Tom Brady’s NFL power rankings returned for a third season this week, and the newly minted television analyst set his ground rules before unveiling his first top 10 of 2026: a team had to have won in Week 1 to qualify, the list reflects recent performance rather than potential, and any complaints should be directed to the new Fox Sports digital show “Gronk & Jules.”
Topping the list is Seattle, which opened its season by beating Super Bowl rematch opponent Pittsburgh. Brady said any team that wins the Super Bowl and then wins the rematch in its season opener deserves the No. 1 spot “no matter who is playing QB.” He also offered a tip for Steelers quarterback Drew Lock: with Sam Darnold out, target Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s side of the field.
Chicago’s Caleb Williams landed at No. 2 after the Bears hung 59 points on Carolina in Week 1. Brady said the “Caleb Williams MVP watch is under way,” praising the 300 rushing yards the team piled up and Williams’s ability to extend plays when receivers aren’t open. Head coach Ben Johnson, Brady noted, wants to build the highest-scoring offense in NFL history.
San Francisco checked in behind Chicago after routing the Rams in a nationally watched game played in Australia. Brady credited Kyle Shanahan for ignoring the travel-related noise surrounding the trip and told quarterback Brock Purdy to keep feeding the ball to Mike Evans near the end zone.
Baltimore came in next off a dominant showing from Lamar Jackson in Indianapolis under new defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. Brady said he’ll be watching how offensive coordinator Declan Doyle deploys the Ravens’ weapons, adding that the receiver depth chart will need to step up while some pieces are unavailable.
Buffalo rounded out the top five after a road win in Houston against a defense Brady called one of the league’s best last year. He said the Bills were “a dropped pick away” from falling out of the rankings entirely, but that Josh Allen and James Cook will keep moving the ball all season. Still, he noted, Bills fans remain focused on January.
The rest of the top 10
Philadelphia sits just outside the top five after starting 1-0 in the NFC East. Brady said the Eagles “knocked a little rust off” but got the job done, and that the offense could take off further once the running game — featuring Saquon Barkley and Tank Bigsby — finds its rhythm.
Kansas City checked in at No. 7 behind Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker, with Patrick Mahomes drawing praise for his return to form despite missing much of the offseason. “His leadership, discipline, tenacity — all of those things were on display,” Brady said, adding that people should “never sleep on” the Chiefs.
Jacksonville landed at No. 8 after routing Cleveland, with Brady reminding viewers the Jaguars won 13 games a year ago. He singled out head coach Liam Coen for praise.
New Orleans made the list after a game Brady said was better left unwatched by those who turned it off early, though he praised the Saints’ decision to attempt a two-point conversion to win, noting the statistical odds sit around 45 to 50 percent.
Cincinnati rounded out the top 10 after beating a Tampa Bay team Brady believed capable of pulling off an upset. “Sorry to Ja’Marr Chase and all those fantasy owners,” he said. “Trust me, you’ve got nothing to worry about.”
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