eagles – 3-0
The Eagles wacked the Bucs relying on their deep strong ground game and tough defense to make the difference. Host rival the Commanders this week in their first key NFC matchup.
#3 – Chiefs – 2-1
Chiefs toyed with the pathetic Bears last week. Mahomes is the magic man. Their underrated defense has given up only 40 points in 3 games. Travel to MetLife to face struggling Jets on Sunday night.
#4 – Bills – 2-1
Bills regrouped with two game winning streak. Host crucial AFC East matchup vs the Dolphins for divisional lead. Huge challenge for divisional leadership which may define AFC playoffs.
#5 – Dolphins – 3-0
Dolphins smoked the Broncos with a record setting performance behind QB Tue and a potent ground game. That offense will be tested vs the Bills in Buffalo with clubs usually playing tight competitive contests.
#6 – Lions – 2-1
The Lions rebounded with a strong win over the Falcons. Edge defender Aidan Hutchinson is a game changer and team leader. Travel to Titletown in huge NFC North battle for leadership.
#7 – Ravens – 2-1
The Ravens fell asleep vs the Colts. Travel to Cleveland and Pittsburgh in back to back AFC North matchups which have always proven to critical in the AFC playoff picture.
#8 – Cowboys – 2-1
The Cowboys were spanked by the Cardinals again, exploiting their overrated defense. Host the Patriots this week where inconsistent QB Dak Prescott will be tested by a savvy Belichick defense.
#9 – Browns – 2-1
Browns bashed the Titans last week where in QB Deshaun Watson stepped up. Their defense has flashed dominant play. They host the Ravens in the acid test where they usually battle in very competitive matchups.
#10 – Seahawks – 2-1
Seahawks edged the winless Panthers last week. Travel to MetLife to face the GMen on Monday night. They rely on QB Geno Smith with their defense slow to come together in the early action.
#11 – Packers – 2-1
The Packers edged the Saints last week behind some clutch play of QB Jordan Love. They face a huge test at home Thursday night vs the hot Lions. Love gets his toughest test yet in his early starting time.
#12 – Saints – 2-1
The Saints fell to the Packers last week in a game they let get away from them. Host the Bucs in a huge NFC South matchup between strong contenders for the divisional title.
#13 – Jaguars – 1-2
Jaguars were bombed by the Texans, failing on both sides of the ball. Their defense was toasted by rookie QB CJ Stroud where they failed to cover with any consistency. QB Trevor Lawrence needs better protection to get this offense producing. Face the Falcons in London this week.
#14 – Bengals – 1-2
The Bengals got their first win on Monday night vs the Rams. Look to get to ,500 in a key early AFC matchup with the Titans. QB Joe ‘Cool’ Burrow has struggled with a leg injury, though needs to be the leader here to right this contender.
#15 – Chargers -1-2
The Chargers slugged it out with the Vikings and gutted it out for their first victory. They host arch rival, the Raiders this week where they need to get to .500 to stay close to the Chiefs.
#16 – Giants – 1-2
The Giants are well rested after a poor Thursday night loss to the 49ers. Host the Seahawks on Monday night in a huge game vs the Seahawks. Runner Saquon Barkley is probably out with an ankle injury. QB Danny Jones benefits from the return of LT Andrew Thomas which should improve their suspect protection.
#17 – Steelers – 2-1
Steelers edged rival, the Raiders on Sunday night. QB Kenny Pickett continues to be clutch, despite some inconsistencies. They travel to Houston to face hot rookie QB CJ Stroud where their defense faces a huge test.
#18 – Rams – 1-2
Rams came up short vs the Bengals last week. QB Stafford must carry the load with a subpar ground game currently. Travel to Indy for a key matchup to stay abreast in the tough NFC West.
#19 – Bucs – 2-1
Bucs fell from the unbeaten to the Eagles last week. They still hold the lead the NFC South along with the Saints and Falcons. They travel to New Orleans in key divisional battle which may determine early leadership.
#20 – Falcons – 2-1
Falcons were inept vs the Lions, struggling mainly on offensive. Starting young QB Desmond Ridder faces the Jaguars in London, looking to rebound from a poor performance.
#21 – Commanders – 2-1
The Commanders were toasted by the Bills last week for their first loss. Travel to Philly in another big matchup where they will get tested and must prove more than a paper tiger.
#22 – Patriots – 1-2
The Pats beat the struggling Jets with another strong Belichick game plan. Travel to Dallas for big matchup where their offense will be tested by quality speed. Belichick will have to put together great game plan to neutralize the savvy QB Burrow with both clubs needing a victory for their postseason hopes.
#23 – Jets – 1-2
Jets have been totally inept on offense behind young QB Zach Wilson. With few options currently, they need a new game plan. Host the Chiefs Sunday night in a very difficult matchup They need a stronger ground game to put their tough defense in better position to contain the Chiefs explosive attack.
#24 – Titans – 1-2
The Titans got crushed by the Brown last week. Host the Bengals this week where the loser goes a
discouraging 1-3. Titans are one of the lowest scoring clubs in the league which has negated a good
defensive effort. Their offense needs to step up and control the game behind runner Derrick Henry.
#25 – Colts – 2-1
Colts shocked the Ravens last week in OT. They host the Rams where their pass defense will be tested to the fullest. They hope to hold the AFC South leadership with a home victory.
#26 – Raiders – 1-2
Raiders failed to close vs the Steelers last week. Travel to LA to face rival, the Chargers in a key AFC West contest looking to reach the .500 mark. Offense struggling mightily currently.
#27 – Texans – 1-2
The young Texans played hard and shocked the Jaguars. Rookie QB CJ Stroud has brought fire to their struggling offense. Hout the Steelers in a battle of young passers with Kenny Pickett. They could surprise in the wide open AFC South.
#28 – Vikings – 0-3
Vikings failed to beat the Chargers in a close shootout. Their explosive offense continues to compensate of a vulnerable defense with major secondary issues. Travel to Carolina in a battle of the winless.
#29 – Cardinals – 1-2
Cardinals beat the Cowboys regularly with young QB Joshua Dobbs directing the upset. They travel to San Fran for huge divisional test.
#30 – Panthers – 0-3
Panthers waiting for top pick Bryce Young to clear concussion protocol. This season promises growing pain, though valuable experience for the face of the franchise. Host the winless Vikings this week with Young likely to return to the field.
#31 – Broncos – 0-3
Broncos were annihilated by the Dolphins 70-20 last week. Things coming apart at the seam.
Travel to Chicago in week’s second matchup of winless teams.
#32 – Bears – 0-3
The Bears are equally inept on both sides of the ball and are on another losing streak. Who voted QB Justin Fields as the leagues’ #86th ranked player? They host the desperate Broncos this week.
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