Three teams from the AFC and three teams from the NFC are undefeated at 3-0, including the defending Super Bowl champion. The Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, and Tampa Bay Bucs are the only 3-0 teams in the NFC. The trio of unbeaten teams in the AFC includes the Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo Bills, and Indianapolis Colts. The Colts are easily the biggest surprise this season.
Since 2020, 82 percent of teams that began the season 3-0 advanced to the postseason. This also marks the first time since 2020 with at least six 3-0 squads three weeks into the season.
Five teams began 3-0 last season, and all five secured postseason berths. Two of them, the Kansas City Chiefs and Eagles, would meet in the Super Bowl.
Philadelphia Eagles: What Hangover?
Super Bowl Odds: +700
Teams Beat: Cowboys 24-20, Chiefs 20-17, Rams 33-26
If anyone expected the Eagles to suffer a Super Bowl hangover, they proved everyone wrong by winning their first three games, including a rematch of last year’s Super Bowl, with a three-point win against the Chiefs in Week 2.
Fans are cautious because the Eagles are not exactly steamrolling the competition like last season. Their margin of victory has been 14 total points. All three victories occurred in one-score games. They rallied back down 19 points in the third quarter to defeat the L.A. Rams in Week 3.
The Eagles will be tested next week when they square off against one of the other 3-0 teams. Baker Mayfield and the Bucs host the Eagles, which should be one of the marquee games in Week 4.
The Eagles also host the Denver Broncos in Week 5 and then play the New York Giants twice in October, plus a road game against the Minnesota Vikings sandwiched in between.
San Francisco 49ers: Banged Up, But Unbeaten
Super Bowl Odds: +1600
Teams Beat: Seahawks 17-13, Saints 26-21, Cardinals 16-15
The 49ers remained unbeaten at 3-0 despite a rash of injuries and a backup quarterback starting two games. Brock Purdy missed the last two games (sprained left shoulder, turf toe), but he’s expected to return in Week 4. Mac Jones kept their win streak alive with narrow victories against a bad team in the Saints and a tough divisional foe in the Cardinals.
With Robert Saleh returning to the coaching staff as defensive coordinator, the 49ers have one of the best scoring defenses in the NFL, allowing only 16.3 points per game. They suffered a major blow when star defensive end Nick Bosa exited Week 3 with a season-ending ACL injury.
The 49ers also won all three games by just a single score, including a one-point win over the Cardinals as time expired in Week 3, thanks to an Eddie Pinero field goal. Their margin of victory this season is a combined 10 points.
The 49ers’ next three opponents have winning records with a home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1), and road games at their AFC West nemesis, the L.A. Rams (2-1), and the Bucs (3-0). After this tough stretch, the 49ers then play three easy games against losing squads, including the Atlanta Falcons in Week 7, at the Houston Texans in Week 8, and at the New York Giants in Week 9.
Tampa Bay Bucs: Mayfield Magic
Super Bowl Odds: +2200
Teams Beat: Falcons 23-20, Texans 20-19, Jets 29-27
The Bucs are tied for the lowest scoring margin for a 3-0 team in NFL history at just six points. Mayfield worked his late-game magic to lead the Bucs to three consecutive comeback wins in the final minute. He’s tossed six touchdowns with zero interceptions and added 116 rushing yards as the team’s second leading rusher.
The Bucs lost Mike Evans to a hamstring injury in Week 3, but rookie wide receiver Emeke Egbuka emerged as a capable primary option, leading the team in touchdowns (3), yards (181), and co-leader in receptions (14). They’re also getting WR Chris Godwin back to the mix, along with starting left tackle Tristan Wirfs in Week 4.
The Bucs face their biggest test of the season in Week 4 when the defending champion Eagles come to town. They also have a tough road game against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 5 before hosting the 49ers in Week 6 and visiting the Detroit Lions for Monday Night Football in Week 8.
Los Angeles Chargers: New Kings of the West
Super Bowl Odds: +1500
Teams Beat: Chiefs 27-21, Raiders 20-9, Broncos 23-20
When Jim Harbaugh filled the head coaching vacancy for the L.A. Chargers last season, a lot of people thought he was crazy for wanting to go head-to-head (twice a season, too!) against Andy Reid and Sean Payton. Now that Pete Carroll is coaching the Raiders, Harbaugh and the Chargers must face a Super Bowl-winning coach in every division game.
Harbaugh and the Chargers were not intimidated to start this season, and beat all three divisional opponents. They’re now 3-0 and in first place with a two-game lead.
Justin Herbert is brimming with confidence and playing some of the best ball of his career. He currently leads the league in passing yards (860). He recently became the second-fastest QB in NFL history to reach 2,000 completions (a record held by Patrick Mahomes by one game) in 82 games.
The Chargers lost veteran running back Najee Harris to a season-ending Achilles injury, but rookie Omarion Hampton now has his chance to thrive in the starting role.
The Chargers face the Giants in Week 4, then host Washington in Week 5, and visit the Miami Dolphins in Week 6. If the Chargers and Colts can remain undefeated at 6-0, they’ll square off for a potential huge matchup in Week 7.
Buffalo Bills: Frontrunners
Super Bowl Odds: +425
Teams Beat: Ravens 41-40, Jets 30-10, Dolphins 31-21
The Bills look like the team to beat in the AFC. It’s also not a surprise that they’re the consensus favorite to win the Super Bowl at +425 odds, and Josh Allen is the frontrunner to win the MVP at +250 odds.
Allen engineered a stunning fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the Ravens by one point in Week 1. The Bills easily knocked off the Jets before holding off a desperate Miami Dolphins in Week 3.
The Bills have one of the easier schedules between now and Thanksgiving. They host the Saints in Week 4 and the New England Patriots in Week 5, before playing two NFC South teams on the road against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 6 and the Carolina Panthers in Week 7. There’s a very good chance the Bills are 7-0 when they host the Chiefs in Week 8. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs have been kryptonite for Allen and the Bills, but the Bills Mafia believe this will finally be the year they get over the hump.
Indianapolis Colts: Daniel Jones Surprise
Super Bowl Odds: +3500
Teams Beat: Dolphins 33-8, Broncos 29-28, Titans 41-20
Quarterback Daniel Jones rejuvenated his career with the Colts after the New York Giants nearly ruined him. The new environment in Indianapolis is exactly what Jones needed. Thanks to a competent coaching staff and a stout offensive line, he’s completing a career-best 71.6 percent of his passes with three touchdowns with zero interceptions. He also added three rushing touchdowns.
The Colts are probably playing above their pay grade right now, especially with two blowout victories against winless teams in the Dolphins and Titans. Their one-point victory against the Broncos and their tough defense were impressive, though.
It’s doubtful the Colts can continue this early surge, but they established themselves as the new betting favorite to win their division. You can back the Colts right now at -150 odds, according to BetMGM, to win the AFC South.
The Colts have two difficult road games at SoFi Stadium over the next four weeks, including the Rams in Week 4 and the Chargers in Week 7. They host the Raiders in Week 5 and the Cardinals in Week 6. With two upcoming tests in L.A., we’ll soon find out how good the Colts really are!
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