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2018 NFL Power Rankings, Week 17: Saints clinch NFC’s top seed

By Russell S. Baxter

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 23: Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Dak Prescott (4) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 23, 2018 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 23: Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Dak Prescott (4) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 23, 2018 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard (24) runs in for a touchdown in the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/TNS via Getty Images)
Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard (24) runs in for a touchdown in the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/TNS via Getty Images) /

Previous: . Chicago Bears. 5. team. 57. . 11-4

Recap: The newly-crowned NFC North champions made their way West to San Francisco as the Bears and 49ers collided for the fifth consecutive year. Matt Nagy’s club wasn’t very sharp in terms of the offense but Vic Fangio’s defense once again rose to the occasion. They held the Niners to 279 total yards and didn’t allow the team to reach the end zone, limiting them to three field goals. Mitch Trubisky was sacked three times and lost a fumble but connected on 25-of-29 throws for 246 yards and one touchdown. Jordan Howard had more than half (53) of the Bears’ 90 yards on the ground and scored on a two-yard run late in the third quarter.

Next Week: Nagy’s club is off to the Twin Cities to face a Vikings’ team that the Bears stifled on a Sunday night at Soldier Field, 25-20, in Week 11. Now Chicago looks to wrap up its first season sweep of the Purple Gang since 2011. And that could be quite the challenge for a Bears’ team that has lost six straight at Minnesota.

Playoff hopes: The 11-4 Bears can be no worse than the No. 3 seed in the NFC as they own a two-game lead in the overall standings over the NFC East champion Dallas Cowboys (9-6). And if the Los Angeles Rams stumble at home next week vs. the 49ers and the Chicago wins at Minnesota, Nagy’s team earns a first-round playoff bye.

Next: No. 4

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