Tom Brady has placed the Chicago Bears at the top of his latest NFL power rankings following their Week 8 victory against the Seattle Seahawks. The Bears secured a 34-17 win on the road, with quarterback Caleb Williams, running back D'Andre Swift, and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons all delivering strong performances.
Brady's decision to rank the Bears No. 1 fulfills a promise he made the previous week, where he suggested the team could ascend to the top spot with a win over Seattle. "I'm a man of my word," Brady stated. "The Bears went into Seattle on Monday night and handled their business."
Despite the Bears' strong showing, other top teams also earned impressive victories. The Buffalo Bills, who Brady had previously considered for the No. 1 spot, secured a decisive 36-10 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Quarterback Josh Allen has reached 20 total touchdowns for the season, and the Bills continue to lead the league in scoring.
Brady also acknowledged the San Francisco 49ers, who were idle in Week 8 but remained tied for the best record in the NFC at 6-1. He noted the return of defensive lineman DeForest Buckner as a positive boost.
The Denver Broncos also earned a spot in Brady's top tier after their 28-24 comeback victory against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Broncos have now won four consecutive games and are unbeaten at home, demonstrating a knack for winning close contests. Quarterback Bo Nix has been particularly effective in fourth-quarter comebacks.
Other teams mentioned in Brady's rankings include the Pittsburgh Steelers, who extended their winning streak to four games with a 27-6 victory over the Cleveland Browns. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been praised for his play from the pocket. The Detroit Lions moved up after defeating the previously unbeaten Minnesota Vikings 19-15, highlighting a potential strong divisional race in the NFC North.
The Kansas City Chiefs dropped in the rankings after a 28-24 loss to the Broncos, with penalties cited as a factor. However, Patrick Mahomes still showed flashes of his usual form.
The New England Patriots made a comeback victory against the Miami Dolphins, with rookie quarterback Drake Maye showing efficiency. Brady also mentioned his upcoming return to New England for a reunion of the 2016 team and Gronk's induction ceremony.
The Minnesota Vikings suffered their first loss of the season to the Lions, ending their unbeaten run. Brady commented on quarterback Kyler Murray's performance and the need for the Vikings to connect on downfield passes to their receivers.