Chicago Bears falls in latest NFL Power Rankings |
After yet another week of the NFL season, we at DaBears HQ took a look around the NFL and put together a new edition of power rankings.
We decided to explain the top half of the rankings. 1. Ravens- The Ravens sit at 12-2 after fourteen weeks, and are closing in on a first-round bye. Baltimore has the best record in the NFL for a reason. The birds have won ten straight, including impressive wins over the Seahawks, Texans, Patriots, Rams, 49ers, and Bills. Lamar Jackson looks like the clear an MVP, and the Ravens D is improving weekly, a terrifying team in the AFC. 2. Saints- The 11-3 Saints have seen their offense improve as of late, and their defense falter. Putting up 46 points against the top-ranked 49ers is extremely impressive, but giving up 48 stings. Drew Brees now leads the NFL in all-time touchdown passes, and he is leading the “ascending” Saints offense. Drew Brees and Sean Payton have perfected the “death by a million cuts” game plan (as Colin Cowherd calls it). They have some work to do to get back the number one seed in the NFC, though. 3. Chiefs- They have one of the best offenses in the league, and the defense is getting better. Mahomes continues to look like a generational talent and is quietly racking up wins. The Chiefs have the talent to be a Super Bowl team and have finally looked to be putting it together as of late. A huge jump by the Chiefs is scary for the AFC. 4. 49ers - The 11-3 Niners have proven they are legit as can be but are also beatable. Big plays defensively from Richard Sherman and Nick Bosa mixed with a good game plan offensively has kept the 49ers in contention. Jimmy G is proving he can win games for the Niners, beating the Saints in a shootout was as impressive as it gets, but losing to the Saints’ rival Falcons sure sets them back a bit. 5. Seahawks- Russell Wilson looks like an MVP so far, and the recipe the Seahawks have has led to an 11-3 start. It is unknown just how much you can trust the Seahawks, who have lost to the Saints, Ravens, and Rams. The offense has struggled as of late and must get back on track, and a win over the Panthers seemed like they were doing just that. 6. Patriots- The 11-3 Patriots stay out of the top five after losing three of six games and getting caught for cheating. The defense is still great, and the team is still lead by Brady and Belichick so I wouldn’t hit the panic button just yet, why would you? The offense is lacking something, though, and for once, Brady and Belichick don’t have the answers. The window may actually be closing. 7. Packers- The Packers have won their division games, looked terrible against some heavyweights, and continue to sneak passed some pretty bad teams. I need to see more out of the Packers, but an 11-3 record sure looks good. The Packers have benefited by a nice schedule, but need to close out the season strong to lock down a bye. 8. Texans- The Texans have made both the Patriots and Chiefs look bad, split with the division rival Colts, and got whooped by the Ravens and now the Broncos. A bit inconsistent, but they without a doubt have a big-time offense and contending roster, they just need to put it together, and look pretty close to doing that. A tight win over the Titans helps their division hopes. 9. Vikings- The Vikings have a great roster, but an injury to Dalvin Cook ahead of the biggest game of the year is tough. After the bye, the Vikings struggled with a fellow projected playoff opponent in Seattle, and then beat the Lions and the Chargers. Not a ton of trust in the Vikings, but a lot to like in their roster. 10. Bills- The Bills have paired a few good wins together and all of a sudden sit at 10-3 wining striking distance in the AFC West. Beating Dallas and the Steelers have shown the league exactly what the Bills can be. With a defense that may be the best in the NFL and a capable QB, don’t underestimate them. 11. Titans- The Titans find themselves within striking distance for a potential playoff spot. Huge wins over the Colts and Raiders helped, but the Titans took a step back against Houston last week. Ryan Tannehill has done wonders for the Titans and may sneak them into the playoffs. 12. Cowboys- The Cowboys finally beat an above .500 team, this time a thumping of the Rams in Dallas. The Cowboys roster looks dynamic, and they need to continue to build on it. Dallas still holds the division title in its grasp and needs a win over the Eagles this Sunday to secure it. 13. Eagles- The Eagles’ most recent win over the Redskins was anything but impressive, but the Wentz led Eagles have strung together enough wins to keep them in striking distance of the NFC East. The Eagles host the Cowboys this week with the division on the line. 14. Rams- The Rams have just been too inconsistent to climb the standings and have instead hung around .500. A big win over the Bears where Gurley was great is a good place to start, but they were sidetracked big time when the Ravens pummeled them on Monday night football. They got back on track, though when they destroyed the Cardinals and Seahawks, more of that is like the Rams of last year. Just when it looked like the Rams were finding their stride, the Cowboys pummeled them. The Rams need some help to squeak into the postseason. 15. Steelers- After a disappointing start to the season, and some injuries, the Steelers found their stride and have rebounded by beating the Dolphins, Chargers, Colts, and Rams consecutively. A loss to the Browns hurt, but they beat the Bengals and got revenge over the Browns. The Steelers find themselves 8-6 with control of a wildcard spot even after losing to the Bills. 16. Buccaneers- For the first time this season, the Bucs have cracked the top half of our rankings. Jameis Winston has put together one of the more peculiar seasons we’ve ever seen from a QB — as he has a chance to lead the NFL in passing yards, touchdowns, and interceptions. The .500 Buccaneers have been a surprising team in the NFL. 17. Bears- The defense is still near the tops on the NFL, but they have been on the field way too much. The Bears have been disappointing all year long on the offensive side but looked better against the Lions and Giants and Cowboys. The midseason turn around may help for next year, but the Bears were officially eliminated from playoff contention. Falcons Colts Browns Chargers Raiders Broncos Jets Cardinals Panthers Redskins Dolphins Jaguars Giants Lions Bengals
