SUBSCRIBE to our emails here.

10 undefeated teams left — separating the contenders from the pretenders

There are 10 undefeated teams left in the NFL after the first two weeks of the 2025 season. Interestingly, each division has just one remaining unbeaten team, except the NFC West, which has three. Today we’re going to separate the ones who could go on serious runs come playoff time, and the others who have been a bit lucky to this point and could fizzle out as the year unfolds.

Contenders

Philadelphia Eagles: Might as well start with the most obvious. The Eagles have been to two of the last three Super Bowls, winning last year’s convincingly. They have no weaknesses in their roster, and have a great blend of young and veteran talent. Perhaps another team knocks Philadelphia off in the postseason, but it will be among the final remaining in the NFC.

Buffalo Bills: Whether or not they can finally get over the hump and into the Super Bowl remains to be seen, but the Bills should have no problem winning the AFC East and advancing deep into the postseason. Buffalo is a complete and experienced team that is led by reigning MVP quarterback Josh Allen, who is hungry to complete his legacy by winning a championship.

Green Bay Packers: Arguably no other team in the NFL has looked as impressive as Green Bay through the first two weeks. Quarterback Jordan Love is in complete control of the offense, and tight end Tucker Kraft is on his way to a breakout season. The Packers’ defense was already solid before acquiring linebacker Micah Parsons, and has now reached elite status thanks to that move.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs have remained a solid team since QB Tom Brady retired, but their current one, Baker Mayfield, is making a case to be considered among the elite at the position. He has led his team on game-winning touchdown drives in each of the first two games of the season, and has thrown five TDs and zero interceptions along the way. Combine that with a plethora of weapons and a good defense, Tampa Bay is a sleeper Super Bowl contender.

Los Angeles Rams: It’s an “all-in” season for the Rams in 2025, and as long as veteran QB Matthew Stafford can stay healthy, they’ll have a shot. L.A. kicked off the year with a hard fought victory over the Texans, then its offense showed how explosive it can be against the Tennessee Titans in Week 2. Coach Sean McVay knows what it takes to get to the Super Bowl, and has one of the most talented rosters in the league to work with.

Los Angeles Chargers: The Chargers made the cut in the “contenders” category, but they have the most to prove. They have a reputation for either crumbling down the stretch of the regular season, or laying an egg during the playoffs. Still, it’s hard to ignore how well QB Justin Herbert has started the year, and his wide receiver trio of Ladd McConkey, Keenan Allen, and Quintin Johnston look great. L.A. also has playmakers all over its defense.

Pretenders

Cincinnati Bengals: You might think this has everything to do with QB Joe Burrow set to miss several months with a turf toe injury. While that does play a bit of a role, I would have the Bengals in the “pretenders” category even with a healthy Burrow. They rank dead last in the NFL in rushing yards, and the offensive line has already surrendered six sacks. When you also factor in how tough of a division the AFC North is, it’s hard to be very confident in Cincinnati.

Indianapolis Colts: I give the Colts credit for their 2-0 start, and there’s reason to believe that they will be in the mix to make the postseason come January. However, we have to address the elephant in the room. Is QB Daniel Jones really going to maintain the level of play he’s began the year with? I’m going to need to see it for a lot longer than two weeks. Looking around the rest of the AFC South, the Jacksonville Jaguars have shown they are a team on the rise, and it would be foolish to count the Houston Texans out despite their slow start.

Arizona Cardinals: Arizona got a couple of layups to start the season with matchups against the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers, and just narrowly escaped each one with a win. The Cardinals haven’t looked particularly impressive on either side of the ball, and have largely the same roster from last year when they went 8-9. They need to prove themselves against top tier competition.

San Francisco 49ers: The Niners may be the toughest remaining unbeaten team to gauge. On one hand, they had an impressive Week 1 road victory over the Seattle Seahawks, and won again in Week 2 with backup Mac Jones starting at QB. San Francisco is tough and well coached, but the numerous injuries it is dealing with are cause for concern. The Niners could manage to make the postseason, but aren’t among the elite teams of the NFC.

Only A to Z Sports newsletter subscribers get the rest of this email, which has the latest NFL news and more.

Don’t miss out on our next full newsletter: SUBSCRIBE to our FREE weekly NFL newsletter to receive updates on your favorite NFL team and the rest of the league straight to your inbox.