NFL Power Ranking: What do the experts think about the Bears?

The Chicago Bears are dead last in total offensive yards, 30th in points scored, 31st in third down conversion percentage, and 30th in fourth down conversion percentage so far this season. The running game (131 ypg) has been the only bright spot for Chicago’s offense, but unfortunately this isn’t 1991 — it’s a passing league these days — and the Bears are dead last in passing at 124.4 yards per game.

Breaking in a rookie quarterback has a lot to do with that, but I’m still waiting for some offensive innovation from this coaching staff.

Let’s see what some of the Power Rankers have to say about the 3-4 Bears this week.

Here’s how Yahoo Sports has it this week

24. Chicago Bears (3-4, LW: 21)

Justin Fields threw an interception because he was told in his helmet headset that the Buccaneers had 12 men on the field and he had a free play, so he should snap it quickly. The Buccaneers didn’t have 12 men on the field. That is a ridiculously bad mistake by the team’s staff, which isn’t exactly boosting a young quarterback who needs some help.

Sports Illustrated has the Bears at 20 while jumping to some awful wild conclusions.

Something seems off in Chicago. Justin Fields doesn’t look happy. Matt Nagy looks defensive. Both of them seem to be passive aggressively tattling on one another after each loss. I mentioned a few weeks ago that rookie QB trade requests shouldn’t be weird. I stand by that opinion.

Pro Football Network has the Bears at 23.

We knew their 3-3 record was a bit of a farce, and in Week 7, the defending Super Bowl champions said “hello” to the Bears in a less-than-kind manner. Chicago’s defense played decently in coverage, but their struggles stopping the run came to roost against the Buccaneers.

Their passing attack offers absolutely nothing. At one point, Chicago pulled their backup right tackle to insert a backup guard in his place. The offensive line is non-existent, and we must simply hope Justin Fields can survive the onslaught for another 10 weeks.

NFL.com has the Bears holding steady at 23rd overall.

You have to squint hard to find positives to take out of Sunday’s 38-3 loss to the Bucs. The Bears were outclassed in all facets — unable to slow down Tom Brady and a parade of Tampa Bay playmakers, while the offense couldn’t get out of its own way in a five-turnover showing. Justin Fields was responsible for all five of those giveaways (three INTs and two lost fumbles), but head coach Matt Nagy was right to keep his rookie signal-caller under center for the duration of the blowout. The 2021 Bears are not a Super Bowl contender — they’re not a playoff team, either — so let Fields get the necessary experience and live with the good, the bad and the (very) ugly.

ESPN is dropping the Bears 3 spots to 22.

Prediction we missed: DE Robert Quinn’s performance.

Coming off a disappointing 2020 season, Quinn, 31, battled back injuries in the offseason program and over the summer. The odds of Quinn having a bounce-back year seemed remote. But the veteran has been the Bears’ best defender through seven games with 5.5 sacks and a handful of tackles for loss. The Bears sorely missed Quinn (reserve/COVID-19 list) in their Week 7 loss at Tampa Bay. — Jeff Dickerson

CBS Sports also dropped the Bears 3 to 22nd this week.

Justin Fields is having his growing pains, but it’s the right thing to keep him in the lineup. What’s the point of taking him out?

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

20. Chicago Bears 3-4 (19)

The Bears might be showing everyone why they were reluctant to rush Justin Fields into action over Andy Dalton, because they have no chance at the playoffs with league-worst rookie quarterback play. That offensive ineptitude is frustrating the defense on every level. It looks as if Matt Nagy is just coaching out the string.

What’s your take on the Bears place in the power rankings this week?