vincent parise, bears wire
·4 min read
The Chicago Bears got a big win over the Los Angeles Rams last Sunday. A win kept the negativity from piling up after a slow start. Going 2-2 to start the season is much different than being 1-3.
Losing two in a row following a win in Week 1 didn't do the Bears any favors in most national power ranking lists. The offense looking as pedestrian as it did in the first two games made them feel like the same old Bears. However, this win over the Rams showed some progress for the offense as they finally established the run game and Caleb Williams continues to make progress. The defense continued to be elite and they beat a Rams team that believed they could be elite despite all of the injuries that they had.
We ranked the Bears 19th in our power rankings, which is fair after the 2-2 start looking the way that it did. They are not a horrific team but they have a lot of work to do. But where do other major outlets have the Bears ranked?
The Athletic (New York Times)
Current Ranking: 19
Last Week’s Ranking: 26
Author:Josh Kendall
Authors’s Take: "At the moment, No. 1 pickCaleb Williamsis suffering from the comparison to Jayden Daniels, but pretty much anyone would right now. The bad news for Williams: He’s 29th in the league in EPA per dropback (minus-.22). The good news: His weekly passer rating has gone 55.7, 51, 80.8 and 106.6. Sunday washis best gameby far (73.9 percent completion rate, .23 EPA per dropback), and it coincided with his fewest number of dropbacks (26 one week after having 56). First-round wide receiverRome Odunzehas been fine (10 catches, 166 yards) but not spectacular."
Our Take:Chicago's offense has been far from spectacular which is why it's the main focus of the team. Kendall did a good job reminding everyone that Caleb Williams has been getting better and better each week.
ESPN
Current Ranking: 20
Last Week’s Ranking: 26
Author:Courtney Cronin
Authors’s Take: "The Bears' defense has been outstanding, so any issues are more likely addressed by fine-tuning rather than wholesale changes. Chicago ranked No. 1 against the run in 2023 and is allowing 121 rushing yards and 4.5 yards per carry per game, which ranks 18th and 10th, respectively. While the Bears have allowed only one 100-yard rusher (Jonathan Taylorin Week 3) and struggled to take downKyren Williams(5.0 yards per carry in Week 4), finding ways to improve against the run gets Matt Eberflus' unit one step closer to its goal of top-five status."
Our Take: Cronin is right about Chicago's defense. If they start to lock down against the run, they will be a top-five NFL unit. That would keep carrying them up the playoff rankings, too.
USA Today
Current Ranking: 21
Last Week’s Ranking: 26
Author:Nate Davis
Authors’s Take: "In case you missed it – and we did – TE Marcedes Lewis made some rather notable history in Sunday's victory."
Our Take:Nate Davis chose to talk about Marcedes Lewis with his blurb about the Bears. Of course, Lewis set the NFL record for most career games played by a tight end with 272.
NFL.com
Current Ranking: 22
Last Week’s Ranking: 24
Author:Eric Edholm
Authors’s Take: "Two big offensive issues were addressedSunday: the run game andCaleb Williams' ability to handle the blitz. The Bears entered the day with one of the worst rushing attacks in the league, but they left with hope after gettingD’Andre Swiftgoing, whileRoschon Johnsonsecured three key second-half conversions. Williams wasn’t perfect, but he completed seven of his eight passes for 65 yards and a touchdown vs. Rams blitzes. The Bears still have to solve their first-quarter doldrums; they've scored just three points all season in their games' first 15 minutes. The defense gave Chicago its first spark witha fumble recovery in the red zone, and it closed things outwith an interception. The margin for error remains small, while the passing game keeps making gradual steps forward, but the Bears find themselves in decent shape at 2-2, withtwowinnablegamesupcoming before the bye."
Our Take:Eric seems to be interested in the Bears going forward yet skeptical about the way that they have gotten to 2-2. That makes a ton of sense based on what we've seen so far. But 22 feels a little low after seeing Caleb Williams take steps but not everybody is going to raise them up five or more spots after winning one game.
PFT (NBC Sports)
Current Ranking: 22
Last Week’s Ranking: 27
Author:Mike Florio
Authors’s Take: "For as much as they’ve struggled, 2-2 looks pretty good."
Our Take:The Bears could be a lot worse than 2-2 with the way that they've played. They have put themselves in a position where they could have a good record if they do start to play to their potential. Good times are ahead.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: NFL power rankings roundup: Where the Bears fall in Week 5
