Saturday, September 25, 2021

Chicago Bears Week 3 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2021 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the Chicago Bears rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 24.0 (24th)
  • Best ranking: 23rd (USA Today)
  • Worst ranking: 25th (NFL.com)

Below you will find a Week 3 roundup for the Bears in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 24

Fantasy surprise: WR Darnell Mooney

Let me preface this by saying that outside of David Montgomery, the Bears have very few viable fantasy options. However, the Bears are high on Mooney, who caught 61 passes for 631 yards as a rookie last year. Through two games, Mooney has been targeted 15 times. The second-year wideout has been Chicago's most productive receiver, with 11 receptions for 92 yards. -- Jeff Dickerson

NFL.com -- Rank: 25

The Bears can thank their defense for delivering the first win of their season. Chicago forced four second-half turnovers against the Bengals, picking off Joe Burrow on three consecutive pass attempts in a 20-17 victory. Roquan Smith had his first career pick-six, while Eddie Jackson forced a fumble that led to a field goal. The Bears needed these splash plays to cover for an offense that lost Andy Dalton to a knee injury. Dalton dodged a major catastrophe, and it appears the veteran will remain the starter ahead of Justin Fields if he's healthy enough to play. Bears fans might not like it, but Dalton looked like the better quarterback against the Bengals.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 24

With Andy Dalton hurting, it's time for Justin Fields to start. He didn't look good coming in for Dalton against Cincinnati, which has to be a concern.

USA Today -- Rank: 23

As predicted, this team doesn't have a good enough supporting cast to make rookie QB Justin Fields wildly successful at this point. You Chicagoans owe injured Andy Dalton an apology.

The Athletic -- Rank: 24

In the short-term, confidence may be a "2," more so because of the questions about the head coach who will be calling plays for what is expected to be Justin Fields' first NFL start. But confidence in Fields and his potential? At least a "4," and certainly higher than Andy Dalton. The rookie was shaky in his first extended playing time, and will get a stiffer test against the Browns' defense, but the "Justin Fields Era" is about to begin, and Chicago hasn't felt this good about a quarterback in a long time, if not ever.

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