Five NFL Teams Open 3-0: Which Starts Will Last?
Five NFL Teams Open 3-0: Which Starts Will Last?
Five NFL teams reached 3-0 through the opening weeks of the 2026 season: the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Las Vegas Raiders and Minnesota Vikings. For Buffalo and Kansas City, the fast start extends a pattern both franchises have shown in recent seasons, while San Francisco's run follows an opening-week victory over the Los Angeles Rams. The Raiders and Vikings represent the larger surprises, with both teams already collecting multiple upset wins.
A 3-0 record does not guarantee a postseason berth. According to FOX Sports Research, 33 of 45 teams that started 3-0 over the past 10 years - 73.3% - went on to make the playoffs. Last season, four of six teams that opened 3-0 reached the postseason. History suggests at least one of this year's five fast starters could miss out. futsal bets
Buffalo's start centers on quarterback Josh Allen, who is getting the ball out faster and reading coverages more effectively than in past seasons, according to analysis from FOX Sports' Steven Ruiz. New defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard has installed a scheme built around interior lineman Deone Walker and edge rusher Greg Rousseau, giving the Bills a defensive identity distinct from Sean McDermott's previous approach. Kansas City's surge follows Patrick Mahomes' return from a torn ACL and LCL suffered in December; he has completed 68.4% of his passes for 912 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions with a 108.9 rating through three games. Running back Kenneth Walker III, the reigning Super Bowl MVP, leads the league with 360 rushing yards and 34 missed tackles forced, per Pro Football Focus, numbers that have opened space for Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice in the passing game. The Chiefs rank second in total offense at 416.3 yards per game and third in points allowed at 16.7.
San Francisco's win over the Rams in Australia came despite the 49ers' familiar pattern of in-season injuries, with Brock Purdy - now considered an early MVP candidate - leading an offense that has absorbed the loss of key contributors in years past under head coach Kyle Shanahan. New defensive coordinator Raheem Morris has replaced Robert Saleh without a drop-off, while rookie running back Kaelon Black has spelled Christian McCaffrey. Las Vegas has overachieved behind quarterback Kirk Cousins and a defense led by linebacker Nakobe Dean, who has three forced fumbles, and rookie cornerback Hezekiah Masses, who has intercepted three passes over his last two games. Minnesota's start has come largely without reliance on quarterback play; Kyler Murray has played just one complete game, with defensive coordinator Brian Flores' unit - the league's most productive in sacks with 14, led by Dallas Turner, Andrew Van Ginkel and Blake Cashman - carrying the team defensively while Murray settles into a system role.
The Raiders face the toughest remaining test, with four games left against the 3-0 Chiefs and the 2-1 Broncos, plus an upcoming stretch against Kansas City, New England, Buffalo and the Rams. Las Vegas does have five remaining games against teams currently ranked in the bottom 10 of the FOX Sports Power Rankings - Cleveland, the Jets, the Chargers, Arizona and Tennessee - which could determine whether the Raiders' turnaround under head coach Klint Kubiak translates into a playoff berth. Buffalo and Kansas City appear positioned to sustain their starts, while San Francisco's depth will again be tested as the season progresses.
