Two weeks ago Tom Brady praised the “great offensive identity,” of the Chiefs as they went 8-0 up in their quest for a three-peat. The Chiefs had been getting the job done without being at their best every time, leading many to label them as favorites for more Super Bowl glory. However, following their first defeat of the season at the hands of AFC rivals Buffalo Bills. While they will look to bounce back, they have gone down Tom Brady’s Power Rankings.

In a battle of AFC contenders, the Bills humbled the Super Bowl champions 30-21, to end their 9-game winning start to the season. Still, one defeat won’t change the perception of a strong Chiefs side and they will be eager to get back on track against the Panthers. And Brady believes their opponents better watch out for Patrick Mahomes and Co.

Sharing his NFL Power Rankings on NFL on Fox on Instagram, Brady demoted the Chiefs from their top spot to third in the rankings. The former QB stated, “They lost their undefeated season when it came to an end in Buffalo on Sunday. But I have no doubt Patrick and the Chiefs will get back to their winning ways…but I feel good about Kansas City bouncing back this week when they take on the Panthers. I am going to be watching.” The Bills came in at number 2 following their stunning win, and for the top spot, Brady had a surprise pick.

Brady said, “We have a new number 1 for the first time all season. I can’t believe I’m saying this, it’s the Detroit Lions. Actually, after watching them, I can believe I’m saying it. They won their 8th straight game. They put up 52 points for the second time this season. What a bounce-back game from Jared Goff and the Lions offense.” If this was not enough, Brady went a step further to say something that won’t sit well with the Chiefs fans.

“Detriot is now favorite to win Super Bowl 59. Let’s see if they can stay hot on the road against the Colts this week,” he added. After holding the rank 1 for ten weeks in a row, the defending champions have fallen to rank 3. Is it a fair assessment or is Brady being a little too harsh? Well, the Lions sit at the top of the NFC North and have grown to be one of the formidable sides this season.

They might have rightfully earned their place at the top of Brady’s rankings after thrashing the Jaguars 52-0, but does it make them the Super Bowl favorite over the two-time defending champions?

It would be foolhardy to think that the Chiefs won’t be competing for the big prize come post-season. They have shown in the past how they can turn into an unstoppable juggernaut once the postseason kicks in and given how things have gone in the last two seasons it will be hard to bet against them. They went 9-0 despite many shortcomings and once the likes of Kelce kick into another gear, it will be hard to stop them. Yet, that is not how Brady sees things at the moment. In fact, even the betting odds favor the Lions.

After last week’s action, the Detroit Lions (+310) are the favorite to lift the Lombardi Trophy. The Chiefs still rank very highly and are placed second with the odds of +450 to win the Super Bowl. Meanwhile, the defeat against the Bills wasn’t the only blow to Patrick Mahomes.

Mahomes fined heavily by the NFL following the Bills game

In the fourth quarter against the Bills, the Chiefs quarterback used his fingers to mimic shooting a gun, after throwing a fourth-quarter touchdown pass to tight end Noah Gray. Hence, the NFL fined him a sum of $14,069 for the “violent gesture.” Such actions are considered unsportsmanlike and are liable to be punished.

However, it could be the least of Mahomes’s worries at the moment. The focus would be on getting back to winning ways against the Panthers  at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte in Week 12. Perhaps a resounding win for Andy Reid’s team would once again see them being tagged favorites and prove that the loss against the Bills was a minor blip.

It appears that the NFL has taken an exciting turn. Well, only time will tell who will lift the Lombardi this season. But what’s your pick: Chiefs or Lions?