Brady's Bold Power Rankings: Chiefs Are Back, Bears Lead the Way

Brady's Take on the 2026 NFL Season

As we dive into the new NFL season, I'm thrilled to announce that Tom Brady's power rankings are back for a third season. Before I reveal my top-10 picks, let me lay down some ground rules that have always guided my approach: first, teams must have won their Week 1 game to make the list; second, it's all about what you've done recently, not just potential; and third, if you're not happy with my rankings, direct your complaints to the new FOX Sports digital show "Gronk & Jules."

"I always felt like when you've got a great coach and you've got a great QB, and that organization has championship standards... watch out, man."

This season's rankings are as dynamic as ever, with teams making bold moves and players stepping up in unexpected ways. Let's break down my top picks and what makes each team worthy of their position.

#10 Cincinnati Bengals: A Strong Start to the Season

Let's start with a surprising team that showed they can compete at the highest level. The Bengals defeated a very good Buccaneers team, and I have to say, I was expecting that Bucs team to upset some people in Cincy.

Ja'Marr Chase and fantasy owners, don't panic — this is just the beginning. Trust me, you've got nothing to worry about with this roster. They're going to be a major force in the AFC.

#9 Detroit Lions: A Bold Move That Paid Off

The Lions made headlines by going for 2 in their Week 1 game against a tough opponent. If you turned this one off early, you might have been wondering why they're not higher up on the list.

But don't count out these Lions. They've shown that they're willing to take risks and play with a high level of aggression. That's exactly what you want from a team that wants to compete for a championship.

#8 Jacksonville Jaguars: A Surprising Rise

At No. 8, the Jaguars made a statement by running it up against Cleveland. That's something many people overlooked last season — they were one of the better teams in the league with 13 wins.

I was really impressed with Liam Coen's performance this season. Keep it up, Coen — you're showing why you deserve a starting job on this team.

#7 Kansas City Chiefs: Back to Their Glory Days

And now we have the Chiefs at No. 7. This isn't just about their Week 1 win — it's about the return of Kenneth Walker and Patrick Mahomes.

Mahomes, are you kidding me? He might be able to contribute something to this offense as well. I'm sure he wasn't avoiding any contact on Monday night — that's just not his style.

He's back to being the dominant quarterback we've come to expect from him. His leadership, discipline, and tenacity were all on display. The Chiefs are going to pick up steam, especially with Mahomes back in full swing after missing so much football and the offseason.

"Never count them out. Watch out, man."

I've always believed that when you have a great coach and a great QB, with championship standards set by the organization, watch out — these teams are going to be tough to beat.

#6 Philadelphia Eagles: Making Waves in the Division

The Eagles were one of my early picks for this top five. They knocked off some rust and took care of business, starting 1-0 in their division.

They know how to start fast — they're always going to play great defense. Once they figure out how to run the ball a little bit better, they've got explosive weapons like Saquon Barkley and Tank Bigsby back on the roster. That's exactly the formula that set them up for success in previous years.

#5 Buffalo Bills: A Championship-Caliber Team

Buffalo sits at No. 5, and it's a huge win over Houston. Houston had one of the best defenses in the league last year, so that's not easy to accomplish.

There will be arguments to put Buffalo at the top of the list, but they were just a dropped pick away from not even being ranked. We know Josh Allen and James Cook — they're going to move the ball all year long. But those Bills fans are already dreaming about January. Who can blame them?

#4 Baltimore Ravens: A New Era Begins

Another team with a new head coach, Jesse Minter. Lamar Jackson dominated in Indy, and they brought in Minter for this defense.

I'll be watching the offensive coordinator, Declan Doyle, and what he does with the weapons on this offense. It looked pretty good the other night. They'll need the depth chart to step up at receiver for a few weeks, but Baltimore fans — guess what? You should be excited.

#3 San Francisco 49ers: Dominating Overseas

The 49ers have taken their game to another level. We now have the definitive guide on how to travel to Australia, right?

I think people talked more about that than the actual game this past week. Hats off to Kyle Shanahan and the Niners for tuning out all the noise and dominating a great Rams team Down Under.

Brock Purdy, quick word of advice: Keep throwing it to Mike Evans. He's really good at catching the football, especially when you get close to the end zone.

#2 Chicago Bears: The New Offensive Force

At No. 2, we have the Bears, and I've got a feeling that the Caleb Williams MVP watch is officially underway. They put up 59 points on Carolina in Week 1 — that's a sight to behold.

Ben Johnson wants the highest-scoring offense ever, and honestly, they're going to get it. When you've got 300 yards rushing and Caleb doing his thing, you're going to see explosive plays all season long. That's what I saw last year, and I know we're going to see it again this year.

#1 Seattle Seahawks: Reigning Champions Still in the Mix

And finally, we have the Seattle Seahawks at No. 1. To be the champion, you've got to beat the champion. When you win the Super Bowl and then the Super Bowl rematch in the first game back, I don't care who is playing QB — you've got to get the top spot.

The defense hasn't skipped a beat, and I've got another secret QB hack for 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.

"I don't care who is playing QB, you've got to get the top spot."

The Seahawks' defense is still strong, and their offensive capabilities have only gotten better. With a new coaching staff and some fresh talent, they're going to be one of the most formidable teams in the league this season.