Ranking 3-0 NFL teams: Strengths, weaknesses, predicting whether Bills, Kings, others remain undefeated.

Three weeks into the 2024 NFL season are in the books, and we still have several teams hanging on to spotless records. At least one team isn’t much of a surprise, as the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs are off to a 3-0 start in head coach Andy Reid’s sixth season. Others, however, resist the distractions.

It’s still a long time, but odds also mean that 3-0 starts are good for a playoff appearance, with nearly 75% of 3-0 teams going on to make the postseason from 1970. What lies ahead for this year’s spotless teams? Below, we identify the main strengths and weaknesses, and predict when — or if — their perfect record will fall:

To win: vs. Cardinals, @ Dolphins, vs. Jaguars

High power: Josh Allen. What else can we say? The guy has always been an MVP-caliber shooter, but even with an updated receiving corps, he’s been dominated out of the gate. No one holds it with much confidence, and weapons like James Cook and Dalton Kincaid are probably still the lowest in the league.

Disadvantages above: Healthy self-defense. Sean McDermott’s team had no problem walking past Trevor Lawrence and Co. on the road in Jacksonville, but with Matt Milano ruled out at linebacker, injuries to starters like Terrel Bernard and Taron Johnson should be looked at. Otherwise, the Terms register as a whole package.

Prophecy: The Bills surprisingly survived the Baltimore Ravens in a thrilling Week 4 game to improve to 4-0, but fell to CJ Stroud in another AFC playoff appearance in Week 5.

Kansas City Chiefs

To win: against the Ravens, @Bengals, @Falcons

High power: Clutch operation. Steve Spagnuolo’s defense is still physical, but Patrick Mahomes is having a tough time even without a backup quarterback in Isiah Pacheco running the ball. Rashee Rice’s continued emergence as the No.

Disadvantages above: Lasting. Mahomes has had two starts at left tackle this season, and much of the front bench has been upgraded. The backfield is made up of rookie Carson Steele with Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire unavailable, and Rice will likely have to make plays out wide with Marquise Brown sidelined for the rest of the season.

Prophecy: The Chiefs beat the Los Angeles Chargers (Week 5) and New Orleans Saints (Week 6), then beat the San Francisco 49ers (Week 8) after a walk, improving to 7-0 before the loss it’s Todd Bowles’ defense. Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9.

To win: @Giants, vs. 49ers, vs. Texans

High power: Strong defense by Brian Flores. Sam Darnold has certainly exceeded expectations, distributing the ball with superior command in Kevin O’Connell’s deep offense, but there may not be a stifling “D” in the NFL just yet. Flores’ combination of physical, versatile defenders has been surprisingly consistent against quarterbacks.

Disadvantages above: The threat of bankruptcy. Often in Minnesota, the other shoe is waiting to drop. Could Darnold go back to throwing dangerously if/when the Vikings make the playoffs? Or is O’Connell’s team losing another key player to injury? Now, there is no bright hole, which speaks of the work that this team has done.

Prophecy: The Vikings proved when Jordan Love returned to Lambeau Field in Week 4, where the body of Josh Jacobs and a strong defense led by Xavier McKinney ultimately resulted in Minnesota’s first loss of the season.

To win: @Falcons, @Broncos, vs. Chargers

High power: Mike Tomlin’s defense, as usual. Justin Fields handles the ball well as a fill-in quarterback (and soon to be permanent?), but the Steel City is still built on a solid “D,” with TJ Watt leading the way. Every position on the unit is very physical, so they only allow 8.7 points per game.

Disadvantages above: Quick ability. For all the ground labels and pounds they’re gaining under new coordinator Arthur Smith, the team is averaging just 3.6 yards per carry, and is one of the show callers. athletics in the NFL on the Fields. Injuries up front don’t help, and could cause serious problems later in the season.

Prophecy: The Steelers endured a poor layup against the Indianapolis Colts (Week 4), forcing Anthony Richardson into multiple turnovers, to improve to 4-0, but couldn’t match the firepower of the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5 .

To win: vs. Broncos, @Patriots, vs. Dolphins

High power: Defense of Mike Macdonald. Seattle entered 2024 with less talent at every “D” position, and the former Baltimore Ravens coordinator added to it. Geno Smith also made a tough decision, but he can take advantage because the defense is posting top-five numbers in points and yards allowed.

Disadvantages above: Good health. Smith remains upright, but his O-line is also under physical pressure, and the backfield is also without Kenneth Walker III. Throw in some injuries to key defensive standouts like Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy, and the Seahawks are already in contention for a battle.

Prophecy: The Seahawks take the Detroit Lions to the wire in Week 4 of “Monday Night Football”, but end up losing for the first time in Macdonald’s rookie season on the staff.