{"id":3160,"date":"2016-10-01T08:00:59","date_gmt":"2016-10-01T12:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=3160"},"modified":"2016-09-30T21:20:37","modified_gmt":"2016-10-01T01:20:37","slug":"five-unbeaten-nfl-teams-contenders-pretenders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2016\/10\/01\/five-unbeaten-nfl-teams-contenders-pretenders\/","title":{"rendered":"The Five Unbeaten NFL Teams: Contenders or Pretenders?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Through the first three weeks of the young 2016 NFL season, only five teams are still without a loss. The Minnesota Vikings<\/strong> and the Baltimore Ravens<\/strong> have been sparked by veteran quarterback play, while the New England Patriots<\/strong>, the Denver Broncos<\/strong> and the Philadelphia Eagles<\/strong> have all started rookies under center. Who are the contenders, and who are the pretenders?<\/p>\n

The Five Unbeaten NFL Teams: Contenders or Pretenders<\/h2>\n

New England Patriots: Contenders<\/h3>\n

The first game of 2016 was the first time the Patriots had started a season without Tom Brady<\/a><\/strong> at quarterback since 2001. Almost four weeks later, they are 3-0. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo<\/a><\/strong> was the big story through two games, throwing for 496 yards, four touchdowns, zero interceptions, and a league-leading 119.0 QB rating.<\/p>\n

But Garoppolo took a big hit towards the end of the week two game against Miami, and MRIs revealed a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett<\/a><\/strong>, a third-string rookie, was slotted to start four days later in a Thursday Night Football showdown against the Houston Texans<\/strong>. The Patriots were once again in a world of uncertainty.<\/p>\n

Now, a week removed from the Houston game, things are looking up again. Brissett, running back LeGarette Blount<\/strong> and the Patriots defense embarrassed the Texans 27-0 last Thursday in primetime. With Tom Brady waiting in the wings to return from a four-game suspension, everything looks in place for New England to make another Super Bowl push.<\/p>\n

Baltimore Ravens: Pretenders<\/h3>\n

A year removed from an 0-3 start, the Baltimore Ravens are undefeated and looking to re-emerge as a perennial AFC power. But are they legit?<\/p>\n

The signs say no. So far, the Ravens have beaten the Buffalo Bills<\/strong> by six, the Cleveland Browns<\/strong> by five, and the Jacksonville Jaguars<\/strong> by two. Those teams are a combined 1-8, and all of them have yet to accumulate 1,000 yards of offense this year. The defense has looked stout, but against who?<\/p>\n

For one of the better passing offenses in the game, it has not been an ideal start. Speedsters Mike Wallace<\/a><\/strong> and Breshad Perriman<\/a><\/strong> have combined for just 15 catches and 265 yards through three weeks. Quarterback Joe Flacco<\/a><\/strong> has thrown four interceptions to just three touchdowns. His 77.4 QBR ranks 26th<\/sup> among qualified starters.<\/p>\n

The Ravens have yet to play a winning team. Despite how the standings look now, they will fall to Cincinnati<\/strong> and Pittsburgh<\/strong> when the games get important down the stretch.<\/p>\n

Denver Broncos: Contenders<\/h3>\n

After thoroughly beating the Panthers<\/strong> in Super Bowl 50, few thought a Peyton Manning<\/a><\/strong>-less Broncos team would make much noise in 2016.<\/p>\n

But they have proved everyone wrong. The defense has once again been top-tier, showcased in a victorious, season-opening Super Bowl 50 rematch with Carolina. Led by Super Bowl 50 MVP\u00a0Von Miller<\/a><\/strong>, the Broncos\u2019 defense is top tem in nearly every major defensive statistic to start the year.<\/p>\n

Perhaps the biggest story for Denver has been seventh-round pick quarterback Trevor Siemian<\/a><\/strong>. After beating out veteran Mark Sanchez<\/a><\/strong> and fellow rookie Paxton Lynch<\/strong> for the starting job, Siemian has delivered. His best performance came Week Three against Cincinnati, when he threw for 312 yards and four touchdowns in a 29-17 win.<\/p>\n

The Broncos have barely missed a beat since their title run last season. With a well-rounded offense and a fearsome defense, Denver looks ready to continue to battle for the top spot in the AFC.<\/p>\n

Philadelphia Eagles: Pretenders<\/h3>\n

So far, 2016 second-overall draft pick Carson Wentz<\/a><\/strong> has dazzled at quarterback, and the Eagles are unbeaten. The Wentzylvania t-shirts are already in production.<\/p>\n

Wentz has made good choices with the football, minimizing his mistakes. On the other side of the ball, the defense has wreaked havoc on teams, most notably holding the high-powered Pittsburgh Steelers to three points last Sunday. So how could they be pretenders?<\/p>\n

Like Baltimore, the Eagles have not played enough good teams. The Steelers are a playoff contender, but Philadelphia\u2019s other two previous opponents, the Chicago Bears<\/strong> and the Browns, are both winless, and have a miniscule chance of even sniffing the postseason.<\/p>\n

Both the offense and the defense have been good, but there are much taller hurdles to come in a competitive NFC East. Even if they reach the playoffs, Philadelphia\u2019s chances against defenses like Carolina\u2019s and Seattle\u2019s<\/strong> are slim.<\/p>\n

The Minnesota Vikings: Contenders<\/h3>\n

Once again, the Minnesota Vikings have been ravaged by injury. Star running back Adrian Peterson<\/a><\/strong> was just placed on the 8-week injured reserve, and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater<\/a>\u2019s<\/strong> season ended before it even began. Yet, they are 3-0. How?<\/p>\n

The defense has been stellar. They have allowed just 40 points and 885 yards of total offense over three games. Led by veterans at every position, this is a defense that can stop teams in many ways, and can eliminate a team\u2019s best option from the get-go.<\/p>\n

Quarterback Sam Bradford<\/a><\/strong> has also been phenomenal since coming over in a trade with Philadelphia. He has not thrown an interception, and has a quarterback rating of 107.8. With very few options on offense, he has led the Vikings to victory over the fierce defenses of the Cardinals and the Seahawks. Stefon Diggs<\/a><\/strong>, one of the better big-play threats in football, has 325 yards on just 20 catches, and has gotten the better of two All-Pro corners, Patrick Peterson<\/a> <\/strong>and Richard Sherman<\/a><\/strong>, so far.<\/p>\n

The Vikings have already proven they can keep up with the best teams in the league. In what looks like it may be a down year for the NFC, the Vikings may finally reach their first Super Bowl since 1977.<\/p>\n

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