Tom Brady has unveiled his third season of NFL power rankings, establishing a set of criteria for Week 1: teams must have secured a victory, and the rankings will focus on recent performance rather than past achievements.
Brady's top-ranked team for Week 1 is the Seattle Seahawks, who defeated the reigning Super Bowl champions in their season opener. "To be the champ, you've gotta beat the champ," Brady stated, emphasizing the importance of their victory. He also noted that the Seahawks' defense has not missed a beat and offered a tactical observation for quarterback Drew Lock: "As long as Sam [Darnold’s] out, throw it anywhere on JSN’s (Jaxon Smith-Njigba) side of the field; he’s going to come down with it."
The Chicago Bears secured the second spot in Brady's rankings, with an MVP watch beginning for quarterback Caleb Williams after their 59-point Week 1 performance against Carolina. Brady commented on the team's offensive prowess, noting, "They make it look easy — 300 yards rushing, Caleb does his thing and when guys aren’t open, he scrambles. When they get that offense rolling, it’s hard to stop."
The San Francisco 49ers are ranked third. Brady acknowledged the attention surrounding their Week 1 game in Australia but praised the team for "tuning out a lot of the B.S., a lot of the noise and doing what they do: dominate a great Rams team Down Under." He also advised quarterback Brock Purdy to continue throwing to Mike Evans.
The Baltimore Ravens, under new head coach Jesse Minter, landed at number four. Brady highlighted Lamar Jackson's performance and expressed interest in offensive coordinator Declan Doyle's strategy. He suggested the Ravens should be excited despite potential depth chart issues at receiver.
At number five are the Buffalo Bills, who secured a significant win against Houston. Brady noted that while there are arguments for Buffalo to be ranked higher, a dropped pass nearly impacted their standing. He acknowledged the offensive capabilities of Josh Allen and James Cook but pointed to the fans' long-standing anticipation for a Super Bowl.
The Kansas City Chiefs are ranked seventh. Brady suggested that Patrick Mahomes is "back to" his usual form, citing his leadership, discipline, and tenacity on display. He believes the team, with its championship standards, is a force to be reckoned with, stating, "Never count them out."
The Philadelphia Eagles are positioned just outside the top five, at number six. Brady observed they "knocked a little rust off" but "took care of business." He praised their ability to start fast and their strong defense, suggesting they will improve once their run game becomes more consistent.
The Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, and Jacksonville Jaguars round out Brady's initial top 10, all starting their season with 1-0 records. Brady expressed confidence in the Bengals' win over the Buccaneers and noted the Lions' brave decision to go for two in their victory. He also highlighted the Jaguars' strong performance against Cleveland and mentioned Liam Coen's impressive coaching.