NFL Power Rankings: SB Nation Drops Chicago Bears To No. 24 At Season's End

The 2011-12 NFL regular season did not end the way the Chicago Bears had hoped, with the team at home spectating for the playoffs, and so it is only fair the team takes one final hit in the NFL Power Rankings on SB Nation before the book is closed. SB Nation's Joel Thorman created final power rankings for 2011-12, and he moved the Bears down to No. 24 overall -- just barely above the lowest quartile of the league.

As for the rest of the NFC North, the Green Bay Packers started the season at No. 1 and finished at No. 1 as well, the Detroit Lions closed out at No. 9 and the disappointing Minnesota Vikings left their mark at No. 29. Two top-ten finishers and the number one overall team in the NFL puts a stamp on a fairly successful season for the division at-large.

Here is what Thorman had to say about the final resting place for the 2011-12 Chicago Bears:

24. Chicago Bears (8-8, LW: 23): The lesson for the Bears and several other teams this year? Get a backup quarterback. A good one. It's worth the investment.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Chicago Bears be sure to visit Windy City Gridiron. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.