We are almost one-quarter of the way through the NFL season, and after three weeks of action, five teams remain undefeated.
While it’s still early in the season, a 3-0 start gives teams an 86.4 percent historical chance of making the 14-team NFL Playoffs and becoming Super Bowl contenders. Only five teams that started 3-0 have missed the playoffs since the expansion. However, while some 3-0 teams were expected to be here, others have surprised us through the first three weeks and raised questions about whether their success is sustainable as the season goes on.
Without further ado, let’s look at all 3-0 NFL teams and establish whether they are contenders or pretenders.
Which 3-0 NFL Teams Are Legit?
Buffalo Bills- Contenders
The Buffalo Bills have had a fantastic start under their new head coach, Joe Brady.
Through the first three weeks of the season, the Bills have established themselves as one of the league’s best offenses, averaging 33.7 points per game, the best in the NFL. A big reason for their success has been MVP-caliber play from star quarterback Josh Allen. He has thrown for 786 passing yards and five passing touchdowns, and rushed for six touchdowns on 114 yards, despite three turnovers in last week’s win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
There’s a lot to like about this offense, which ranks fourth in total and rushing yards. The addition of wide receiver D.J. Moore has added firepower, as he has 167 receiving yards and one touchdown despite leaving early with an injury in Week 2’s win over the Detroit Lions. Tight end Dalton Kincaid leads the team with 263 yards, and running back James Cook III has been incredible in the running game, rushing for 346 yards and two touchdowns.
On defense, the unit has shown vulnerability, allowing 26 points per game, which ranks 11th in the NFL. However, despite its struggles, it has shown it can make game-changing plays, as in Week 1 when it forced a game-winning fumble against the Texans. Last week, it forced a game-changing interception that allowed the Bills to score a touchdown on the ensuing drive and take control after the offense committed five turnovers.
The Bills have a lot to clean up after a sluggish performance against the Chargers, but winning that game despite their mistakes shows how resilient this team is. With one of the most explosive offenses and a difference-making defense, the Buffalo Bills have established themselves as one of the best teams in the AFC and as Super Bowl contenders.
Kansas City Chiefs- Contenders
After missing the playoffs last year for the first time since 2014, the Kansas City Chiefs have shown through the first three weeks of the season that they are back to being contenders.
The return of quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the addition of running back Kenneth Walker III have revitalized this team, as the offense has averaged almost 29.3 points per game. While Mahomes has played at a high level since returning from a torn ACL and LCL, Walker has completely transformed this offense.
Last year’s Super Bowl MVP has made a huge impact in the running and passing game, rushing for 360 yards and scoring two touchdowns, plus two receiving touchdowns on 11 receptions for 82 yards. The Chiefs have lacked a running back for a long time, as they haven’t had a 1,000-yard rusher since Kareem Hunt in 2017, but adding Walker has made the team dangerous in both the passing and running game.
Despite giving up 30 points against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2, this unit has been elite, allowing 16.7 points per game, tying for the third-fewest in the NFL. They have also made an impact in every game, forcing at least one turnover. Along with its offense and defense, Kansas City has one of the league’s best coaching staffs: head coach Andy Reid has won three Super Bowls, and all of this year’s coordinators have won one in Kansas City.
The Chiefs’ win over a lowly Miami Dolphins team wasn’t pretty, as they struggled to put them away for most of the game. However, Walker’s presence has taken a lot of pressure off Mahomes, who has been relied on heavily in the past, and the team has shown it’s ready to be Super Bowl contenders again after last year’s disappointment.
Las Vegas Raiders- Pretenders
The Las Vegas Raiders have been the season’s best story through three weeks. A team that had the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s NFL Draft is off to its best start since 2021, but we shouldn’t expect them to keep up this success as the season goes on.
First-year head coach Klint Kubiak deserves a lot of credit for this start, as his decision to start Kirk Cousins over Fernando Mendoza has helped the offense average 29.3 points per game. Cousins has thrown nine touchdowns while averaging 220.3 passing yards per game, and players like wide receivers Cody White and Tre Tucker have stepped up, scoring four of the team’s 10 touchdowns. Despite averaging 3.3 yards per run, running back Ashton Jeanty has made an impact, ranking among the top 10 in carries and rushing yards with 63 carries and 206 yards; he has also scored two receiving touchdowns.
The defense has exceeded expectations, allowing an average of 18 points per game and forcing three turnovers per game. Despite reaching three wins this early in the season after finishing last season 3-14, the Raiders have benefited from an easy schedule, as two of their three wins have come against teams that are currently 0-3. They also beat a New Orleans Saints team prone to turnovers, which had four in the fourth quarter and 14 of its 35 points coming from them.
Things won’t get easy for the Raiders as they have the second-hardest remaining schedule in the league. They start this week against the Chiefs, then face the New England Patriots, Bills, and Los Angeles Rams in their next three games and still haven’t faced a defense that’s ranked in the top 15 in total defense. The offense has impressed, but it could struggle as their schedule gets harder. This team has been a good story, but don’t expect them to contend for the Super Bowl this season; they could become the sixth team in history to miss the playoffs after starting 3-0.
Minnesota Vikings- Pretenders
The Minnesota Vikings deserve a lot of credit for starting 3-0, considering they had to win two of those three games with backup quarterback Carson Wentz. However, despite all the talent on this team, their quarterback situation could once again hold this team back.
A big reason for the team’s 3-0 start has been its defense, which has given up 13.7 points per game, the second-fewest in the league. This unit also leads the league in sacks and has averaged two turnovers per game. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores has been relentless, with 75 percent of his defensive calls being blitzes, and it has paid off, making the Vikings’ defense one of the league’s best.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell has done a great job getting the most out of his offense, considering that quarterback Kyler Murray suffered a concussion in the season-opening win over the Green Bay Packers. His decision to put Wentz as QB2 over J.J. McCarthy paid off, as Wentz was effective in the first two wins, throwing for 276 yards and three touchdowns. Murray has struggled with one touchdown and two interceptions, but playmakers like Aaron Jones have helped offset it.
The Vikings’ schedule looks favorable, and they should make the playoffs after this fast start. However, Murray has to play better if this team wants to be in Super Bowl contention, and based on what we’ve seen of him with the Arizona Cardinals, it’s hard to envision this team as Super Bowl contenders.
San Francisco 49ers- Contenders
The San Francisco 49ers are off to a 3-0 start for consecutive seasons for the first time since 1989-1990, showing that they are once again set to contend for this year’s Super Bowl.
Quarterback Brock Purdy is off to the best start of his career, putting himself in the MVP conversation with nine passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown, a 72.3 completion percentage, 789 passing yards, and 93 rushing yards, despite one interception and a depleted wide receiver room. This offense has a lot of talent, with four players logging more than 100 receiving yards through the first three weeks.
Running back Christian McCaffrey continues to show why he’s one of the league’s best running backs, scoring three touchdowns and logging 270 scrimmage yards. Along with that, third-round selection running back Kaelon Black has done a great job sharing the load with McCaffrey, logging 107 rushing yards on 25 carries, something they have lacked since acquiring McCaffrey in 2022.
Despite giving up 30 points against the Cardinals last week, the defense has done its job in neutralizing its opponent, allowing just 16.7 points per game. However, the injury bug continues to ravage the team, and it currently leads the NFL in reported injuries. Their wide receiver room is depleted, with four receivers on the injured reserve and Mike Evans now nursing a rib injury. Injuries are also piling up on the defensive end, with Nick Bosa and Dre Greenlaw hurt. Injuries could once again hold back this team’s potential.
However, the 49ers did a great job managing this situation just like they did last year. Purdy is playing the best football of his career right now, and if he maintains this level, this team should be fine despite the injuries. If the team can get healthy by the time the playoffs arrive, the 49ers have the talent to represent the NFC in this year’s Super Bowl.
Main Image: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
