Stephen A. Smith has named his new favorites to watch the Super Bowl after an impressive Week 8 of NFL action.
ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith has released his new NFL Power Rankings, and he has placed the Chicago Bears at number one.
Speaking on First Take , Smith believes that head coach Ben Johnson has formed a formidable team around quarterback Caleb Williams, and the impressive results are stacking up. The Bears defeated the reigning champions Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football.
Smith explained: "The Chicago Bears, as of right now, should be the favorites to win the Super Bowl. Caleb Williams is just that dude. Ben Johnson is just that dude.
"They've got the pieces around them in the passing game and the running game, plus an offensive line that does a solid job of keeping Caleb clean so he isn't getting slaughtered like he was as a rookie."
Williams has bounced back from an injury he suffered at the start of the season, and has now led the Bears to three straight victories.
Smith also pointed to the Bears' recent trade for Jeffery Simmons, who made an impact against the Bears as the unit sacked Sam Darnold three times.
He said: "Not to mention, their defense has taken another step forward, and now they've added Jeffery Simmons from Tennessee. When you look at this Bears team right now, whatever way you need them to beat you, they can deliver it."
Stephen A. Smith's complete list has the Detroit Lions at five, Denver Broncos at four, San Francisco 49ers at three, and the Buffalo Bills at two.
He added: "The Buffalo Bills to me are an elite team in the National Football League."
There is no place for the Kansas City Chiefs, who have dropped out of his top five after two successive losses.
While the Bears are number one on Stephen A. Smith's list, they do not even rank top of their own division.
The Bears 6-2 record is behind the 6-1 Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North. But the Vikings' record has been underpinned by strong defense rather than quarterback play, and their momentum could be at risk after losing 19-15 to the Lions.
Detroit are at 5-2 after the victory, putting pressure on both Minnesota and Chicago, while the Green Bay Packers are 5-3. All four teams could end up making the playoffs.
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