NFL Power Rankings: What do the experts think about the 3-2 Bears?

After the Chicago Bears slammed the Las Vegas Raiders around Allegiant Stadium on Sunday afternoon (well done James Daniels) to push their record to 3-2, I wonder if that’ll shift some of the national narrative surrounding Matt Nagy’s team. They’re starting to find an identity on offense, they have an exciting rookie in Justin Fields leading them, and the defense is making statements on a weekly basis.

Let’s check in on what the power rankers have to say this week.

Here’s how the Sporting News has it.

15. Chicago Bears 3-2 (20)

The Bears are getting a lot of heat for the way Matt Nagy continues to handle the quarterback situation, even with a full-time commitment to Justin Fields. But that’s taking away from the fact they are still built to win games with the defense and traditional running game.

Yahoo Sports has it like this.

21. Chicago Bears (3-2, LW: 24)

The Bears are probably the team that most fans couldn’t guess has a winning record after five weeks. But here they are, improving with Justin Fields under center, and a win over the Packers on Sunday would give them first place in the NFC North.

Bears up 6 spots to 23 according to NFL.com.

The identity of the Justin Fields Bears — in 2021, anyway — is beginning to take shape. Run the football (a lot), ask your young QB to protect the football and make a few plays, then let the defense take it home. That was a formula for success against the Raiders in a convincing 20-9 win at Allegiant Stadium. Chicago proved it could move the ball on the ground even without David Montgomery (knee), getting a combined 139 yards on 34 rushes from Damien Williams and Khalil Herbert. Will the Bears’ formula work against the NFL’s elite? Imposing tests lie ahead with the Packers and Bucs up next.

Sports Illustrated has the Bears at 15th this week.

Justin Fields was finally named the starter, and the defense and run game end up carrying the day in Vegas. Which is actually just how you’d think a smart coach would arrange his team around a rookie starter at the position.

Did SI just call Nagy a smart coach?

The Bears are up to 16th overall (from 23) according to ESPN.

Most improved player: DE Robert Quinn

How they’ve improved: Quinn admittedly had a rough 2020 season, but the veteran has bounced back. Through five games, Quinn has been the Bears’ most consistent pass-rusher. He has 4.5 sacks in five games this season, compared to two sacks in 15 games in 2020. Quinn’s reemergence has also allowed Khalil Mack to flourish on the other side of the line. Quinn and Mack have become one of the NFC’s most dominant pass-rushing duos. What a difference a year makes. — Jeff Dickerson

Pro Football Network has the Bears at 19.

This offense is still a massive struggle. Matt Nagy has to figure out how to help out Justin Fields the best he can while he still has his job. Chicago’s defense hovered around the NFL’s top 10 prior to this game, and it will certainly climb after dominating the Las Vegas Raiders’ offense.

Getting Fields more involved in the run game is something I talked about earlier this year, and I still want more from Fields on the ground than 3 carries. He’s an electric athlete — design runs to get him in space.

CBS Sports jumps the Bears up 8 spots to 13th overall.

The Bears are 3-2. Can you believe it? The defense came up big against the Raiders to give Justin Fields a road victory.

What are your thought son where the Bears rank this week?