Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL power rankings: Playoff picture taking shape heading into Week 17

By Peter Panacy

NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 24: The Atlanta Falcons play the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 24, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 24: The Atlanta Falcons play the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 24, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 33
Next
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 24: Jordan Howard #24 of the Chicago Bears celebrates after scoring against the Cleveland Browns in the third quarter at Soldier Field on December 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Bears defeated the Cleveland Browns 20-3. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 24: Jordan Howard #24 of the Chicago Bears celebrates after scoring against the Cleveland Browns in the third quarter at Soldier Field on December 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Bears defeated the Cleveland Browns 20-3. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /

W, 20-3 vs. Browns. Previous: . Chicago Bears. 27. team. 57.

The Bears don’t move up in our NFL power rankings despite beating the Browns in Week 16 because, well, the Browns stink. Even if the Bears aren’t good, they’re vastly superior to the Browns in every facet.

Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky was good enough, despite the cold and snow, throwing for nearly 200 yards and posting a 87.8 passer rating — never easy in inclement weather.

Usually, this would mean a heavy workload for running back Jordan Howard. And while he had two rushing touchdowns, Howard had only 44 yards rushing. Instead, Chicago let Cleveland make mistakes and took advantage of three Browns turnovers.

The Bears wrap up their 2017 season with a road contest against the Minnesota Vikings, and hopefully Chicago can take comfort in the thought Minnesota might be resting its starters.