Tom Brady's NFL power rankings are back for another season, and his first list of 2026 is based entirely on what teams showed in Week 1.

Only teams that won their opening game made the cut, with recent performances carrying more weight than preseason expectations.

10. Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals opened the season with a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, giving Brady enough to put them at No. 10 in his first ranking.

Brady highlighted Cincinnati's victory over a Tampa Bay team he expected to make a strong start. He also had a message for Ja’Marr Chase fantasy owners after the opening-week result, Brady stated on Fox Sports.

The Bengals finished Week 1 with a 1-0 record and entered Brady's list as a new addition.

9. Detroit Lions

Detroit also starts the season 1-0, but the path to that win made the Lions a talking point for Brady.

Brady acknowledged that some viewers may wonder why Detroit was only ninth. He also discussed the decision to go for two late in the game, noting that teams sometimes have to take their chances, particularly on the road against a good opponent.

The Lions' Week 1 result was enough to keep them in Brady's top 10 despite the way the game unfolded.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars made a statement in their opener, scoring heavily against Cleveland and earning the No. 8 spot.

Brady pointed back to Jacksonville's 13-win season from last year and said the team deserves attention again. He also singled out head coach Liam Coen after the Week 1 performance.

Jacksonville enters Week 2 at 1-0, giving Brady an early reason to keep watching the team.

7. Kansas City Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are back in Brady's top 10 after opening the season with a 31-10 win over Denver. Kansas City landed at No. 7, while Kenneth Walker III also received plenty of attention after his huge debut.

Brady focused on Mahomes' return and the way the quarterback played after missing time. He pointed to Mahomes' leadership, discipline and tenacity before making his message clear.

“Why are we counting them out? Never count them out,” Brady added.

Mahomes finished with three total touchdowns, while Walker rushed for 173 yards and a touchdown. Brady also noted the importance of having a great quarterback, coach and championship-minded organization together.

6. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles handled their opening game and started 1-0 in the NFC East, putting them just outside Brady's top five.

Brady said Philadelphia knocked off some early rust and pointed to the team's defense and explosive plays. He also mentioned Saquon Barkley and Tank Bigsby as part of an offense that still has room to improve its running game.

The Eagles remain one of the teams Brady is watching as Week 2 begins.

5. Buffalo Bills

Buffalo earned its place in Brady's top five after beating Houston in Week 1. The Bills started 1-0 after facing one of the defenses Brady considered among the league's best last season.

Brady said the top five could be shuffled but gave Buffalo the No. 5 spot. He highlighted Josh Allen and James Cook while noting that Buffalo's opening win was a significant one.

The Bills' Week 1 victory came on the road against Houston, giving them an early result Brady considered worthy of a top-five position.

4. Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore's offense made an immediate impression in Week 1, with Lamar Jackson leading the way in a dominant win over Indianapolis.

Brady placed the Ravens fourth and pointed to Jackson's performance while also watching how new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle works with the team's weapons. He also mentioned new defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.

Jackson threw for 324 yards and a touchdown while adding a rushing score. Brady noted that Baltimore could need its receiver depth to step up in the coming weeks.

3. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers jumped into Brady's top three after beating the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL's first regular-season game in Australia.

Brady praised San Francisco and Kyle Shanahan for staying focused despite the attention surrounding the overseas matchup. He also highlighted Brock Purdy's connection with new teammate Mike Evans.

San Francisco opened 1-0 after defeating the Rams, while Evans scored a touchdown in his 49ers debut.

2. Chicago Bears

The Bears landed at No. 2 after putting up 59 points against Carolina in Week 1. That performance also started Brady's early conversation around Caleb Williams and the MVP race.

Brady said, “The Caleb Williams MVP watch is underway,” while also praising the way Chicago's offense moved the ball. He pointed to the team's rushing production and Williams' ability to create plays when receivers are covered.

Chicago rushed for 300 yards in the opener, while Williams added his own production through the air and on the ground. Brady believes the offense could remain one of the biggest stories to watch as the season continues.

1. Seattle Seahawks

The defending Super Bowl champions opened the season with another win over the Patriots, this time in the Super Bowl rematch. That was enough for Brady to put Seattle at No. 1.

Brady's reasoning was straightforward: Seattle won the Super Bowl and then won the first game of the following season against the same opponent. He also praised the defense for continuing to perform at a high level.

“I don’t care, to be the champ, you’ve gotta beat the champ,” Brady said.

Seattle began the season 1-0, while the team also had to deal with Sam Darnold's absence after his Week 1 injury. Brady pointed to Jaxon Smith-Njigba as a key target for Drew Lock while Darnold is out.

Week 2 now gives all 10 teams another chance to back up their strong starts and climb even higher.

Written by

Debanjali Rakshit