Chicago Bears Ranked Among Teams Who Can Dethrone Patriots

The Chicago Bears are likely one of those teams who aren't in awe of the New England Patriots. This due to the game the two teams played last year. Chicago narrowly lost 38-31 despite allowing two special teams touchdowns. They also came a yard away from forcing overtime after a Mitch Trubisky Hail Mary to Kevin White as time expired.

So they know they can play the defending world champions well. The rest of the league knows it too. One would think this might get them some proper treatment when Adam Schein of NFL.com ranked the nine teams he considers to have the best opportunity to overthrow the kings. Let's just say his list is expecting a lot of the hype to be real about certain teams.

Kansas City is #1, which is fine. The Chargers are #2. Okay. Getting a bit out there. Dallas at #3? Really? Oh it gets better though. The Cleveland Browns are at #7. Yep. A team that hasn't made the playoffs since 2002 is suddenly expected to beat the greatest dynasty in modern NFL history. Last but not least? The Packers are at #8, one spot ahead of the Bears at #9.

"Chicago's talent on defense is off the charts, which outweighs my fears about not having Vic Fangio coaching it up, now that the defensive mastermind has moved on to Denver. Khalil Mack is a stud, and there is Pro Bowl talent at every level of this D, from DE Akiem Hicks to LB Roquan Smith to S Eddie Jackson.

Perhaps most importantly, I think Mitch Trubisky takes a major step forward in Year 3 after a really strong Year 2 under head coach Matt Nagy. Playmakers like Tarik Cohen, Allen Robinson and Trey Burton (assuming everything goes smoothly in his recovery from sports-hernia surgery) will facilitate that effort."

Chicago Bears continue to be doubted and they love it

It's hard to believe that a team who finished 12-4 last year and featured the best defense in the NFL is still so widely disrespected. Meanwhile Green Bay, a team that hasn't made the playoffs for two years is expected to go all the way. Maybe this is just the latest proof that offseason hype can get a little carried away this time of year.

If anything, the Bears seem to prefer it this way. Being doubted and not receiving much spotlight is a timeless motivator. Especially for a team that feels they have what it takes to win a championship. Nothing feels better than proving all the doubters wrong. Chicago hasn't tasted a title in 34 years now. They are long overdue.

Unseating the mighty Patriots to get it done? That would certainly be the perfect way to put all of those critics to bed.