Niner Noise
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NFL power rankings: 32-team post-preseason breakdown ahead of Week 1

By Peter Panacy

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterbacks Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons and Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles meet after their game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 13, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Falcons 24-15. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterbacks Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons and Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles meet after their game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 13, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Falcons 24-15. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 25: Head coach Matt Nagy of the Chicago Bears encourages his players during a preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Soldier Field on August 25, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 25: Head coach Matt Nagy of the Chicago Bears encourages his players during a preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Soldier Field on August 25, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

team. 57. . . Previous: . Chicago Bears. 17

Out of all the upstart teams coming off multiple failed seasons, few have flown under the radar as much as the Chicago Bears heading towards Week 1.

Head coach Matt Nagy resting his starters in the third week of preseason action was a bit of a head-scratcher, so we don’t see any movement from Chicago in our NFL power rankings. It might not matter anyway, because the Bears are vastly improved over what was fielded on offense a year ago at this time.

On paper, at least.

Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky has some nice new weapons at his disposal, namely wide receivers Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel. If they can stay healthy, and running back Jordan Howard picks up where he left off, the Bears offense might actually be good this season.

Weird to think that.

Defensively, the Bears are in good shape too. True, rookie linebacker Roquan Smith is dealing with a hamstring injury right now. But as long as that clears up, we might see Chicago quietly take a stab at a playoff spot this season.

Update: Acquiring Khalil Mack improves an already budding defense under coordinator Vic Fangio. Chicago would be a riser in rankings.