In three out of their first four games of the season, the Chicago Bears have dominated their opponents.
The Bears now have a top-10 scoring offense and defense. They’re also top three in offensive yards and defense yards allowed.
Now the Bears will hit the road and go to their biggest rival’s home stadium to face the Green Bay Packers.
It’s always a big game against Green Bay and it is made more important by the fact that Chicago has an 0-1 record in the division.
With four games of the season done,
let’s see how the rankers rank the Bears this week.
The Athletic – Chad Graff and Josh Kendall
8. Chicago Bears (3-1)
Last week: 9
Sunday: Beat Jets 23-12
Concern level: With Ben Johnson, they’re cruising
It didn’t matter that, without Caleb Williams, the Bears started Case Keenum and Tyson Bagent the last two weeks (though, technically, Keenum was a starter too in Week 4). Johnson has the Bears rolling, and there isn’t a whole lot to be concerned about after they easily dispatched the Jets.
PFT – Mike Florio
Bears (No. 10; 3-1): Kyle Monangai may be emerging as the best tailback option.
CBS Sports – Pete Prisco
8. Chicago Bears (9) They just keep running it down the opposing team’s throats to key their 3-1 start. Winning games with backup quarterbacks is impressive and says how good their run game is this season.
Yahoo Sports – Frank Schwab
6. Chicago Bears (3-1, LW: 11)
The Bears get a big bump, and it’s because of their defense. Chicago had a bad Week 1 on defense, and that seemed to be in line with its preseason expectations. The Bears were 25th in defensive DVOA last season and didn’t make major improvements in the offseason. But over the last three weeks the Bears’ defense has been excellent. From Week 2 through Week 4 they are third in EPA allowed per play. The only touchdowns they’ve given up in three weeks was an Eagles quarterback sneak that was snapped barely before time ran out in the first half, and a garbage time touchdown to the Jets in the fourth quarter when they led 23-6.
It helps that Chicago has faced the Vikings with Carson Wentz, an Eagles offense that looks surprisingly inept and the Jets, but the results are impressive. If Chicago has an above-average defense, this is a Super Bowl contender. We all know the offense will be fine, especially when Caleb Williams returns.
ESPN – Courtney Cronin
8. Chicago Bears (3-1)
Week 4 result: Beat the Jets 23-12
Week 4 ranking: 11Four words to describe the first four weeks: Dominating with different QBs.
Caleb Williams (hamstring injury) led the Bears to a 59-point performance against the Panthers, Case Keenum beat the Eagles handedly, and Tyson Bagent enjoyed a thorough domination of the Jets. The Bears are No. 1 in total yards, first downs and time of possession, and they have the NFL’s best rushing offense (785 total yards). “It’s the cliché, next man up, certainly, but our guys, we know we have a lot of talent throughout this roster, from the front to the back end,” coach Ben Johnson said. “And so we always know we’re going to have a chance each and every week.” — Courtney Cronin
NFL.com – Nick Shook
10. Chicago Bears (12) One of the most lopsided victories in recent memory finished in favor of Chicago, a team led by a coach who might be quarterback-proof. In the last two weeks, Ben Johnson has directed offenses led by second- and third-string quarterbacks, and the Bears haven’t missed a beat. Chicago’s win over the Jets was especially stunning when considering the time of possession (42:45 to 17:15) and total-plays differential (89 to 32), wide margins you simply don’t see in the modern NFL. It’s a testament to Johnson’s ability as a coach.
USAToday – Nate Davis
10. Chicago Bears (9): After giving up 37 points in the opener, the defense has surrendered 28 − total − over the past three weeks. Doesn’t much matter who the QB1 is with that kind of margin for error.
What do you think of Chicago’s rankings this week? Are the Bears properly ranked?
