NFL Power Rankings Week 16: Seahawks Bury Rams on TNF

29. Chicago Bears (3-11)

Chicago Bears quarterback Matt Barkley is doing his best to make the case that he should retain the starting job for the team beyond this season. Barkley threw for 362 yards and two touchdowns, but was tarnished by three picks. Still, he has gotten slightly better in every game in which he’s played. The Bears looked dead in the dirt after falling behind 27-10, however this team showed fight and battled back to tie the game late with just over one minute remaining. Sadly for Chicago, the defense was unable to stop a 60-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers to Jordy Nelson, and a Mason Crosby field goal got the Packers out of Chicago with a victory.

Now, we’re not anointing Barkley this team’s starter moving forward, but he has to have at least garnered some consideration for next season. It will all depend on what the Bears do with Jay Cutler, who had his season ended early due to a shoulder injury. Unless the Bears keep Cutler or make a big splash in free agency, Barkley figures to at least have a chance to compete for the starting job should the Bears bring him back. If the Bears can figure things out behind center, this team does have a solid defense and a franchise running back in Jordan Howard to build around. Bringing wide receiver Alshon Jeffery back will be a major key to the offseason as well, but the Bears will have a ton of competition for their star wideout.