Tom Brady Releases Week 1 NFL Power Rankings: Caleb Williams MVP Case Builds; Chiefs Send Strong Message

Tom Brady’s power rankings are back for a third consecutive season. Before unveiling his first top-10 of the new campaign, the GOAT lays down the ground rules.

Rule one: You had to win in Week 1 to make this week’s list. Rule two: These rankings reflect what you’ve done recently, not your potential. Simple as that.

With that established, here’s Brady’s first top-10 of the 2026 NFL season.

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Brady’s thoughts: A solid win over a formidable Buccaneers squad. Cincinnati proved they belong in the conversation early.

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Brady’s thoughts: If you tuned out early, you might wonder why Detroit isn’t ranked higher. The full story tells a different tale.

I admire the bravery of teams going for two to secure a win. Statistically, it’s roughly a 45/50 proposition. Sometimes you let the other team earn it. But on the road against quality opposition, going for broke makes sense.

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Brady’s thoughts: Jacksonville at No. 8 after dominating Cleveland — that’s the team people forgot about last season. Thirteen wins doesn’t happen by accident. Liam Coen is doing something right.

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Brady’s thoughts: Kenneth Walker is your Super Bowl LX MVP candidate, and the Chiefs sit at No. 7. Patrick Mahomes — are you kidding? He could contribute offensively as well. He wasn’t shying away from contact Monday night, that’s for sure.

In many ways, he’s back to being Patrick Mahomes. The leadership, the discipline, the tenacity — all on display. He’ll gain momentum. He’s missed significant football, much of the offseason. But never count out No. 15 for the Chiefs.

Why would we write them off? You never write off the Chiefs.

Great coach, elite quarterback, an organization with championship pedigree — that’s a dangerous combination.

Tom Brady is bullish on the Kenneth Walker-Patrick Mahomes pairing. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)

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Brady’s thoughts: KB and I were on the call in Philadelphia, and the Eagles are knocking on the top-five door. They shook off some rust and handled business, starting 1-0 in the division.

They know how to start fast. Defense has always been their strength. Once the running game clicks — with Saquon Barkley and Tank Bigsby — they’ll make the explosive plays that defined their championship run.

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Brady’s thoughts: In the top five, there’s plenty of shuffling room, but remember — my rankings are always the right ones.

Buffalo starts at No. 5 after a huge road win in Houston. The Texans boasted one of the league’s best defenses last year, and plenty will argue Buffalo deserves the top spot. One dropped pass kept them off the list entirely. Josh Allen and James Cook will move the ball all season. Bills fans craving January — who can blame them?

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Brady’s thoughts: Another new head coach in Jesse Minter. Lamar Jackson was dominant in Indianapolis. Minter was brought in to shore up the defense, but I’ll be watching offensive coordinator Declan Doyle and what he does with the weapons at his disposal — it looked promising.

The receiver depth chart needs to step up in the coming weeks. But Baltimore fans — get excited.

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Brady’s thoughts: We now have the definitive guide on traveling to Australia, apparently. More conversation about that than the game itself. Hats off to the Niners and Kyle Shanahan for tuning out the noise and doing what they do best — dominating a strong Rams team Down Under.

Brock Purdy — quick advice: keep throwing to Mike Evans. He’s exceptional at catching the ball, especially near the end zone.

Mike Evans logged a touchdown grab in his 49ers debut. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

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Brady’s thoughts: The Caleb Williams MVP watch is officially underway. Fifty-nine points on Carolina in Week 1. Ben Johnson wants the highest-scoring offense ever. But what about some defense when they return to Chicago? Or forget it — keep scoring 59. I’m an offensive guy, either way works.

They make it look effortless — 300 yards rushing, Caleb doing his thing, and when receivers aren’t open, he scrambles. Once that offense gets rolling, it’s nearly impossible to stop. I saw it last year. I’ll see it again this year.

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Brady’s thoughts: To be the champion, you have to beat the champion. Win the Super Bowl and then win the rematch in Week 1 — I don’t care who’s under center, you belong at the top. The defense hasn’t missed a beat. And one more QB tip for Drew Lock: as long as Sam Darnold is out, throw it anywhere near Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s side of the field — he’ll come down with it.

Tom Brady’s Week 1 NFL Power Rankings

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