Tom Brady has joined almost everyone else in putting the San Francisco 49ers at No. 1, but his latest top 10 goes further than most. In his weekly rankings released Wednesday night, Brady said the 5-0 49ers have “distanced themselves from the field” and called the Minnesota Vikings’ defense “the early makings of an all-time defense.”
Brady’s list also has an interesting matchup in the middle. Seattle (No. 8) and Denver (No. 9) sit next to each other, and they meet on Thursday night in Denver to start Week 6.
Brady’s top 10 heading into Week 6
| Rank | Team | Record | Last week | Week 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco 49ers | 5-0 | 1 | vs. Commanders (Monday night) |
| 2 | Kansas City Chiefs | 4-0 | 2 | vs. Chargers |
| 3 | Minnesota Vikings | 5-0 | 3 | Bye |
| 4 | Buffalo Bills | 4-1 | 7 | at Raiders |
| 5 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 4-1 | 5 | vs. Texans (London) |
| 6 | Baltimore Ravens | 4-1 | 6 | at Browns |
| 7 | New England Patriots | 3-2 | Unranked | vs. Jets |
| 8 | Seattle Seahawks | 3-2 | 4 | at Broncos (Thursday night) |
| 9 | Denver Broncos | 3-2 | Unranked | vs. Seahawks (Thursday night) |
| 10 | Detroit Lions | 3-2 | Unranked | Bye |
Three teams are new to his top 10 this week: the Patriots, Broncos and Lions. Seattle took the biggest fall, from fourth to eighth, after its 32-29 home loss to San Francisco. The Bills had the biggest rise, from seventh to fourth, after the 37-34 overtime win over the Rams.
The 49ers’ case at No. 1
Brady called the win in Seattle “nothing short of a miracle” and pointed to the defense: five sacks and four takeaways in what he called the most hostile road environment in the league. San Francisco also has division wins over the Seahawks and the Rams on the road. Brady added that the rematches with both will be in Santa Clara.
He also gave a warning that fits this season. Now that the 49ers are the consensus No. 1, he said, “you better believe they’re on upset watch” when Washington visits on Monday night.
Is the Vikings’ defense historically good?
Brady spent more time on Minnesota than on any other team. He said Brian Flores’ defense has allowed three points and 12 rushing yards in the fourth quarter all season, and that Flores blitzed on more than 90 percent of snaps in the last game. His message to opposing quarterbacks was that if they don’t know their protections and their answers against pressure, the blitz is going to get home. He also said Kyler Murray and Kevin O’Connell are finally getting Justin Jefferson involved, which helps explain why the 5-0 Vikings stayed at No. 3 heading into their bye.
Bills, Jaguars and Ravens stay in the top six
Brady called Josh Allen “an eraser” for Buffalo after his 10 carries for 120 yards at SoFi, but said the defense still has “a lot of work” to do. He said the Jaguars’ defense might be the best unit in the league if not for Minnesota’s, after it held the Eagles to 22 rushing yards in London. He also singled out Parker Washington, a sixth-round pick, for how much he has grown.
Baltimore stayed sixth because Tyler Huntley and a 200-yard rushing day led by Derrick Henry got the Ravens an overtime win in Atlanta. Brady also praised kicker Tyler Loop, who has made five kicks from 50-plus yards. The Ravens’ quarterback situation could change this week. Lamar Jackson has a realistic chance to play Sunday in Cleveland, according to a report late Wednesday.
The Patriots get back in
Brady had a lot to say about New England, which jumped back into his list after a 45-17 win over the Raiders. “The sky’s falling in September and the Pats are dead in the water, until they aren’t,” he said. He said Drake Maye is throwing with confidence again and that his timing with this year’s new receivers is improving with every game. The Patriots host the Jets on Sunday.
Seahawks vs. Broncos: Nos. 8 and 9 on Thursday night
Brady called the Week 5 49ers–Seahawks game in person and said four turnovers sank Seattle. He said the defending champions are “feeling the target on their back” and that getting Zach Charbonnet back would help the running game take pressure off the defense. That help will not arrive Thursday. Seattle has ruled out Charbonnet and linebacker Drake Thomas for the trip to Denver, and Tyrice Knight is expected to start in Thomas’ place.
Brady called Denver “the biggest question mark of the NFL season so far” after a brutal early schedule. He said the defense is doing its job, but Bo Nix and the offense have to start pushing the ball down the field. The Broncos will also be without safety Talanoa Hufanga, who is expected to miss multiple weeks with an ankle injury. The winner Thursday will probably climb several spots in next week’s rankings. The loser could fall out of Brady’s top 10.
Lions round out the list
Detroit is No. 10 after a 45-21 win in Arizona. Brady called the Lions possibly “the most fun team in football” for a neutral fan, gave Jared Goff and the league’s highest-scoring offense credit, and said the defense is still a worry. The Lions and Vikings are both on bye in Week 6.
For how Brady’s list compares with the other major Week 6 rankings, see our Week 6 power rankings roundup.
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