2025 NFL Contenders or Pretenders: Which 3-0 teams are legit?
Since 1990, teams that start the season 3-0 make the postseason at about a 75 per cent rate. When the playoffs expanded to 14 teams in 2020, that number increased to 84 per cent.
Six teams have started the year 3-0 and look playoff bound. However, making the playoffs and legitimately contending for the Super Bowl are two different things.
Let’s look at the contenders and the pretenders of all six 3-0 teams.
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Buffalo Bills
There’s no question the Bills are legit. They entered the season as the Super Bowl favourites and that’s where they remain after three games. Reigning league MVP Josh Allen and Buffalo will run away with the AFC East division and they should secure the AFC’s top seed and beneficial home field advantage in the playoffs.
Verdict: Contender
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts led by Daniel Jones are no doubt the biggest surprise on this list. After being cast aside by the Giants last year, Jones is the only quarterback in the last 75 years to start the year 3-0 with a 70 per cent completion rate, 850+ total yards, six total TDs and no turnovers. Indy will likely win the AFC South, but reality will hit when they face a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
Verdict: Pretender
Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert and the Chargers have looked great in year two under Jim Harbaugh. L.A. is the first team ever to beat three divisional opponents in the first three weeks of the season, which gives them a big leg up to finally dethrone Kansas City in the AFC West. If Herbert continues playing like an MVP, this team could do damage in the playoffs.
Verdict: Contender
Philadelphia Eagles
The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles deserve more respect than being tied with Green Bay for the third-shortest Super Bowl odds. Jalen Hurts doesn’t put up crazy stats, but Philadelphia has won 17 straight games that Hurts has started and finished. If Hurts is healthy, the Eagles are dangerous.
Verdict: Contender
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have been absolutely riddled with injuries. Brock Purdy, Jauan Jenkins, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle have all missed games and Nick Bosa is done for the year with a torn ACL. I also don’t have faith Christian McCaffrey can stay healthy. San Francisco managed to get off to a good start, but it’s only a matter of time before injuries sink their ship.
Verdict: Pretender
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield’s career resurgence in Tampa Bay is all the proof you need, to see that Cleveland is a quarterback sinkhole. Mayfield has produced points for the Bucs despite the loss of receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and the team should win the terrible NFC South. However, Tampa has flirted with losing all three games this season and late comebacks are not a way to consistently win in the playoffs.
Verdict: Pretender