We only have five remaining undefeated teams just three weeks into the NFL season. Many expected the Bills and Chiefs to have successful starts, but not as many could have seen this coming for the Vikings and Steelers. Are the Seahawks merely a product of their easy schedule? We discuss all of that here and also predict when each undefeated team will eventually lose their spotless record.
Minnesota Vikings
It feels right to start with the team that nobody expected to start 3-0. The surprise around Minnesota’s hot start surrounds their schedule. Wins over the 49ers and Texans are impressive. Especially considering how they dismantled a stacked Houston squad on both ends. However, all good things must come to an end. Minnesota takes on a familiar foe in Green Bay this week. Jordan Love sat out last week after reports that he could play in Green Bay’s Week 3 tilt versus the Titans. We think the Packers held out Love to be ready for this game. Green Bay’s defense has played extremely well in his absence and will end up stifling Sam Darnold for the first time as Minnesota’s starting QB.
Prediction: Vikings suffer first loss in Week 4 versus the Packers
Buffalo Bills
Buffalo’s 3-0 start was imperative as they now embark on a brutal 3-game road trip. Over the next three games, the Bills will go on the road to play a trio of AFC playoff hopefuls in the Ravens, Texans, and Jets. The Ravens won’t be a cakewalk, but they haven’t been playing well as of late. The Bills will get tested for the first time this season, but ultimately take the win. Week 5 is the game we’re circling. Houston is a tough matchup for Buffalo on both ends of the field. And, we could see the Bills potentially looking forward to that game against the Jets who gave them serious problems without Aaron Rodgers last year. CJ Stroud, Nico Collins, and former Buffalo Bill Stefon Diggs put on a clinic in a huge home win to defeat the unbeaten Bills.
Prediction: Bills suffer first loss in Week 5 versus the Texans
Seattle Seahawks
Probably the most unassuming undefeated team. Seattle is 3-0 with wins over the Broncos, Patriots, and Dolphins. Not exactly stiff competition when you consider the Broncos were starting a rookie QB in his debut, the Patriots were expected to finish at the bottom of the AFC, and the Dolphins were without starter Tua Tagovailoa. Still, Seattle has built a two-game lead in the competitive NFC West. Week 4 is a chance for the rest of the division to make up ground. Seattle faces their first test against the Detroit Lions. Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald had success against the Lions last year as Baltimore’s DC, but he’s not working with the same level of talent this time around. The Lions win and get some revenge from a dramatic overtime loss in Week 2 against the Seahawks last year.
Prediction: Lions suffer first loss in Week 4 versus the Seahawks
Pittsburgh Steelers
The best defense in the league has carried the Steelers to a 3-0 record. Through three games, Pittsburgh has allowed just 26 points. Last week, the Steelers held the Los Angeles Chargers to negative yardage after the halftime break. Led by TJ Watt, this group could lead Pittsburgh to a division title. In Week 4, they play the Colts and one of the most turnover-prone QBs in the league Anthony Richardson. A defensive touchdown could propel them to a win in that one. If we’re scouting for a potential loss, we’re looking at a Week 5 showdown with the underachieving Cowboys. Dallas’ main weakness has been its run defense, but the Steelers haven’t been able to garner much on the ground with both Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren averaging less than 4 YPC. If Dallas’ defensive line gets to Justin Fields early, he’ll start making mistakes against a ball-hawking defense. Pittsburgh’s defense will keep every game close, but we see Dak Prescott making just enough plays to topple the 4-0 Steelers.
Prediction: Steelers suffer first loss in Week 5 versus the Cowboys
Kansas City Chiefs
The two-time defending champions are off to an undefeated start despite middling play. While the underlying stats aren’t overly impressive, the Chiefs execute down the stretch and never seem to panic. That’s why we have them as the last undefeated team in the league after the other four teams go down by Week 5. Kansas City’s next two games should go in their favor. Week 4 is a matchup against a Chargers team that will likely be without Justin Herbert (if he plays, he’ll be compromised physically). Week 5 is a familiar face in Derek Carr and the New Orleans Saints. New Orleans’ interior line is banged up and got destroyed by Philadelphia’s Jalen Carter in Week 3. Kansas City’s Chris Jones will do the same. Then, the Chiefs have a Week 6 bye to prepare for a Super Bowl rematch against the 49ers. While Andy Reid has always been great with an extra week to prepare, Kyle Shanahan gets the better of him here. The Chiefs offense hasn’t looked great, and we don’t expect Travis Kelce to replicate his Super Bowl LVIII performance in a regular season game at this point of his career. By the end of Week 7, no undefeated teams will be remaining.
Prediction: Chiefs suffer first loss in Week 7 versus the 49ers
