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NFL Power Rankings 2019: Raiders have helmet issues, Browns hype grows

By Randy Gurzi

NAPA, CA - AUGUST 05: A detail of a helmet during the Oakland Raiders Training Camp at the Napa Valley Marriott on August 5, 2009 in Napa, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
NAPA, CA - AUGUST 05: A detail of a helmet during the Oakland Raiders Training Camp at the Napa Valley Marriott on August 5, 2009 in Napa, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 08: Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears makes his way onto the field during introductions prior to a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field on August 08, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 08: Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears makes his way onto the field during introductions prior to a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field on August 08, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /

8. Chicago Bears (10)

Last season saw the Chicago Bears win the NFC North with a 12-4 record but then their year ended in the most gut-wrenching way possible as their highly-paid kicker, Cody Parkey, missed a 43-yard field goal that would have knocked off the Philadelphia Eagles in the playoffs. Instead, Chicago lost and had to feel that pain all offseason.

They also had to try and find a new kicker as they moved on from Parkey and this offseason has been odd in that department. They have had what seems like a non-stop kicking competition with players missing from the same spot Parkey did. That miss got so deep into head coach Matt Nagy’s head that he even had players auditioning by kicking from that same spot.

Even the fans are feeling the pressure as they went nuts when Elliott Fry knocked in a field goal — which came after Eddie Pineiro missed one earlier in the second quarter.

"“Fry later had the Soldier Field fans roaring with a 43-yard field goal to close the first half, the same distance and at the same post Cody Parkey struck on his double-doink to end the Bears’ 16-15 playoff loss last season to the Philadelphia Eagles.” Via The Associated Press and ESPN"

The fact that fans were this elated over a preseason kick shows how much that miss bothers them. Even with this lingering over their heads, the Bears are a good team but success will be harder to achieve with a target on their backs now.

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