Source: FOX Sports
Summary
Five NFL teams — the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Las Vegas Raiders and Minnesota Vikings — are 3-0 to start the 2026 season. According to FOX Sports Research, 73.3% of teams that started 3-0 over the last 10 years made the playoffs. Analysts like Steven Ruiz, Ben Arthur, Eric Williams, Greg Auman and Henry McKenna evaluate the legitimacy of each team’s start. The Bills and Chiefs are seen as strong contenders, while the Raiders and Vikings are considered surprises. The 49ers are praised for overcoming injuries, and the Vikings are noted for their strong defense without a consistent quarterback.
Our Reading
This one felt recognizable early.
The Bills and Chiefs are still the standard.
The Raiders and Vikings are the new names in the 3-0 club.
Everyone’s talking about the defense, but no one’s sure if it lasts.
The real test starts when the easy wins stop coming.
Buffalo Bills: The New Standard
The Bills are 3-0 and looking like a Super Bowl contender. Josh Allen has taken his game to another level, and the defense under Jim Leonhard is playing better than ever. The offensive line is still solid, and the run game is taking pressure off Allen. The Bills have the pieces to make a deep playoff run, but the question remains: can they keep it up when the games get harder?
Steven Ruiz says this is the best chance the Bills have to get over the Super Bowl hump. The defense is more aggressive, and the offense is clicking. But the real test is whether the team can maintain its performance when the pressure is on.
The Bills are the team fans have come to expect. They’re built to win, and they’re doing it. But the real question is whether they can keep it going when the games get tougher.
For now, the Bills are the team to beat. But the NFL is unpredictable, and a 3-0 start doesn’t guarantee anything.
Buffalo is the team that has the look of a champion. But the real test is still ahead.
Kansas City Chiefs: Mahomes and Walker
The Chiefs are 3-0 and looking like a Super Bowl contender. Patrick Mahomes is back from injury and playing at a high level. His completion rate, yards and touchdowns are all impressive. But it’s not just Mahomes — running back Kenneth Walker III is making a huge impact.
Walker’s presence has changed the Chiefs’ offense. He’s forcing safeties to drop into the box, which opens up the pass game. That’s helping players like Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice find success. Walker is also leading the league in rushing yards and missed tackles forced.
The Chiefs are ranked second in total offense and tied for seventh in scoring. Their defense is also performing well, ranking third in points allowed and fourth in yards allowed per game. The combination of Mahomes, Walker and a strong defense makes Kansas City a real threat.
The Chiefs are the team that fans have come to expect. They’re built to win, and they’re doing it. But the real question is whether they can keep it going when the games get tougher.
Kansas City is the team that has the look of a champion. But the real test is still ahead.
San Francisco 49ers: Injuries and Resilience
The 49ers are 3-0 despite losing key players to injury. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has a history of patching holes and making it work. This year, Brock Purdy is the frontrunner for MVP, and new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris has taken over from Robert Saleh.
The 49ers beat the Rams in Australia, proving they can win even without their top players. They have a strong defense and a solid offense, but the question is whether they can keep it up when more players get hurt.
The 49ers have shown they can overcome injuries and still win. But the real test is whether they can maintain their performance when the team is at full strength.
San Francisco is the team that has the look of a champion. But the real test is still ahead.
The 49ers are the team that fans have come to expect. They’re built to win, and they’re doing it. But the real question is whether they can keep it going when the games get tougher.
Las Vegas Raiders: A Surprise Start
The Raiders are 3-0 and considered a surprise. Kirk Cousins has been solid, and the defense has been a surprise. Linebacker Nakobe Dean has three forced fumbles, and rookie corner Hezekiah Masses has three interceptions in the last two games.
But the Raiders are in a tough division with the 3-0 Chiefs and 2-1 Broncos. Their next four games are against those teams, and they could struggle. They also have tough games against the Bills and Rams.
The Raiders are on a good run, but the real test is whether they can keep it up when the games get harder. They have five games left against teams in the bottom 10 of the FOX Sports Power Rankings, which could help them reach the playoffs.
The Raiders are the team that fans have come to expect. They’re built to win, and they’re doing it. But the real question is whether they can keep it going when the games get tougher.
Las Vegas is the team that has the look of a champion. But the real test is still ahead.
Minnesota Vikings: Defense Without a Star QB
The Vikings are 3-0 despite having Kyler Murray as their quarterback. Murray has played just one complete game and hasn’t been spectacular, but that’s the point. He’s a facilitator, not a star. The real strength of the team is the defense.
The Vikings’ defense has the second-fewest points allowed and the most sacks. Brian Flores is the coach who has this team firing. His game plans are tough for quarterbacks to solve, and the defense is playing well.
The Vikings are the team that fans have come to expect. They’re built to win, and they’re doing it. But the real question is whether they can keep it going when the games get tougher.
Minnesota is the team that has the look of a champion. But the real test is still ahead.
The Vikings are the team that fans have come to expect. They’re built to win, and they’re doing it. But the real question is whether they can keep it going when the games get tougher.
