Last week Tom Brady hinted that the Chicago Bears could leap from No. 6 to No. 1 in his power rankings if they beat the Seattle Seahawks — and that was before they added All‑Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons to the mix.
The Bears made it easy for him to follow through. Chicago shut out the Seahawks’ home crowd with a 34-17 win as Caleb Williams, D’Andre Swift and Simmons all made big contributions. Still, other contenders — notably Buffalo and Denver — also had statement wins in Week 8, and Minnesota’s first loss of the season has intensified the conversation over who deserves the top spot.
Here are Brady’s top 10, rewritten:
10. Pittsburgh Steelers — Record 6-2 (previously unranked; ↑)
– Week 8: 27-6 win vs. Cleveland Browns
– Brady’s take: He picked a provisional leader out of the muddled AFC North and gave the Steelers a spot in the top ten after a dominant defensive performance in Cleveland and an offense that controlled the game. Aaron Rodgers has adapted impressively to playing in the pocket and continues to protect the ball; the Steelers head into their bye with momentum.
9. Kansas City Chiefs — Record 5-2 (previously No. 4; ↓)
– Week 8: 28-24 loss at Denver Broncos
– Brady’s take: Two consecutive defeats have knocked the Chiefs down the list. Kansas City led into the fourth quarter but stalled, and costly penalties were a factor. Still, Patrick Mahomes looked like himself with three TDs and no interceptions; clean up the penalties and the offense will rebound ahead of a visit from the Jets.
8. New England Patriots — Record 5-3 (previously No. 9; ↑)
– Week 8: 24-19 win at Miami Dolphins
– Brady’s take: New England erased a double-digit halftime deficit with three straight touchdowns to take the game. Brady praised the quarterback’s efficient performance — two passing TDs and a rushing score — and credited Mike Vrabel for steadying the team through chaotic South Florida weather. Next up: Green Bay at Gillette.
7. Minnesota Vikings — Record 6-1 (previously No. 1; ↓)
– Week 8: 19-15 loss at Detroit Lions
– Brady’s take: Minnesota’s unbeaten streak ended as they couldn’t contain Detroit’s running game in the second half or put together a late TD drive. Despite the setback they still boast one of the stingiest defenses and will have a chance to bounce back against the Bills on Monday night. Brady doesn’t think they should bench Kyler Murray, noting his ball security and ability to create plays outside the pocket; giving more downfield opportunities to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison could ease some pressure.
6. Detroit Lions — Record 5-2 (previously No. 8; ↑)
– Week 8: 19-15 win vs. Minnesota Vikings
– Brady’s take: Detroit moved ahead of Minnesota in the rankings thanks to a head-to-head victory in which the Lions rushed for over 200 yards and Jared Goff connected with Jameson Williams for the decisive touchdown. With that win, Detroit has now reeled off three straight and the NFC North looks set for intense rivalries down the stretch.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars — Record 5-2 (previously No. 10; ↑)
– Week 8: 42-7 win vs. Indianapolis Colts
– Brady’s take: The Jaguars blew out the Colts and had the contest sealed by halftime. Brian Thomas Jr. rebounded from a recent benching to score, and the defense returned an interception for a long TD. Jacksonville holds a three‑game divisional lead and can widen it in a Thursday matchup at Baltimore.
4. Denver Broncos — Record 6-2 (previously No. 6; ↑)
– Week 8: 28-24 win vs. Kansas City Chiefs
– Brady’s take: While critics have questioned Bo Nix’s ability to push the ball downfield, Denver keeps winning. After the defense made key stops down the stretch, Nix delivered two go‑ahead TDs late. The Broncos have four straight victories, remain undefeated at home, and own first place in the AFC West.
3. San Francisco 49ers — Record 6-1 (previously No. 2; ↓)
– Week 8: Bye
– Brady’s take: The 49ers used their bye week after a rough outing in Atlanta and added DeForest Buckner back to the roster. They’re still 6-1, tied with Minnesota for the top NFC record, and remain in control of the NFC West.
2. Buffalo Bills — Record 6-1 (previously No. 3; ↑)
– Week 8: 36-10 win vs. Baltimore Ravens
– Brady’s take: Buffalo’s defense shined against Baltimore, a game that saw Lamar Jackson exit after one play and gave the Bills a chance to build confidence against backup QBs. Josh Allen is already pacing the league with 20 total touchdowns, and Buffalo leads the NFL in scoring. Brady considered putting them at No. 1 but ultimately went in a different direction. Up next: a Monday night trip to Minnesota.
1. Chicago Bears — Record 6-2 (previously No. 5; ↑)
– Week 8: 34-17 win at Seattle Seahawks
– Brady’s take: True to his tease, Brady elevated Chicago to No. 1 after they handled business in Seattle. D’Andre Swift had three rushing TDs, the Bears answered when Seattle threatened late, and the addition of Jeffery Simmons gives their defense a new anchor. Brady emphasized that power rankings reflect momentum and feel as much as standings, and he’s intrigued to see how Caleb Williams and the team respond to the increased expectations. Next: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Fan Take: This shakeup highlights how quickly the NFL landscape can change — a single big win, a key acquisition, or a surprise loss can flip perceptions overnight. For fans, it means every week matters and the playoff picture remains wide open, keeping the season unpredictable and exciting.
Source: www.foxsports.com
