Five Teams at 3–0: What Makes Them Tick
Buffalo, Kansas City, San Francisco, Minnesota and Las Vegas all remain unbeaten. They have arrived there in very different ways.
Updated September 29, 2026
Buffalo: a defense that answered
The Bills overcame five turnovers and an early 10-point deficit to beat the Chargers 24–16. After allowing 31 points in each of their first two games, their defense held Los Angeles to 16. Resilience is the trait; ball security remains the warning.
Kansas City: more than one way to win
The Chiefs held Miami to 10 points in a 24–10 victory. Patrick Mahomes remains the organizing force, while a defense capable of controlling a game gives Kansas City another route to a win.
San Francisco: Purdy’s acceleration
Brock Purdy threw four touchdowns and 297 yards against Arizona in a 36–30 win. San Francisco’s 3–0 start includes two NFC West victories. Its offensive precision has been its engine; giving up 30 points shows why every week still presents a new test.
Minnesota: defense and special teams
The Vikings held on 23–16 in Tampa. Their pressure, interceptions and Will Reichard’s kicking supplied the decisive margin while the offense worked through personnel changes. They keep finding contributions across the roster.
Las Vegas: the surprise with a finishing gear
Down 11 in the second half at New Orleans, the Raiders rallied to win 35–27. Kirk Cousins and Brock Bowers helped drive the offense, and late takeaways closed the game. At 3–0 for the first time since 2021, they have earned attention beyond the preseason expectations.
The next test for each identity
An unbeaten record tells us the results, but it hides how much danger each team has already survived. Buffalo cannot plan to overcome five turnovers every week. San Francisco can win a shootout, but the points it conceded to Arizona make defensive control worth watching. Las Vegas has demonstrated a comeback gear, a useful trait that is less comfortable than playing from ahead.
Kansas City and Minnesota offer different lessons: the Chiefs have shown they can lean on defense, while the Vikings have received decisive help beyond their offense. The question over the next month is not which team looks best on a single Sunday. It is which of these supporting strengths remains dependable when an opponent takes away the first option.