Two NFL Teams Remain Undefeated
After four weeks of the NFL season, just two teams remain undefeated and neither should come as a surprise.
The Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles and the five-time defending AFC East champions Buffalo Bills are both 4-0.
Both the Bills and Eagles have had scares through the first month, but both remained unscathed.
Philadelphia’s Close Calls
Philadelphia struggled in the NFL’s season opener against Dallas where a Miles Sanders fumble and some critical drops by CeeDee Lamb led to the Cowboys downfall. A rare Travis Kelce drop at the goal line that was picked off allowed the Eagles to win in Kansas City. They came back from a 26-7 deficit to beat the Rams two weeks ago and held off nemesis Tampa Bay Sunday to make it 20 wins in their last 21 games, including the playoffs and Super Bowl.
Buffalo Keeps Rolling
Buffalo needed the comeback of all comebacks to knock off Baltimore on the opening Sunday night game then rolled past division rivals New England and the New York Jets. Sunday New Orleans gave the Bills more than they expected, but Buffalo won at home for the 13th straight time.
What’s Next for Philly and Buffalo?
Where do both teams go from here? Could both be undefeated when they meet the second to last game of the season?
The Eagles host Denver on a short week this Sunday then play the Giants twice sandwiched around a trip to Minnesota and perhaps a date with their old QB Carson Wentz. Unless there’s an upset that could be 8-0.
At Green Bay on NFL Monday Night Football, Nov. 10 could be interesting. But if the Packers defense plays the way it did Sunday night in Dallas, the Eagles will roll. Detroit six days later won’t be easy, either. If Philly can get past those two NFC North teams they get Dallas and Chicago before a trip to the Los Angeles Chargers, Dec. 8.
Buffalo could continue on a roll as well. The Bills host New England this week then have road games at Atlanta and Carolina before coming home for a game with rival Kansas City, Nov. 2. The Bills haven’t had a problem beating the Chiefs — in the regular season. After KC it’s Miami and Tampa Bay before two interesting games at Houston and at Pittsburgh, Nov. 20 and Nov. 30.
On the Flip Side
Going into the NFL Monday Night Football game, four teams remained winless — Tennessee, New Orleans, Miami and the New York Jets. The Dolphins won 27-21 to get their first win, and heap more pressure on the Jets.
How does it look going forward for the winless quartet?
Tennessee, which is 0-4 for the first time since 2009, has a tough road. The Titans probably won’t be favored until they play New Orleans, Dec. 28 and maybe not even then. In order the Titans face Arizona and Las Vegas on the road, New England, at Indy, the Chargers and Texans at home, Seattle, Jacksonville, at Cleveland, at San Francisco and Kansas City before they host the Saints.
New Orleans, which is 0-4 for the first time since 2012, doesn’t have it quite as tough. The Saints play the Giants this week followed by New England, at Chicago, Tampa Bay, at the Rams, at Carolina, Atlanta, at Miami, at Tampa Bay, Carolina and the Jets.
Road Warrior
Seattle head coach Mike McDonald is 9-1 in his first 10 road games after winning in Arizona Thursday night. That’s the second best start ever for a head coach. Only San Francisco’s George Seifert, who went 10-0 on the road to start his career, was better.
Speaking of the Seahawks, they are 3-1 for the third straight season. The last two seasons, however, ended with them out of the playoffs.
Atlanta’s Big Three Shine
Finally: Atlanta spent three NFL first-round draft picks on skill players, wide receiver Drake London, tight end Kyle Pitts and running back Bijan Robinson. Sunday’s 34-27 win over Washington was the first time all three scored touchdowns in the same game. All three had good games as well. London caught eight passes for 110 yards, Pitts was 5 for 70 and Robinson ran for 75 yards on 18 carries.
Dart Makes History
Jaxson Dart won his first start as the Giants upset the Chargers Sunday. Dart also became the first QB to beat a 3-0, or better, team in his first start since another Giants QB Phil Simms beat the 5-0 Bucs back in 1979. Dart also became the first QB since Patrick Mahomes to lead an 80-plus yard TD drive on the first drive of his first start.
