NFL Power Rankings, Week 16: Bears drop one spot after frustrating loss

The Chicago Bears’ 2023 playoff hopes aren’t completely dead yet, but Bears fans need to face reality and … pull the plug.

According to ESPN’s Football Power Index, the Bears have a 0.6% chance of making the postseason. I’m no math major, but that doesn’t sound good to me.

It’s sad that we’re here, isn’t it? Just a few days ago, the Bears were “in the hunt.” In fact, they were a few plays away in Week 15 from being more than in the hunt. Had they defeated the Cleveland Browns — they had a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter — their record would be the same as the Green Bay Packers, who have a 21.5% chance of making the playoffs entering Week 16.

The Chicago Bears would only be one game behind the bundle of 7-7 teams in the NFC (Seahawks, Buccaneers, Rams, Saints and Vikings), all of which have a greater than 40% chance of making the playoffs.

And let’s make this more painful, shall we? If Chicago had finished off the Broncos or Lions earlier in the season in games where they also surrendered two-score leads late in the fourth quarter, they’d be 8-6.

There are zero teams in the NFC with eight wins right now, which would have the Bears in sole possession of the fifth seed.

Crazy, right?

What isn’t crazy is where the Chicago Bears rank in ESPN’s NFL Power Rankings after choking against the Browns. They dropped one spot, from No. 23 to No. 24, which is right where they belong.

The 2023 Bears have been a roller coaster ride for fans. The talent is clearly better than it’s been in quite a while. The defense is legitimately becoming one of the best in the NFL. The offense has pieces along the offensive line, and DJ Moore is an elite receiver with several years of high-level production left in his legs. Cole Kmet is undeniably one of the league’s best tight ends, too.

But questions remain at the most important roles on any football team: quarterback and head coach.

I think Matt Eberflus has done enough to earn another year in Chicago. His defense is the main reason the Bears slowly clawed back to relevancy this year. Sure, he hasn’t been perfect, but the Bears are improving under his watch. He has a chance to double his win total from Year 1 to Year 2, that’s progress.

I’m not as confident in Fields returning. General manager Ryan Poles can pick his quarterback this year, and I have a hard time believing he won’t take advantage of that. Justin Fields is still inconsistent. He can be magical at times. He can be downright frustrating at other times. With such a mixed back through nearly three years with the Bears, it feels like Poles might be ready to move on.

What I doubt will move much between now and the end of the year is the Chicago Bears’ standing in NFL Power Rankings. They’ll remain among the bottom 10 teams, barring some miracle finish.