NFL Power Rankings: Assessing the Bears' Progress Since the Challenging 2022 Season
The NFL never ceases to astonish, though the leading contenders for the upcoming season are pretty evident.
The foremost quartet of teams has the ultimate recipe for a championship: a top-notch quarterback with an abundant supporting cast. The Eagles (Jalen Hurts), Bengals (Joe Burrow), Chiefs (Patrick Mahomes), and Bills (Josh Allen) are ready for any opposition.
There are a few teams in their wake that could surpass expectations or ride a lucky streak to make a dash for the Super Bowl.
The Bears are particularly intriguing. Will they just be a team with a five-win streak that shows little improvement from the last season, or will their quarterback, Justin Fields, make a significant stride in passing and propel them into the playoffs? The scenarios are many.
As we inch closer to training camp, here's an overview of how all 32 teams rank:
1. EaglesAfter losing the Super Bowl due to a last-minute field goal, the Eagles, who had the most well-rounded and skilled roster last season, are all set to claim the victory this time.
2. BengalsThe Bengals are eyeing their third consecutive AFC Championship Game appearance. They aren't far behind the Eagles in terms of talent.
3. ChiefsThe Chiefs have been contenders for the title for six straight seasons, and with Mahomes on their side, they'll always have a shot.
4. BillsThe Bills have paid a price for the rise of the Bengals. Despite being No. 2 in the NFL in points scored and allowed, they were defeated by Cincinnati in the playoffs.
5. 49ersEven with the quarterback issues last season, the 49ers achieved the third-best record in the NFL at 13-4, backed by three All-Pros on defense.
6. DolphinsThe Dolphins are on the verge of making a mark, armed with six-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey and four-time selection Xavien Howard.
7. RavensWith peace restored with their star quarterback Lamar Jackson and a top-five defense led by All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith, the Ravens are in a good place.
8. CowboysThe Cowboys have been unstoppable in recent regular seasons but have an unfortunate history of underperforming in the playoffs. It seems like we might witness that story unfold again this season.
9. JetsAaron Rodgers didn't impress much last season. Although his move to the Jets seems to have revived him, carrying a team as he approaches 40 will be a tough task.
10. JaguarsThe Jaguars are genuinely on an upward trajectory. Trevor Lawrence led them to seven victories in the last nine games to make the playoffs last season. Their cause is helped by the fact that they're in a weak division.
11. ChargersThe Chargers struggled defensively last season, but they have a promising young quarterback in Justin Herbert who might help them overcome this.
12. LionsThe Lions had an unusual offseason after achieving their first winning record since 2014. They're still heavily reliant on Jared Goff as their quarterback.
13. GiantsThe Giants, who started strong but cooled off later, were trounced by the Eagles in the playoffs. They are distinctly behind Philadelphia and Dallas.
14. SeahawksThe best season of Geno Smith's career happened when he was 32. How confident are the Seahawks that they can replicate that success this season?
15. SteelersLike the Steelers, the Patriots are in the process of identifying their quarterback. They have been consistently good under Mike Tomlin and will stave off a complete collapse.
16. VikingsThe NFC North is wide open this season, but the Vikings have issues. They posted a 13-4 record last season but had a negative point differential.
17. BroncosThe Broncos are set to make a small comeback with Sean Payton as head coach and a healthy Russell Wilson returning as quarterback.
18. PatriotsThe Patriots, much like the Steelers, are a force that cannot be ignored. They have their weaknesses, but they were just a game short of the playoffs last season.
19. SaintsDerek Carr enters a far more winnable division than the one he left. The Saints aren't stellar, but six games against the Falcons, Panthers, and Buccaneers will give them a boost.
20. BrownsDeshaun Watson holds the keys to the Browns' success. He had a 79.1 passer rating in six games last season.
21. PackersWith their separation from Rodgers, the Packers are now counting on Jordan Love. He has played just 157 snaps since Green Bay picked him in the first round in 2020.
22. RamsThe Rams had a disastrous 5-12 season after winning the title, a unique downturn for a defending champion.
23. RaidersThe Raiders haven't seen more than 10 wins in a season since 2016 and had one of the worst defenses in the NFL last season.
24. BearsThe Bears seem to have made just enough progress to crawl out of the basement. They could hover around the middle of the pack and be on the fringe of playoff contention if everything goes right.
25. TitansThe Titans' quarterback situation with Ryan Tannehill, Malik Willis, and Will Levis is still muddled, which is never ideal.
26. ColtsWith No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson, it's a reset at quarterback for the Colts. It might take him some time to get comfortable.
27. CommandersThe Commanders, tied with the Bears for the fifth-worst record in the NFL over the past decade, have posted a 63-97-2 record.
28. PanthersThe Bears will be cheering for Panthers'
| POLL | ||
15 JUILLET | 93 ANSWERS NFL Power Rankings: Assessing the Bears' Progress Since the Challenging 2022 Season Will the Bears win more than 8 games this season? | ||
| Yes | 70 | 75.3 % |
| No | 23 | 24.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
