NFL Power Ranking: The Bears are on the rise

As winners of three of their last four games, are the Chicago Bears finally getting into a groove, or are their wins against the last place New York Giants and last place Detroit Lions (twice) just a mirage? It’ll be hard to get a good gauge on where this team is right now until Thursday night against the Dallas Cowboys, but even then the Cowboys are a flawed team, so how much would a win in prime time mean to the Bears and the perception of them nationally?

If Mitchell Trubisky and the Bears’ offense can build off their recent success and look like a competent unit, I’d say a win against the Cowboys would mean a lot. Especially with the way the NFC playoff race is shaping up. Getting to 7-6 will but pressure on both the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings to maintain their advantage in the standings.

Let’s check how the “experts” rank this Bears this week.

NFL.com has the Bears up 4 spots to 17th overall.

“A lot of players made a lot of plays, but today was Mitch’s day.” Those were the words of Bears coach Matt Nagy, after Mitchell Trubisky threw for 338 yards and three touchdowns to beat the Lions on Thanksgiving. It was easily Trubisky’s best game of the season, and it creates an air of optimism around the much-maligned former first-round pick as the season hits its home stretch. Can Trubisky put himself in position to keep his starting job next season with a strong finish? His play has improved markedly in the past two weeks, but Chicago has been arguably the league’s most disappointing team, and Trubisky’s regression has been a big reason why. The Bears finish with a murderer’s row of opponents -- Cowboys, at Packers, Chiefs, at Vikings -- giving Trubisky both an epic challenge and a golden opportunity to salvage his season.

The Bears go from 21st to 18th according to ESPN.

Who’s under fire: Mitchell Trubisky, QB

That’s a no-brainer, right? Trubisky played much better against the Giants and Lions, but for the Bears to win out, Trubisky needs to take his game to another level. The Bears have only one signature victory all season -- against Minnesota -- and Trubisky missed almost the entire game with a shoulder injury. Chicago’s playoff chances are slim. For the Bears to make an improbable run to the postseason, Trubisky will have to lead the way. Can he do it? Most of the league remains skeptical. -- Jeff Dickerson

By moving up 5 spots, the Bears were the biggest mover in the CBS Sports Power Ranking.

Mitch Trubisky has showed some promise the past two weeks. That’s a good thing for next season.

Here’s how they have it in the USA Today.

16. Bears (22): Too-little-too-late mode. Only realistic objective remaining is stretching Mitch Trubisky in order to find out if he’s still the starter in 2020.

Sports Illustrated has the Bears tied with the 3-9 Atlanta Falcons and behind the 5-7 Buccaneers and Browns, so they clearly aren’t buying Chicago’s recent streak.

T-21. CHICAGO BEARS (6-6)

Previous rank: 22

Points in poll: 94

Highest-place vote: 19 (1 voter)

Lowest-place vote: 24 (5 voters)

Last week’s result: Beat Detroit, 24-20 (Thurs.)

This week: vs. Dallas (Thurs.)

Mitchell Trubsiky has had a turd of a season–except against the Lions. A 29-of-38 afternoon with 338 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT and a 118.1 rating was enough to squeak past a team giving a third-string quarterback his first career start, and that’s wins in three of the last four (two against Detroit, one against the Giants) for the Bears.

Yahoo Sports has it like this:

15. Bears (6-6; No. 20): The Bears are back — and they’ll soon be back to the cold, hard reality of a team that isn’t nearly as good as it was in 2018.

Here’s how the Sporting News has it this week.

17. Chicago Bears, 6-6 (20)

The Bears are starting to figure some things out again with and around Mitchell Trubisky, and it’s showing up with more competent and explosive offense. The defense is making plays, but it’s still paling in comparison to last year’s edition.

What do you guys think about the rankings this week?

Also, check out my spot with FOX Sports Radio earlier today talking Bears vs. Cowboys and the NFC wildcard race.