The AFC’s final undefeated team will be the Bills, Colts, or Chargers — but one particular team has an inside edge to be the last unbeaten standing
Which AFC squad left at 3-0 has the best chance to be the NFL’s final undefeated program?
And then there were six. The NFL has just a half-dozen undefeated teams left standing after the close of the third week of the regular season. But which team will be the last to take a loss? Each team has a compelling case to continue to stay hot. In the AFC, we’ve seen the Buffalo Bills reel off three straight. That’s not a huge surprise.
But the other two teams? The Indianapolis Colts? The Los Angeles Chargers? There’s breakout elements of both teams — and all three have things in their favor. Whether it’s the newness of Daniel Jones, the year two leap of Justin Herbert under Jim Harbaugh or, well, Josh Allen being Josh Allen.
Which AFC squad will outlast the rest with a ‘zero’ in the loss column?
Which AFC franchise has the best chance to be the NFL’s final remaining undefeated team?
The Indianapolis Colts
The Colts being 3-0 feels like a fever dream after the team hadn’t even won their first game on the schedule for over a decade. How long can they keep it up, though? This next week will be a tough task as the Colts hit the road to take on the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams are coming off a tough loss in Week 3 where they appeared to have a win over the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, but a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown at the buzzer flipped the script.
Having to play a team after that kind of loss isn’t ideal for the Colts but if they get past them, they could go on a bit of a run. They play the Las Vegas Raiders and Arizona Cardinals in Week 5 & 6 before having to travel back to Los Angeles to take on the Los Angeles Chargers. My personal guess is the Colts’ undefeated streak will end in LA. Whether that is Week 4 or Week 7? I’m not entirely sure.
— Destin Adams, A to Z Sports
The Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers look primed to be the NFL’s last undefeated team, thanks to a balanced formula of star power and resilience. Justin Herbert has elevated his play to another level, thriving in Jim Harbaugh’s system with poise and efficiency while spreading the ball across the offense. On the other side, Jesse Minter’s defense has been nothing short of dominant, applying constant pressure and forcing opponents into mistakes.
What sets this team apart, though, is its ability to overcome adversity. In Week 3, the Chargers pulled out a last-second win over Denver despite missing Khalil Mack and losing starters Trey Pipkins and Mekhi Becton on the offensive line. Rather than folding, Los Angeles leaned on its depth and toughness to get the job done. With Herbert leading the offense and Minter’s defense stifling opponents, the Chargers have the makeup of a team that can keep its perfect record intact longer than anyone else.
Tough matchups win Weeks 5 & 7 against the Washington Commanders and Indianapolis Colts loom for the Chargers — but they get both teams at home. If the Chargers can take care of business through that matchup with the Colts? Road games in Jacksonville and Kansas City in Weeks 11 & 15 loom late.
— Brentley Weissman, A to Z Sports
The Buffalo Bills
The Bills have a defense that seems to find the right plays late in games and they have perhaps the best player in the NFL with quarterback Josh Allen. With an offense that is capable of pummeling teams and a quarterback that can put on the cape, it takes a very hyper-specific game plan to best the Bills assuming they don’t beat themselves. Buffalo plays their next two at home against the Saints and Patriots before hitting the road for two NFC South matchups with the Falcons and Panthers.
Their most intimidating game on the schedule in the first 10 weeks of the season is a Week 9 date with the Chiefs — and even then, Buffalo has had regular season success against Mahomes and company. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 11 is another game to watch. If the Bills don’t beat themselves, they appear primed to have the longest stretch before the going gets tough.
— Kyle Crabbs, A to Z Sports
The Final Verdict
As Destin and Brentley point out, the Colts and Chargers each have two tough matchups before the Bills get to the heavy-hitting contenders on their schedule. Given the Colts draw of a sour Rams team this weekend and the Chargers getting both Washington (presuming Jayden Daniels is back) and the Colts (who I think are well-built to challenge the Chargers head-to-head), I think the Bills are going to be the AFC’s final undefeated unit.
What could mess things up? Turnovers and third-down defense. If Buffalo gets sloppy offensively and continues to struggle to manufacture stops, they could get toppled in a surprise result and allow someone else to stay unbeaten for longer.
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