Tom Brady Says Bucs Are Best In The NFL; Ndamukong Suh Disagrees

October 15th, 2025

Ndamukong Suh

BSPN says the Bucs are the best team in the NFL. ProFootballTalk.com ranks Tampa Bay the same way.

Tom Brady told his FOX audience that it’s simply undeniable; the Bucs deserve the top spot.

“At No. 1, yeah, that’s right; it’s shake and Bake time in Tampa,” Brady said while breaking down his 10 best NFL teams. “This whole top-10 [in the NFL] list could be shuffled in a lot of ways. But the one thing you can’t argue is the Bucs are deserving of the top spot.”

Yes, there is an argument, Tommy. Your old teammate thinks you’re wrong.

Retired Bucs defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh told his Sky Sports audience that the Bucs still have a ways to go to rule the NFL.

“Yes, I think they’re the real deal. Do I believe they’re the No. 1 team in the NFC team at this moment? No,” Suh said of Tampa Bay. “I think they win their division; I think they’re a top-3 team in the NFC.”

Gee, thanks, Suh — a top-3 NFC team.

How good are the Bucs? That question will be answered, in part, Monday night in Detroit.

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56 Responses to “Tom Brady Says Bucs Are Best In The NFL; Ndamukong Suh Disagrees”

  1. AMI_Chris Says:

    It is just so surreal to have multiple sources ranking the Bucs as #1 in the NFL. Even when they won the Super Bowl, they did it as a wild card team…an underdog. It’s wild!

  2. Stuck Says:

    Like baker said – it’s week 6, we appreciate the support and the recognition, but we’re just getting started. They still have work to do….

  3. Demete Says:

    He’s not wrong.

  4. UGotRobbed Says:

    With so many guys down, not sure it’s fair to judge them by the results from the MNF game (if they lose)!? Let’s wait until they get healthy 🤞
    before making that call. Now if they go to Detroit and win, I would say yes, best team in the NFL!
    BEAT THE LIONS!!

  5. Call JL Says:

    He’s right they aren’t #1. Need a stronger edge presence.we created pressure for 1 game. Need it every week. Make a deal to solidify the edge room.

  6. Cybersecurity_intern Says:

    Number 1 should be Mayfield not the Bucs, we have a long way to be number 1.

  7. Lt. Dan Says:

    Can’t put the Bucs at #1 until they fix that defense.

  8. JohnQCitizen Says:

    And special teams.

  9. Kayla Says:

    All this Number 1 ranked team, MVP, ROY, and Coach of the Year talk is pure rat poison, as Baker said. I hope all his teammates feel the same. They’ve accomplished nothing yet. And they are likely to lose Monday night all that chatter can stop. But get to 6-2 at the bye and get some damn players back from injury sets them up to have a truly special this season.

  10. JustOneGame Says:

    A win in Detroit this Monday night will change Suhs mind, Go Bucs!

  11. KABucs Says:

    They have a number one roster plus know how to win, but with all the injuries they we’ll have issues keeping that number one top spot. Need to get some of these receivers back along with Goedeke and Bucky and McCollum.

  12. Hodad Says:

    Rat poison.

  13. It's Corn Says:

    They need to start dominating teams, not just squeak by. It’s been a flip of the coin in all 6 games they’ve played… 5 went their way, 1 didn’t. But it could just as easily be 1 and 5.

    Take it easy believing all the hype right now.

  14. buc4evr Says:

    I don’t like the ranking at all. I would rather be 5-1 and have nobody notice. Maybe ranked like 10th, the lower the better. When you are number 1, there is only one place to go and that’s down. Want the Bucs to peak in the playoffs. Hope the players are not paying attention to this ranking BS.

  15. Billy Bucco Says:

    A couple years ago KC went like 15-2 And won the SB.
    Never really went down.

    And no team gets sacks like that every week, let’s be realistic.

  16. 1sparkybuc Says:

    I don’t mean to argue with the experts, but to rank the Bucs #1 when we’re missing the top four WRs, the top RB, and the right side of the OL, seems a bit presumptuous, and that’s not even addressing the defense at all. Clearly we have the best QB in the league, and I view Baker as an upgrade over Brady. Brady wasn’t focused on football his last year with the Bucs. He quit. I can’t imagine Baker ever being distracted. He is dedicated, and he is the reason the Bucs are ranked #1. I can’t wait to see this team healthy.

  17. Irish Laughter Says:

    The Bucs will win the Super Bowl Hands Down! There is no team even close to them right now. Baker is the best QB, the roster is the best, and the coaches are the best. How can we lose? Keeping real in Ireland.

  18. HC Grover Says:

    If they keep winning Brady is right.

  19. Smarter than Joe Says:

    5-1 IS FREAKING AWESOME!!!!!

    Especially with the injuries and ABSOLUTELY AWFUL PASS DEFENSE

    But it’s a long season and with Todd Blows history of ignoring pass defense when this team still is set to play Josh Allen, Goff, Stafford, Drake Maye we can’t be overly confident as this team offers little resistance to the forward pass

    Injuries and pass defense will limit this team

  20. Allen Lofton Says:

    I think he’s right the Bucs are a top 3 team in the NFC. Remember the Bucs are missing several key players and are #1 in the NFC.

    If they get most of them back after the bye week and show dominance then they would be the number 1 team. So I agree with Shu

  21. Tye Says:

    The Bucs pitiful defense is what keeps them out of that spot…

  22. Geno711 Says:

    The pass defense has been questionable but not last week.

    San Fran dropped back to throw 48 times.
    39 pass attempts, 2 scrambles, 1 pass intentional grounding, and 6 sacks.

    They gained a net 6.1 yards per drop back.
    That pass defense allowed no TD’s. They had 2 interceptions, caused a fumble and almost had another fumble recovery by David.

    I am guessing we won’t be that strong every week for our pass defense but also think we can do that many more times as Parrish, Morrison, and Roberts get more experience.

    Todd’s defenses seem to get better as the season goes on.

  23. Bosch Says:

    Enough already! If the Bucs win the Super Bowl, then let’s celebrate with a hundred and one boat parades. But this season has barely begun. The real news is who is going to be available for the Lions game. How serious is Egbuka’s injury. Is there a chance Goedke will return? What’s the deal with Chris Godwin? What is the organization doing about all these hamstring injuries? Is there a problem the training, staff? The field? Seems like they are all happening in home games.

    If you want to keep talking about the BSPN power rank, then talk about what Bowles, the coaching staff and team leaders are doing to keep the team focused despot the headlines that often get teams resting on their laurels.

  24. BucsFan81 Says:

    Suh is not wrong. Right now with all the injuries Bucs are probably just a top 3 team. You get Ebuka, Godwin, Evans and Bucky out on that field at the same time and we are the best team in the NFL.

  25. James Willie Says:

    Can’t argue with Suh. I don’t think Baker would, either. Still too early. Top 3, yes. #1. . .? I’ve been a Bucs fan too long. No trophies for winning the first third of the season.

  26. Larrd Says:

    When they get their receivers and corners healthy they’ll have a good case!

  27. Buddha Says:

    Detroit lost only one game at home last year

  28. TombsEN Says:

    The defense is much improved from last year…posters want to harp on the Seahawks game but we were down 2 cb’s and Smith is a damn good WR. People need to calm down and quit being so negative.

  29. Gipper Says:

    Well, we have come a long way when one of the posters here says that Baker is an upgrade over Brady in his last year. For Baker to be doing all of this following the GOAT is remarkable, but not if you consider that Baker is more elusive, has a stronger and more accurate arm, and has adopted all of Brady’s study habits. Finally, it is obvious to all that Baker is more fun. None of this means disrespect to Tom Brady. They are just different people. When Baker sustains this play for another 7 years, with a couple of SB’s thrown in, people will be talking about Baker and the HOF. Right now Baker is the talk of sports TV. He says he doesn’t pay any attention to it. Hope not. On to Detroit and another W.

  30. Donny's Swollen Ankles Says:

    He’s right. Top 3 isn’t bad.

  31. BucsFanSince1996 Says:

    A legitimate #1 ranking is within reach IF the team were healthier. For now, I must agree with Suh. If they convincingly beat Detroit next Monday night, I might reconsider.

  32. Defense Rules Says:

    Brady is primarily looking at the Bucs’ offense when he ranks us #1 in the NFL, while Suh is focusing on our defense. Doesn’t matter a lick which one of them we each believe; we’re only one-third of the way into the season. LOTS more football in the future.

  33. Pewter Power Says:

    They need a decisive victory Monday night or against a top team and we only have about 3-4 left on the schedule Rams, Detroit, Patriots ended up being good Atlanta is always tough and bills defense is weak so that’s a shootout

  34. Buddha Says:

    This is a big ask. Lions favored by six points and are healthy again. Many handicappers think Buccaneers are due for regression. Buccaneers rank 13th in DVOA. The Action Network ranks Tampa as the luckiest team in the NFL as stats suggest they should have lost to Atlanta, Seattle, and Houston. It’s as if all the bad luck of the lost decade is being repaid this year.

  35. infomeplease Says:

    This MNF game is huge! The Bucs need to bring their A game to motown!!! If the Bucs can control the clock and score TDs in the red zone they may be able to out score Detroit. It should be a great game. The D needs to get healthy in the secondary and make plays again. Special teams needs to continue to improve! This is a winnable game. Next man up! Get it done!

  36. SlyPirate Says:

    Demete Says:

    He’s not wrong.

    ^^^^^^^

    1000% Agreed.

    Bucs aren’t the best team but there isn’t a best team this year.

  37. Fanofdabucs Says:

    All these rankings are fun and all, but dont amount to much. These rankings in September and October are pointless. Also, saying somehow the Lions game will tell us anything is even more ridiculous. I fully expect with all the injuries that the Bucs will have their first bad loss and all this talk will end. Get to 6-2 at the Bye and then get healthy for Nov and December and then all these talking hwads can throw their silly rankings out there.
    What we do know is the Bucs have a very good team with some quality depth, a good culture, the right attitude and they just need to injury Gods to shine more favorably on them.

  38. firethecannons Says:

    One game at a time, Suh is right, we are in the top 3 best teams in NFC, nothing more than that, beat Lions then we are best in NFC.

  39. adam from ny Says:

    you are what your record says you are…ask parcells…

    also check the power ranking rn big suh…

    we are number 1….maybe for only one week…but currently we hold the belt like the hulkster did

  40. jimmy Says:

    ranking schmanking. it’s irrelevant. best, best what? best D? no. best at making sure punts dont get blocked? no. best rushing game? no. best scoring? no. best at pulling wins out of their hat when they are down heading in to the end of the game? yes. sacks? no. ints no.

  41. Oxycondomns Says:

    suh is a smart dude wonder if sky is paying him good because he should be doing that his work in usa

  42. eoschwartz Says:

    Where you are seeded at the end of the season is what counts. Winning your division is a positive but your record in the conference is so important as it decides tiebreakers and playoff home games.

    As a longtime Buc fan I think this team when it has all its firepower healthy on offense is the best offense of all time. Yes the 2020 offense was the greatest JT this team has 2 younger receivers in JMac and EE that the ‘20 team didn’t have. Evans will still be Evans when his hamstring is healed. Bucky and White ar better than Fournette. Tes is young but more elusive than anyone on the ‘20 team. To be fair, no tight end on this team can be discussed in the same sentence as Gronk.

    2020 defensive line and linebackers were better for sure. The Bucs have great safeties and Parrish is a complete player as is Tylee Smith. Bucs give up a lot of yardage to passers but Smith and Winfield are doing a very good job covering the back end. Teams aren’t getting behind these zones.

    Detroit has a great running and passing game and a QB that gets rid of the ball quickly. The Bucs have to rough up Goff like they did Jones. Cannot give him a clean pocket.

    Maybe Reddick can break out from the edge, they need him to make some big plays. I think Bowles should scheme as much pressure as possible because you cannot let Goff get a clean pocket. He has one of the best receiver and tight end combos in the league. A shame Ebuka is out, he is the most polished rookie receiver ever to wear a Bucs uniform.

  43. 813bucboi Says:

    DEFENSE IS IMPROVING!!!!…

    if you cant see that then you dont know football!!!!

    6-1!!!!!

    GO BUCS!!!!

  44. Zoocomics Says:

    Suh!

  45. Aqualung Says:

    Suh knows defense and knows what weaknesses haven’t been corrected, and what the easy to see vulnerabilities are. Todd should already know exactly what Lions gameplan is and shut down the gimme 7-12 yard passes, the 15 yard slant.

    Todd has shown glimpses of shut down defense. Second half Eagles, 4thQ Niners.

    Needs to be for 60 consecutive minutes in the same game. On Monday night. That gives the decimated offense a chance.

  46. Dano407 Says:

    Hope I’m wrong but Bucs don’t win in Detroit without Emeka.

  47. Obvious One Says:

    It IS Well Known that I have NOT been a Todd Bowles supporter. Mostly because HE WOULD NOT Engage on the battle field any more than “reactionary” AT BEST! He just didn’t qualify as the type of head coach that we NEEDED to go any further than the “Offense” could get us. And of course The WORLD KNOWS THAT A STRONG, FAST ACTING, and HIGHLY MANEUVERABLE, “DEFENSE” WINS SUPER BOWLS!

    And Todd wasn’t THAT guy (as a head coach) sin e he took over. It’s been Soul Sucking as we ALL watch teams Mar h down field AT WILL, and THEN make a stand to try to stop them from scoring.. I have NEVER AGREED with THAT strategy. It’s NOT a good game plan BUT it what we’ve had for Years. Got REAL TIRED OF THAT and started to say something. Got to the point of a Revolution to get rid of Todd..

    Two games ago… Something changed. One game ago, the Strength of that Change reared it’s head and started to Stick and Move! Started to Bob and Weave…

    Todd Bowles for the first time Ever, ENGAGED!…. (as the “DC”)

    The Difference is how Todd Bowles called the defensive game. I guess he got tired of getting embarrassed by Shanahan year over year and Stepped Up! It’s not the skill players (but they ARE markedly better this year), IT WAS the DC that Changed his tune that made ALL THE DIFFERENCE in the 49er game. We “actually” dominated for a change on the defensive side of the ball BECAUSE OF Bowles Stepping Up Into the Pocket, Instead Of laying back and letting it play out until the second half and Then Make the changes. NOT THIS TIME.. Todd started to make changes in “HIS GAME” when we played the chicken hawks.

    I’m TELLING YOU ALL RIGHT NOW, That Todd Bowles WHIPPED Shanahan STRAIT UP, and HEAD TO HEAD! BOWLES WAS INVOLVED FOR THE ENTIRE GAME , “AND MUCH MORE” Bowles and his team that he put together on defense beat Shanahan and his team on offense….

    THAT WAS THE DIFFERENCE IN THE GAME AND HOW WE PLAYED IT THIS TIME…

    We Actually HAD Complementary Football Buc Lovers and I personally Haven’t seen that since Bruce Arians was on the sideline and running the show..

    As I Stated AND I’ll say it again…. IF… IF Todd continues to coach in REAL TIME for His defensive side of the ball like he did for the 49er game THEN… THEN we have a Real Shot at winning this Whole Thing, THIS YEAR.

  48. jimmy Says:

    i agree with obvious one. something changed in the D the last couple of games imo, the playcalling didnt seem like blitz all the time like a drunken sailor. could be wrong.

  49. JBBUCS_06 Says:

    We are missing so many players, we don’t know what we truly can be right now. I LOVE the fight of this team and the “we’re rolling with who we have” mentality. But, who sits when Mike, Chris, JMac come back? Can’t sit KJ (PR/KR). Do we really want to sit Tez? Do we stop Rashaad when Bucky returns? Defensively, we’re shaping up – but not dominating yet.

  50. TheScourge Says:

    That’s a level headed take Suh. I concur.

  51. SmokyMountainBucsFan Says:

    If and when The Bucs drop another game or two or, probably more close to three more, in my opinion. It will not be the end of the world.

  52. GoneGator Says:

    Don’t care what either of them say.
    It’s going to get harder to ignore the noise the more there is…. Head down, improve every day, grind, one game @ a time 💪🏼🏈

  53. toopanca Says:

    The ball bounces both ways as the Bucs well know from experience. And, figuratively speaking, the Bucs have had the ball bounce both ways this year.

    But, who knows what the next bounce will bring.

    Top three is something to be damn proud of, and improved depth is the reason that is a realistic assessment.

    Which is not to say that there is any team clearly better than the Bucs if the Bucs ever get everyone healthy who is not already out for the year.

  54. Brooks Says:

    Monday will be true test

  55. Jmarkbuc Says:

    JBBUCS

    Those are definitely first world problems. The way things go you’ll never have to worry about it anyway.

  56. Rod Munch Says:

    You know who ESPN had at the top of the power rankings in week 6 of 2002? The 5-1 Miami Dolphins … who finished 9-7 and missed the playoffs for the first time in 6 years.

    Being the paper champ in week 6 is meaningless, and people who care about popularity polls should stick to college football. In the NFL, it’s settled on the field, and the only power poll that matters is the one issued after the Super Bowl when they recap the season.

 

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