1. Seattle Seahawks
Week 1: Seahawks 13, Patriots 10
Seattle stays on top of EST Elite after opening the season with a 13–10 win over New England. It wasn’t always pretty, but the Seahawks showed exactly why they entered the year at No. 1, leaning on a dominant defense when the offense wasn’t at its best. Great teams find different ways to win, and Seattle showed it can survive an imperfect offensive performance without losing control of a game.
2. Buffalo Bills ↑1
Week 1: Bills 36, Texans 31
Buffalo moves up one spot after an impressive 36–31 road win over Houston. Going into Houston and beating one of the most talented teams in football is an excellent way to start the season. The Bills looked capable of winning a tough game against another contender, and they did nothing in Week 1 to make us question their place among the NFL’s elite.
3. San Francisco 49ers ↑4
Week 1: 49ers 27, Rams 7
The 49ers make one of the biggest jumps this week after dismantling the Rams 27–7 in Australia. San Francisco controlled the matchup and showed that when this roster is clicking, it remains one of the most dangerous teams in football. Moving up four spots might look aggressive after one week, but EST Elite rewards what happens on the field, and the 49ers earned every bit of this jump.
4. Chicago Bears ↑5
Week 1: Bears 59, Panthers 37
Chicago shoots up five spots after hanging an absurd 59 points on Carolina. Yes, giving up 37 points leaves plenty for the defense to clean up, but an offense putting up nearly 60 points simply cannot be ignored. One game does not make a season, but Chicago looked explosive enough offensively to give anybody problems.
5. Kansas City Chiefs — NEW
Week 1: Chiefs 31, Broncos 10
Welcome back to EST Elite, Kansas City. The Chiefs earn their way into the Top 10 after a dominant 31–10 win over Denver, and this wasn’t simply the Patrick Mahomes show. Kansas City controlled the game defensively, established the run and looked like a much more complete football team. If this is the version of the Chiefs we are getting this season, they won’t be leaving EST Elite anytime soon.
6. Baltimore Ravens — NEW
Week 1: Ravens 41, Colts 23
Baltimore joins EST Elite after making a statement with a 41–23 win over Indianapolis. The Ravens showed the physicality and explosiveness that can make them one of the most dangerous teams in football when everything comes together. Now the challenge is turning one dominant performance into consistency, but this was more than enough to earn them a spot in the Top 10.
7. Houston Texans ↓3
Week 1: Texans 31, Bills 36
Houston falls three spots after losing 36–31 at home to Buffalo, but there is no reason to panic. The Texans still put 31 points on one of the NFL’s best teams and remained competitive throughout the game. They have more than enough talent to climb right back up, but rankings have to reflect results, and losing at home means giving way to teams that made stronger Week 1 statements.
8. Philadelphia Eagles =
Week 1: Eagles 24, Commanders 22
Philadelphia stays exactly where it was last week after escaping with a 24–22 win over Washington. A win is a win, but the Eagles didn’t do enough to justify moving them above teams that delivered much stronger opening-week performances. Holding steady at No. 8 is hardly an insult; Philadelphia simply needs to show us more before climbing.
9. Los Angeles Rams ↓7
Week 1: Rams 7, 49ers 27
No team takes a bigger hit this week than the Rams, who tumble seven spots after getting handled 27–7 by San Francisco. Los Angeles entered the season with massive expectations, but expectations do not protect you in EST Elite. To make matters worse, reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett is now on injured reserve following knee surgery and will miss at least four games. The Rams still have a loaded roster, but a blowout loss combined with losing one of the best defensive players in football creates legitimate early concerns.
10. Detroit Lions — NEW
Detroit barely survived, but surviving counts. The Lions built a 21–0 lead against New Orleans before watching the Saints storm all the way back and force overtime. Detroit ultimately escaped 31–30, powered by a monster performance from Jahmyr Gibbs, who finished with 186 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns. There are absolutely things to clean up, particularly after allowing New Orleans back into the game, but Detroit showed enough in Week 1 to earn the final spot in the EST Elite.
Stay Tuned for Week 2
Stay tuned for our Week 2 NFL Picks tomorrow as we look to build on a strong opening week!
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Thanks for reading, and we’ll see you tomorrow for the Week 2 picks! 🏈👑.
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