Ranking the NFL's 3-0 teams: Top strengths, weaknesses, predicting how long the Chiefs and others will stay undefeated

Three weeks of the 2024 NFL season are almost over, and there are still a few teams clinging to pristine records. At least one of the teams is no big surprise: The defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs are off to a 3-0 start for the sixth time in coach Andy Reid's tenure. Others, however, are defying expectations, literally.

It remains a long season, but odds also say that a 3-0 start bodes well for a playoff appearance, as about 75% of 3-0 clubs have made the playoffs since 1970. What awaits this year's flawless teams? Below, we've identified their biggest strengths and weaknesses and predict when – or if – their perfect record will fall:

Kansas City Chiefs

Victories: vs Ravens, @ Bengals, @ Falcons

Top strength: Crucial execution. Steve Spagnuolo's defense has remained physical, but Patrick Mahomes has come through in crunch time despite a banged-up supporting cast now missing leading ball carrier Isiah Pacheco. Rashee Rice's continued ascension to No. 1 wide receiver has left her a mismatch after the catch.

Biggest weakness: Durability. Mahomes has had two starting left tackles this year and most of the reserves up front are injured. The backfield is missing rookie Carson Steele because Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire are unavailable and Rice is forced to play almost further out with Marquise Brown potentially out for the entire season.

Forecast: The Chiefs beat the Los Angeles Chargers (Week 5) and the New Orleans Saints (Week 6), narrowly defeated the San Francisco 49ers (Week 8) after the bye period to improve their record to 7-0 before suffering a surprise loss to Todd Bowles' defense and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9.

Victories: @ Giants, vs 49ers, vs Texans

Top strength: Brian Flores' frenetic defense. Sam Darnold has certainly exceeded expectations, distributing the ball with excellent control in a deep Kevin O'Connell offense, but there is arguably no more stifling “defense” in the NFL right now. Flores' roster of physical, versatile veterans keeps opposing quarterbacks on their toes.

Biggest weakness: The threat of a collapse. Minnesota is often at risk of another blow. Could it be that Darnold returns to risky shots if the Vikings are actually behind in a game? Or that O'Connell's lineup loses another key playmaker to injury? Right now, there is no glaring gap, which speaks to the work this group has done.

Forecast: In Week 4, the Vikings see the return of Jordan Love to Lambeau Field, where the physicality of Josh Jacobs and the wiry defense under Xavier McKinney ultimately lead to Minnesota's first loss of the season.

Victories: @ Falcons, @ Broncos, vs. Chargers

Top strength: Mike Tomlin's defense, as always. Justin Fields has been controlling the ball well as the backup quarterback (and soon to be permanent?), but Steel City still relies on a tenacious “defense” with TJ Watt at the helm. There is overwhelming physicality at every level of the unit, which is why they allow just 8.7 points per game.

Biggest weakness: Efficiency in the running game. Despite all the ground-and-pound labels they're getting under new coordinator Arthur Smith, this group is averaging just 3.6 yards per run, and that's with one of the NFL's most athletic signal-callers, Fields. Injuries on the offensive line aren't helping matters, and could cause even bigger problems in the final stretch of the season.

Forecast: The Steelers put up a tough fight against the Indianapolis Colts (Week 4), forcing Anthony Richardson into numerous turnovers, and improve their record to 4-0, but they can't quite keep up with the firepower of the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5.

Victories: vs Broncos, @ Patriots, vs Dolphins

Top strength: Mike Macdonald's defensive sense. Seattle entered 2024 with underrated talent at every level of the D, and the former Baltimore Ravens coordinator has utilized it to the max. Geno Smith has also been crucial in crunch time, but he can take risks as the defense posts top-five numbers in points and yards allowed.

Biggest weakness: Health. Smith has remained upright, but his O-line is once again under physical strain and the backfield is also without Kenneth Walker III. Add to that a few injuries to key defensive players like Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy, and the Seahawks are already battling the war of attrition.

Forecast: The Seahawks went head-to-head with the Detroit Lions in Week 4 of Monday Night Football, but ended up suffering their first loss in Macdonald's rookie season at the helm.