Tom Brady couldn't help but recognize his own team amid an impressive start to the 2026 season. The seven-time Super Bowl champion unveiled his latest NFL power rankings on Wednesday. For the first time, the Las Vegas Raiders made his top 10.
Brady, a Raiders minority owner, defended his choice in a Fox Sports video. He quoted late Raiders owner Al Davis to justify his placement. "Listen, it’s not hometown bias by me," Brady said.
"Their plus-26 point differential is third in the league. Kirk Cousins has six touchdowns in two games. C’mon, that’s pretty impressive.
They go on the road to SoFi and beat the Chargers. Look, undefeated is undefeated. Just win, baby." Rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza has watched Cousins guide the Raiders to victories over the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers.
Brady, who began his career as Drew Bledsoe's backup on the New England Patriots, supports the No. 1 overall pick learning from the sideline as his 38-year-old teammate leads the offense. "I never mind a young quarterback sitting on that bench for a little bit and watching someone else do their job and understanding what really works and what doesn't work," Brady said. "But Kirk's having a hell of a season so far." He ranked the top-10 teams throughout the 2025 season, but Brady didn't get much opportunity to consider his 3-14 Raiders.
The color commentator has also yet to call a Raiders game for Fox, so continued success could test the 49-year-old's objectivity. The Raiders may preserve a spot in Brady's power rankings if they defeat the New Orleans Saints on the road this Sunday.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
