Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL power rankings: Post-Super Bowl 53 wrap-up for 32 teams

By Peter Panacy

ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots and teammate Tom Brady #12 celebrate at the end of the Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots and teammate Tom Brady #12 celebrate at the end of the Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – JANUARY 06: Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears hits Nick Foles #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFC Wild Card playoff game at Soldier Field on January 6, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Eagles defeated the Bears 16-15. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – JANUARY 06: Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears hits Nick Foles #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFC Wild Card playoff game at Soldier Field on January 6, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Eagles defeated the Bears 16-15. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

4. team. 57. . 12-4 record. . Chicago Bears

It was almost a tossup to decide between the Bears and Chiefs for spot Nos. 3 and 4 in our NFL power rankings.

But the Bears finish here for a couple of key reasons.

First, quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, despite being a Pro Bowler, is nowhere near the caliber of the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes. The latter being league MVP sure helps, of course. And in an age where big-time passing numbers matter more than ever before, you have to give the edge to the better quarterback.

Additionally, Chicago’s loss of Vic Fangio to the Broncos’ head coaching job could end up stinging the defense a lot more than expected.

The Bears defense was elite in 2018, both because of the arrival of EDGE Khalil Mack from the Raiders, but also due to Fangio’s tutelage with this side of the ball.

Fortunately, Chicago still has more than enough defensive prowess to maintain a grip on the NFC North. And if Trubisky finally winds up being a high-caliber quarterback, the Bears will be in top contention to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl a year from now.