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The Chicago Bears are headed into Week 18 with the NFC North already in their back pocket. Now, they are trying to secure the No. 2 seed in the NFC with a win over the Detroit Lions. It isn't going to be easy, but head coach Ben Johnson is incredibly motivated to get it done against his old team.
In Week 17, the Bears lost their chance at the No. 1 seed due to their loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday Night Football. It was a thrilling game, where quarterback Caleb Williams played incredible and there was a lot to like. But there is a concrete consequence to losing it in the end.
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The Bears, despite the loss, came in at No. 4 in our power rankings. Here's a look at where they landed among other media outlets:
USA Today
Current Ranking: 8
Last Week’s Ranking: 9
Author: Nate Davis
Author’s Take: "One of the great stories of the 2025 season, the newly crowned NFC North champs seem at least a year ahead of schedule − armed with an identity and confidence in rookie coach Ben Johnson's philosophy on and off the field. But second-year QB Caleb Williams is another without big-game experience. Maybe of more concern is a gambling approach, great as it is at forcing turnovers, that has seen Chicago surrender at least 27 points in seven of its 16 games."
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Our Take: This loss to the 49ers seems to have given more folks hope in the Bears than some of their impressive wins. The NFC North champs deserve some respect, even if there is some caution.
The Athletic
Current Ranking: 8
Last Week’s Ranking: 8
Author: Josh Kendall
Author’s Take: "Ben Johnson has been just as good as everyone thought he’d be while he was coordinating the Lions offense. The Bears clinched the NFC North before they played Sunday, and then proved they are legit Super Bowl contenders despite the loss. Chicago scored on five of its final seven possessions against the 49ers, Caleb Williams threw for 330 yards, and the Bears came within 2 yards of a game-winning touchdown."
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Our Take: The Athletic's theme for their Week 18 power rankings is a check-in on every team's head coach. For Ben Johnson, it's everything you would expect to hear. He is as he was advertised when he first took the job. Everything about the Bears, especially their offense led by Caleb Williams, is better because of Johnson. He may be the savior that this team has needed for the last four decades.
ESPN
Current Ranking: 9
Last Week’s Ranking: 8
Author: Courtney Cronin
Author’s Take: "Johnson chose the Bears in large part because of his belief in Williams and that he could turn the 2024 No. 1 pick into a franchise quarterback. The 24-year-old quarterback's growth has helped Chicago win the NFC North this season and should pay dividends for years to come. The Bears of old would never have been able to compete in a shootout like Sunday night's loss, but Williams is equipped to deliver in those games because of Chicago's scheme, personnel, and offensive playcaller."
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Our Take: ESPN's theme was something that we learned about the team. For the Bears, Courtney Cronin wrote about the only thing there is to write about with this prompt: that the Bears have a coach/QB combo they can trust going forward.
NFL.com
Current Ranking: 7
Last Week’s Ranking: 6
Author: Eric Edholm
Author’s Take: "All of the thrillers the Bears have been in this season -- with Chicago winning most of them -- have likely primed this team for playoff action. The Bears were one play away from beating the 49ers on the road in one of the more entertaining games of the season, and it would have been a significant win. But just like the trip to Green Bay in early December, it wasn't meant to be. Caleb Williams missed a few layups but also hit some big shots and gave the Bears a chance -- though it might be hard to face a top-tier offense such as the 49ers' and survive in the playoffs unless the defense takes a step forward. I didn't walk away from Sunday night's game discouraged about the Bears, but I suspect Chicago’s lack of athleticism on the defensive front will be its eventual undoing, with some high-powered attacks dotting the NFC playoff field. Perhaps the late-game magic will return and prove me wrong, but the Bears must get better at supplying pressure, setting better edges, and finishing plays on D."
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Our Take: This is a fair analysis of what is going on for the Chicago Bears. There are questions on defense, and Caleb Williams, for how good he's been, still has room for improvement. They are much more prepared for the playoffs than anyone would have thought they'd be back in September, but some hard work is still ahead.
NBC Sports (PFT)
Current Ranking: 6
Last Week’s Ranking: 7
Author: Mike Florio
Author’s Take: "Despite losing, they proved they’re ready to contend."
Our Take: Mike Florio, in a short but sweet way, declared the Bears contenders. The loss to San Francisco actually propelled the Bears up a slot. They did almost beat one of the best teams in the conference in a shootout to follow an impressive string of wins. Not finding a way to win on the last play does have its consequences (not being the No. 1 seed), but they proved that they belong.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears power rankings roundup: Where Chicago lands in Week 18
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