Yahoo Sports NFL power rankings: Where experts have the Bears in Week 18
The Chicago Bears are one of the worst teams in the NFL. The fact that they're not dead last after losing 10 straight games tells you just how lousy other teams in the league are.
In our official power rankings heading into Week 18, we ranked the Bears at No. 28, which is close to being at the bottom but not even in the final three.
Do some of the other top media sites from around the nation have the Bears that low? Do some have them lower or even higher? Here's a collection of power rankings from around the league:
USA Today
Current Ranking: 23
Last Week’s Ranking: 25
Author: Nate Davis
Author’s Take: "This is a record-setting squad, folks. It's the first team in NFL history to allow the opening score in a game 15 times; QB Caleb Williams' rookie record for passes without an interception hit 353 before being snapped Thursday night; and Chicago's 67 sacks allowed (66 of Williams) represent a new franchise nadir."
Our Take: Bringing Chicago up in his power rankings right now is certainly a take. Nate Davis always sees the bright future in the Bears and thinks that there are a handful of teams way worse than them. With that said, the stats he rattled off in his column didn't make any Bears fans feel good.
ESPN
Current Ranking: 23
Last Week’s Ranking: 25
Author: Courtney Cronin
Author’s Take: "The Bears let the 32-year-old wide receiver play out the final year of his contract after trading for him last March. His production isn't where it has been previously (two 1,100-yard seasons in the past four years) due to a lingering foot injury and issues within the Bears' offense, but he has been a safety valve for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. Allen has seen the second-most targets (118) and generated a team-high 41 first downs. Given his age, he won't make $23.1 million per year on his next deal, but it might be worth exploring whether the Bears can bring him back on a team-friendly contract."
Our Take: The "biggest offseason contract situation to watch" was the theme for ESPN in this week's power rankings. For Courtney Cronin, that is seeing where Keenan Allen ends up. Is he going to be let go in free agency after trading for him a year ago or will he stick around?
NFL.com
Current Ranking: 24
Last Week’s Ranking: 24
Author: Eric Edholm
Author’s Take: "There was ample evidence that Caleb Williams alone shouldn't have shouldered the blame for the Bears' offensive struggles heading into Week 17, but the No. 1 overall pick surely was a big part of the problem in the dispiriting 6-3 loss to the Seahawks -- Chicago's fourth game this season without an offensive touchdown. The sad finish, with Williams' fluttering heave being picked off, only added to the sting. Williams took the blame afterward for "stupid sacks" (seven on the night, bringing the season total to a whopping 67) and more, but it likely fell on deaf ears after a disastrous season that few in Chicago saw coming, especially after the 4-2 start. This offseason will bring a coaching change and likely a few other big moves, but it's going to take winning consistently -- over some impressive-looking stats -- for Bears fans to fully buy in on Williams again next season. That's how far this thing has fallen."
Our Take: That is hard to agree with right now. Caleb Williams needs to be better but it is clear that he is a high-end rookie and Bears fans know it. He is already having a top-six season in franchise history as a first-year starting rookie who is on a terrible team. If Williams can finally get some protection and a coach who knows what he's doing, he will show why he was the No. 1 pick.
NBC Sports (PFT)
Current Ranking: 24
Last Week’s Ranking: 24
Author: Mike Florio
Author’s Take: "Give Ben Johnson a blank check."
Our Take: Mike Florio seems to think that Ben Johnson is the guy for Chicago. If the Bears go that route again (hot name coordinator), they better be right this time.
The Athletic
Current Ranking: 27
Last Week’s Ranking: 25
Author: Josh Kendall
Author’s Take: "Chicago has now had two of the most inexcusable end-of-game clock management situations in the league with two different head coaches on the sideline. It kind of sums up the season for the Bears, who have lost 10 in a row after starting the season 4-2. Caleb Williams passed for 122 yards against the Seahawks, and it was only his third-lowest total of the season."
Our Take: The Athletic had a theme and theirs was mentioning something the team needs to do going forward and he said "buying a clock." Of course, that is a shot at Matt Eberflus and Thomas Brown each having clock blunders late in games.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: NFL power rankings: Where experts have the Bears in Week 18
