Five NFL teams — the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Minnesota Vikings — have begun the 2026 season with a 3-0 record. For the Bills and Chiefs, this early success is becoming a familiar pattern, while the 49ers' strong start, including an upset of the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1, is also within expectations.

However, the Raiders and Vikings stand out as the season's biggest surprises, having each secured multiple upset victories. The Raiders' 3-0 start is particularly noteworthy given they held the No. 1 overall pick in the previous year's draft.

Historically, a 3-0 start does not guarantee a playoff berth. Research indicates that 73.3% of teams that started 3-0 over the past decade made the playoffs, with four of the six teams achieving this feat last season also reaching the postseason. This suggests that at least one of this year's undefeated teams may miss the playoffs.

Buffalo Bills: A Legitimate Contender

The Buffalo Bills' 3-0 start is considered "very real." With Joe Brady in his first year as head coach, the team shows potential to contend for a Super Bowl. Quarterback Josh Allen appears to have elevated his game, demonstrating quicker ball release and improved coverage recognition. The offensive line remains strong, and the run game complements Allen effectively. The defense, under new coordinator Jim Leonhard, is implementing a scheme expected to challenge opposing quarterbacks more than in previous years. The emergence of defensive tackle Deone Walker and the continued development of Greg Rousseau provide a formidable defensive line.

Kansas City Chiefs: Sustained Excellence

Kansas City's 3-0 start is also deemed legitimate, bolstered by Patrick Mahomes' return from injury and strong play. His performance includes a 68.4% completion rate, 912 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and two interceptions through three games. A key factor in their current success is running back Kenneth Walker III, whose dynamic playmaking has opened up the offense and drawn defensive attention, benefiting receivers like Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice. The Chiefs rank second in total offense and seventh in scoring, while their defense is third in points allowed and fourth in yards allowed per game. This strong all-around performance places them firmly in Super Bowl contention.

San Francisco 49ers: Resilient and Strong

The San Francisco 49ers' 3-0 record is viewed as real, despite the team consistently losing key players to injury each week. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has a history of patching up the roster to maintain competitiveness. Quarterback Brock Purdy is an MVP frontrunner, and the defense, under new coordinator Raheem Morris, is performing well. Rookie running back Kaelon Black has provided effective backup for Christian McCaffrey, preserving the star running back for later in the season. The 49ers' ability to overcome injuries and maintain a high level of play, as demonstrated in their season-opening win against the Rams, points to a legitimate contender.

Las Vegas Raiders: A Potential Mirage

Despite their 3-0 start, the Las Vegas Raiders' success is considered potentially "fake." The team has overachieved, with quarterback Kirk Cousins showing strong play and the defense, particularly linebacker Nakobe Dean and rookie corner Hezekiah Masses, providing unexpected sparks. However, the Raiders are in a highly competitive division with the Chiefs and the 2-1 Broncos, and face a challenging upcoming schedule that includes games against the Chiefs, Bills, and Rams. While they are expected to exceed their preseason win total of 5.5, their ability to sustain this success and contend for a wild card spot remains uncertain.

Minnesota Vikings: A Solid Start

The Minnesota Vikings' 3-0 start is evaluated as real, particularly given their success despite inconsistent quarterback play. Kyler Murray has played in only one complete game and has not been spectacular, but has functioned as a system quarterback. The defense, coordinated by Brian Flores, has been a major factor, ranking second in fewest points per game allowed and leading the league in sacks. Flores' defensive schemes have consistently troubled opposing quarterbacks this season.