Three weeks into the 2024 NFL season, several teams still have undefeated records. At least one of them isn't a huge surprise — the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs are off to a 3-0 start for the sixth time in coach Andy Reid's tenure — but other teams are literally defying the odds.
While the season is still long, a 3-0 start could be seen as a sign of playoff berth. Since 1970, roughly 75% of 3-0 teams have made the postseason. What does the future hold for this year's undefeated teams? Below, we'll identify their key strengths and weaknesses and predict when or if their perfect record will be broken.
Wins: vs. Cardinals, @Dolphins, vs. Jaguars
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The biggest strength is Josh Allen. What else can I say? He's always been an MVP-caliber gunslinger, but he dominated from the get-go, even with a reshuffled receiver corps. No one shoots from deep with as much conviction right now, and weapons like James Cook and Dalton Kinkaid are still probably underrated around the league.
Their biggest weakness is the health of their defense. Sean McDermott's team dominated Jacksonville and easily fended off Trevor Lawrence and co., but with linebacker Matt Milano already out, injuries to starters Terrell Bernard and Taron Johnson are a concern. Other than that, the Bills have been a strong overall contender.
Prediction: The Bills narrowly beat the Baltimore Ravens in a thrilling matchup in Week 4 to improve to 4-0, but then lose to C.J. Stroud in our Week 5 AFC playoff preview.
Kansas City Chiefs
Wins: vs. Ravens, @Bengals, @Falcons
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Biggest Strength: Efficiency in key moments. Steve Spagnuolo's defense remains physical, but Patrick Mahomes has stepped up in key moments despite the absence of lead ball-carrier Isaiah Pacheco and an injured supporting cast. Ruchy Rice's continued emergence as the No. 1 wide receiver has led to mismatches after the catch.
Biggest weakness: Durability. Mahomes has two starting left tackles this year and most of his forward bench is injured. The backfield is down to rookie Carson Steele with Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Haley out. With Marquise Brown potentially out for the season, Rice will have to play mostly out wide.
Prediction: The Chiefs will beat the Los Angeles Chargers (Week 5) and New Orleans Saints (Week 6), then improve to 7-0 with a win against the San Francisco 49ers (Week 8) after the bye week before suffering an upset loss to Todd Bowles' Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9.
Wins: @ Giants, vs 49ers, vs Texans
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Their biggest strength is Brian Flores' ferocious defense. Sam Darnold has exceeded expectations, controlling the ball with ease in Kevin O'Connell's deep offensive line, but there may not be a more suffocating defense in the NFL right now. Flores' combination of physical strength and versatile veterans continues to confuse opposing quarterbacks.
Biggest weakness: Fear of collapse. Minnesota is often a recipe for another disaster. If the Vikings are actually losing games, will Darnold be forced to make another risky throw? Or will O'Connell's lineup lose yet another key playmaker to injury? There are no glaring weaknesses at the moment, which speaks volumes about what this team has accomplished.
Prediction: The Vikings will see Jordan Love return to Lambeau Field in Week 4, but Josh Jacobs' physical prowess and a spread-out defense led by Xavier McKinney will ultimately hand Minnesota its first loss of the season.
Wins: @ Falcons, @ Broncos, vs. Chargers
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Their biggest strength, as always, is Mike Tomlin's defense. Justin Fields has been good with the ball as the replacement (and soon-to-be permanent?) quarterback, but the Steel City is still built on a tenacious defense with TJ Watt leading from the edge. They're allowing just 8.7 points per game thanks to a unit that's physical enough to swarm at any level.
Their biggest weakness is rushing efficiency. Despite being labeled ground-and-pound under new coordinator Arthur Smith, the team is only averaging 3.6 yards per carry and still has one of the most athletic playmakers in the NFL in Fields. Injuries up front don't help and could cause serious problems late in the season.
Prediction: The Steelers will endure a tough battle against the Indianapolis Colts (Week 4) and force Anthony Richardson into multiple turnovers to improve to 4-0, but they won't be able to keep up with the Dallas Cowboys' offense in Week 5.
Wins: vs. Broncos, Patriots, Dolphins
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The biggest strength is Mike McDonald's defense. Seattle entered the 2024 season loaded with underrated talent at every level of the D, and the former Baltimore Ravens coordinator made the most of it. Geno Smith has also been decisive in key situations, but he can take risks with a defense that ranks in the top five in points and yards allowed.
Their biggest weakness is their health: Smith is back on track, but the offensive line is once again under physical strain and the backfield is also without Kenneth Walker III. Add in injuries to key defensive players like Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy, and the Seahawks are already struggling with a war of attrition.
Prediction: The Seahawks will go all the way against the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football in Week 4, but ultimately suffer McDonald's first loss of his rookie season leading the team.
