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NFL power rankings: 2020 edition – Super Bowl champion Chiefs at No. 1, 49ers, Ravens in hot pursuit

By Russell S. Baxter

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs talks with Patrick Mahomes #15 against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs talks with Patrick Mahomes #15 against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 22: Head coach Matt Nagy of the Chicago Bears stands during the National Anthem with Mitchell Trubisky #10, and Kyle Fuller #23 before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Soldier Field on December 22, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chiefs defeated the Bears 26-3. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 22: Head coach Matt Nagy of the Chicago Bears stands during the National Anthem with Mitchell Trubisky #10, and Kyle Fuller #23 before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Soldier Field on December 22, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chiefs defeated the Bears 26-3. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

14. Chicago Bears (8-8)

3rd Place, NFC North

Season Review: The Bears were seeking to make consecutive playoff appearances for the first time since the 2005 and ‘06 seasons. But Matt Nagy’s club got off to a rough start in the home opener against the Packers and despite a strong second half of the season won four fewer games (8) than a year ago when they won the NFC North with a 12-4 record. One of the culprits was an offensive unit that struggled mightily in the first half of games far too many times. And a fierce defense that was on the rise a season ago certainly took some steps backwards in terms of takeaways as well as its ability to stop the run.

2019 Turning Point: After a 3-1 start, Nagy’s club faced the Raiders in London. After spotting Oakland a 17-point lead, the Bears rallied to take a 21-17 advantage in the fourth quarter. But the vaunted Chicago defense couldn’t stop Jon Gruden’s team late. A 24-21 setback was the start of a four-game losing streak.

2020 Priorities: Via ESPN’s Jeff Dickerson, three-year quarterback Mitch Trubisky recently underwent surgery on his left shoulder and recovery is expected to take a couple of months. While general manager Ryan Pace doesn’t have a first-round pick in April, the Bears do own a pair of second-round selections.

13. Los Angeles Rams (9-7)

3rd Place, NFC West

Season Review: The defending NFC champions won their first three games but struggled in those contests and went onto drop seven of their final 13 outings. Running back Todd Gurley only showed his Pro Bowl form on occasion (the Rams finished 26th in the NFL in rushing) and unfortunately, quarterback Jared Goff picked up where he left off late in 2018 when it came to ball security. He finished the year with 22 touchdown passes and a disappointing 21 turnovers. The Los Angeles’ defense, despite the presence of perennial All-Pro Aaron Donald, just wasn’t equipped to make up for the team’s offensive shortcomings.

2019 Turning Point: A 3-0 start was followed by three straight losses. But McVay’s club rebounded to win five of their next seven games and were still hanging around in the powerful NFC West. However, an ugly 44-21 setback at Dallas at Week 15 showed that these Rams just wouldn’t be around for the long haul.

2020 Priorities: Head coach Sean McVay will have some new faces on his coaching staff in the form of coordinators Kevin O’Connell (offense) and Brandon Staley (defense). The Rams have some key defenders that could test free agency, including interior lineman Michael Brockers and linebacker Cory Littleton.

Next: Nos. 12 and 11

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