Chicago Bears tumble down power rankings after Vikings debacle

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Chicago Bears tumble down power rankings after Vikings debacle

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Dan Fappiano | Last updated Sep 23, 2026 11:00 PM ET

After setting the NFL world on fire in Week 1, the Chicago Bears were amongst the top five in numerous publications’ power rankings. But following their 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2, the Bears are now tumbling down those rankings.

Josh Kendall and Chad Graff of the Athletic now have Chicago sitting at No. 12. After being ranked fourth entering the Week, the Bears have now suffered an eight-spot drop.

While no reasoning was given, it’s clear to see why some around the league soured on the Bears. For starters, they lost which will inevitably lead to a drop. But Chicago scored just three points and then saw starting quarterback Caleb Williams suffer an injury. While Williams’ escaped the worst-case-scenario, belief in the Bears is tied to the quarterback’s success.

When they face the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3 – with or without their quarterback – the Bears will have a chance to soar up the rankings again. But another loss would only see Chicago further fall from their top five placement.

Chicago Bears’ Dillon Thieneman gets some shine

May 8, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) speaks during Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Amongst their power rankings, the Athletic included a highlight player for each squad. In Week 2, safety Dillon Thieneman was named the Bears’ MVP.

“The first-round safety has been all over the field through two weeks,” Kendall and Graff wrote. “Thieneman got a game ball after Chicago’s Week 1 win and then had a team-high seven tackles and a pass breakup on Sunday. He probably can’t play quarterback, though, and that’s the big question in Chicago after Caleb Williams left Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury and is considered week to week.”

The rookie’s team-leading seven tackles and pass breakup against the Vikings show how impactful the safety has been already. Chicago has plenty of questions to answer across their defense. But at the very least, the Bears appear to have found a building block in Thieneman.

He can’t do it all though. It’ll take a collective effort to bounce back. If the Bears regain their footing, their place in the power rankings won’t be questioned.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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