Several surprise teams emerged unbeaten after Week 3 in the NFL, and it’s plausible that none of them are going anywhere.
The Minnesota Vikings beat two contenders in the past two weeks. The Seattle Seahawks dominated in Week 3 after two close games. And the Pittsburgh Steelers improved on offense in a 20–10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
These three teams joined the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills with their 3–0 record. All five get to prove they’re for real in Week 4 with legitimate tests on the horizon.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (3–0)
Kansas City escaped Atlanta with a victory as Patrick Mahomes threw for two touchdowns. Chiefs running back Carson Steele and wide receiver Rashee Rice had strong performances. In addition, Kansas City’s defense held an opponent under 20 points for the first time this season.2. Buffalo Bills (3–0)
Buffalo owned the Jacksonville Jaguars amid a second-straight blowout win. Josh Allen hasn’t thrown an interception yet, and the defense already has six takeaways.3. Detroit Lions (2–1)
While the Lions bounced back with a win, it didn’t come easy in a 20–13 win over the Arizona Cardinals. The Lions get an unbeaten Seahawks team next.4. Minnesota Vikings (3–0)
Minnesota dominated the Texans, and quarterback Sam Darnold remained healthy enough to play. The Vikings can strengthen its NFC North lead amid Aaron Jones’s return to Lambeau Field.5. Seattle Seahawks (3–0)
The Seahawks are 3–0 without quarterback Geno Smith putting up big numbers amid three touchdowns and three interceptions. Seattle’s defense hasn’t returned to its Legion of Boom days, but the Seahawks have 11 pass deflections and two interceptions in three games thus far.6. Green Bay Packers (2–1)
The Packers had a solution at backup quarterback in Malik Willis, but he will get his biggest test of the season against the unbeaten Vikings. Defensively, the Packers have been game-changing with nine takeaways thus far.7. Philadelphia Eagles (2–1)
Philadelphia escaped in a close game for the second time this season, but the Eagles have yet to put anyone away decisively. Eagles running back Saqoun Barkley remains dominant amid five offensive touchdowns already.8. Pittsburgh Steelers (3–0)
Steelers quarterback Justin Fields showed more confidence in a win over the Chargers, and the Steelers defense continues to dominate. The Steelers could make it 4–0 with the turnover-prone Colts team next.9. New York Jets (2–1)
Aaron Rodgers looked young again, and that could get the attention of the rest of the league. The Jets pass rush is looking strong amid 14 sacks thus far.10. Houston Texans (2–1)
Houston got humbled against the Vikings in a 34–7 blowout. Texans get to regroup against a winless Jaguars team in Week 4.11. San Francisco 49ers (1–2)
While the 49ers are banged up, a second-straight loss is concerning. Niners wideout Brandon Aiyuk has yet to get going amid the skill player injuries, and the defense gave up 20-plus points for a second straight week.12. New Orleans Saints (2–1)
The Saints won’t score 40-plus points every week after all, but the defense held a third-straight opponent under 20 points. New Orleans faces a critical NFC South test against Atlanta next.13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2–1)
A banged up Buccaneers squad couldn’t solve a hungry Denver Broncos team in a 26–7 defeat. The Buccaneers don’t look much healthier for Week 4 with question marks all over.14. Los Angeles Chargers (2–1)
With Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert facing injury, backup Taylor Heinicke will need to look like he did in Washington if called upon again. The Chargers defense has been solid with 20 or fewer points allowed in each of the first three games.15. Atlanta Falcons (1–2)
Atlanta threatened to beat the Chiefs, but a late call involving tight end Kyle Pitts didn’t go in the Falcons’ favor. That said, the Falcons need a strong stretch with a slate of NFC South opponents for the next three weeks.16. Baltimore Ravens (1–2)
The Ravens officially unleashed running back Derrick Henry in Week 3 and it paid off. However, the Ravens giving up 19 points in the fourth quarter against the Cowboys is cause for concern.17. Dallas Cowboys (1–2)
Dallas remains in a tailspin since an opening-week win at Cleveland. The Cowboys have allowed 72 points in the past two games, and the offense remains one-dimensional with minimal rushing.18. Washington Commanders (2–1)
Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels looks like an early favorite for Rookie of the Year amid his team’s 2–1 start. Daniels was nearly perfect with 21–23 passing for 254 yards, two touchdown passes, and one rushing touchdown against the Bengals.19. Cleveland Browns (1–2)
Cleveland arguably has more questions than answers after falling to the New York Giants. Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has taken 16 sacks in just three games, and the non-running back has more than 145 yards thus far.20. Los Angeles Rams (1–2)
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford still has it, but a bevy of injuries may be too much to overcome. The Rams defense remains suspect amid 24 or more points allowed in every game this season.21. Arizona Cardinals (1–2)
The Cardinals made things tough for the Lions as rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. continues to shine. Arizona’s defense meanwhile quietly has nine sacks and 23 tackles for loss thus far.22. Denver Broncos (1–2)
Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix led his team to a win for the first time this season. The Broncos get another tough test with the Jets next, and Denver’s defense took a hit with Alex Singleton’s season-ending ACL tear.23. Cincinnati Bengals (0–3)
Joe Burrow has five touchdown passes amid a 70.9 percent completion rate and no interceptions, but his team has yet to win a game. The Bengals defense and running game need to find answers fast in Week 4.24. New York Giants (1–2)
The Giants found a strong connection between quarterback Daniel Jones and wide receiver Malik Nabers. New York’s pass rush has been tough along the way with 14 sacks.25. Indianapolis Colts (1–2)
Second-year Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson continues to struggle amid six interceptions, but his team found a way to win in Week 3. Colts running back Jonathan Taylor still looks like one of the best in the league with 261 yards and three touchdowns already.26. Las Vegas Raiders (1–2)
Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew has been taking hits to a tune of 11 sacks in three games, and the running game averages 2.8 yards per carry. The defense hasn’t done much more amid one takeaway and 80 points allowed already.27. New England Patriots (1–2)
The Patriots’ offensive woes continue at least in the passing game with just one touchdown from quarterback Jacoby Brissett. New England’s defense has been solid at times amid eight sacks and five forced fumbles, but it’s not enough to carry the offense.28. Chicago Bears (1–2)
Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams is off to a rough start amid four interceptions and enduring 13 sacks. The Bears defense has meanwhile shone potential with 17 tackles for loss and four interceptions.29. Carolina Panthers (1–2)
Carolina found a potential answer in backup quarterback Andy Dalton, and he gets to face his old team next. The Panthers defense still has a lot to prove amid 31.7 points and 360 yards allowed per game.30. Miami Dolphins (1–2)
Miami’s quarterback woes continue with an injury to Skylar Thompson. The Dolphins defense will also need to get back on track after giving up 74 points during the past two weeks.31. Jacksonville Jaguars (0–3)
The Jaguars have given up 12 sacks and four fumbles on offense this season. Jacksonville’s defense meanwhile has made plays amid 19 tackles for loss and 12 pass deflections but no takeaways.32. Tennessee Titans (0–3)
Second-year Titans quarterback Will Levis continues to struggle amid five interceptions, and the offense has three fumbles lost. Meanwhile, the Titans defense has one takeaway all season.
