Niner Noise
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NFL power rankings: 49ers stay even, Patriots fall entering Week 3

By Peter Panacy

JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 16: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots walks off the field during the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on September 16, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 16: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots walks off the field during the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on September 16, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 17: Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears runs against Nick Vannett #81 of the Seattle Seahawks in the first quarter at Soldier Field on September 17, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 17: Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears runs against Nick Vannett #81 of the Seattle Seahawks in the first quarter at Soldier Field on September 17, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Previous: . Chicago Bears. 14. team. 57. . W, 24-17 vs. Seahawks

Boy, the Bears look smart by trading for Khalil Mack, don’t they? Like, Super Bowl-caliber defense, right?

There’s no other way to say it — Mack was a force against the Seahawks on Monday Night Football, registering five tackles, one sack and a crucial forced fumble late in the first half against quarterback Russell Wilson.

Mack’s presence alone moves the Bears up two spots in our rankings this week. But eventually, quarterback Mitchell Trubisky and the offense will have to take advantage of the situations Mack and Chicago’s defense present them.

Trubisky was OK on the night, missing a number of targets and tossing X interceptions, one of which wasn’t totally his fault. But the offense managed only 272 yards, averaging 4.4 yards per play.

Seattle’s defense is still moderately potent, but Trubisky and Co. will need to look better if the Bears have serious hopes for contending in the NFC North.