Tom Brady: Why Lions are among NFL's best, solution for Cowboys' slow starts

The Detroit Lions made a statement in their 47-9 blowout over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, and Tom Brady is definitely sold on the idea that Jared Goff & Co. are once again Super Bowl contenders — if not favorites — this season.

When asked by FOX NFL Sunday studio analyst Howie Long after the game if the Lions are the best among the eight teams he has seen in person this season, Brady did not hesitate.

"Absolutely," Brady said. "I just think their ability to play on offense — there's so many styles to play. They've got this two-headed monster [David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs] at [running] back, creative play-calling. Everybody's involved. They got [wide receiver Kalif] Raymond involved. 

"Gibbs played, he played pretty well today, but at the same time, it wasn't this electric performance that we've seen from him. They got [Amon-Ra] St Brown, [Sam] LaPorta. They just have weapons, and obviously it all starts with that offensive line. The way they dominate the line of scrimmage, you can get any pass rush, Goff is back there surveying the field. They just seem like they got everything rolling. And on defense, they're up there challenging people. They're playing man coverage, challenging every single play. And it's frustrating when you're a quarterback and there's no easy throws out there.

"They're going to be tough to stop. I think they've got a lot of humility in that locker room. They got a lot of guys that are playing for one another. … Man, the Lions are a tough team to beat."

Brady also holds a special affinity for Goff. The two have much in common beyond just their shared history at quarterback, as they both grew up in Northern California and spent impactful parts of their careers in Michigan — Brady in college