NFL power rankings: Post-preseason 32-team breakdown before Week 1

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – AUGUST 24: Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears reacts after a play in the preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

. . Previous: . Chicago Bears. 5. team. 57

it would be really easy to drop the Chicago Bears down in NFL power rankings, as it’s understandable why their defense takes a hit with Vic Fangio departing and taking the majority of his defensive assistants with him to Denver.

This will put a good chunk of pressure on quarterback Mitchell Trubisky and the offense, of course, but it doesn’t change the fact Chicago’s defense still boasts a great deal of playmakers.

EDGE Khalil Mack is still a difference maker, after all.

But Trubisky will still be the focal point for head coach Matt Nagy and Co. Unlike last year, the Bears aren’t going to surprise anyone. They have targets on their collective back now, and the question is if Trubisky can finally take the leap from being a decent signal-caller to a franchise-carrying one.

If so, Chicago will be in excellent shape and should have little trouble retaining its solid grip on what’s shaping up to be a very competitive NFC North again this season.

Don’t fall in love with the Bears being atop power rankings, though. The scenario is set for a pretty notable fall from the upper tiers here.