NFC North power rankings after final week of preseason

3. Chicago Bears

It sounds funny saying this, but the 2023 Chicago Bears might be this year's version of the 2022 Detroit Lions. They're a team that no one is giving much of a chance to compete, but very well could end up improving in a dramatic fashion.

I'm not saying the Bears are making the playoffs, but going from a 3-win team to an 8-or-9-win team is certainly possible.

It's all about Justin Fields in his third year, though. If Fields can take a step forward, there's no reason this Bears team won't win double the games they won in 2022. Chicago added talent around him, protection in front of him and filled in some gaps on defense to allow their football team to be much more well-rounded. We haven't seen much yet over the preseason, but the little we've seen from Fields and their electric playmakers like D.J. Moore and Khalil Herbert has been enough to catch our eyes.

Now, there are a lot of things that have to go right for the Bears, but they're sitting here at no. 3 above the Packers for a reason. Having a dynamic talent like Fields under center helps. Boasting the league's number one overall rushing attack further helps. And, adding guys like T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds on defense automatically makes you a better football team.

Look out for Chicago to be a pesky, competitive team on the rise this season.