We have 4 winless teams and 4 undefeated teams in PML through three weeks of the season. We are going to focus on who has the best odds of the winless teams to make the playoffs and who is least likely to make the playoffs out of the undefeated teams.
In the NFL, there is roughly a 76% chance that if a team starts out 3-0 they are going to make the playoffs.
Undefeated Teams –
Cleveland Browns – The Cleveland Browns have the most impressive resume of all the unbeatens. They have victories over the Ravens and the Bengals, both former playoff teams. Their third victory was against the Patriots, while not as impressive, they did put up 47 points and have the league’s high scoring offense. Deshaun Watson has thrown 183 interceptions in his PML career, but this season he has thrown 5 touchdowns to just 1 lone interception. The Browns are the favourites to win the AFC North and barring a disastrous breakdown, they should make a deep playoff run this season.
Dallas Cowboys – 10-7, 9-8, and 9-8. These are the records for the Dallas Cowboys seasons 1-3. A very underwhelming cycle so far for the Cowboys had led to doubters amongst the team’s fanbase, but their impressive 3-0 start this season has rejuvenated Cowboy fans all across the country. A marquee victory over last season’s Super Bowl champs is very crucial to the likelihood that Dallas stays on the path to the playoffs. The team is led by rookie quarterback Max Garcia, while his 2 touchdown to 4 interception ratio isn’t ideal, it’s the rushing attack led by TreVeyon Henderson that has really pushed this offense to being one of the best in the league.
Las Vegas Raiders – The Raiders have one of the best defenses statistically through three weeks, though one of those games were against the CPU Dolphins. Although holding the All-Madden CPU to 3 points is a pretty impressive feat on its own. I think the Raiders will win their division well before the season is over, in fact, I predict that they will clinch up the division by week 16. The Chargers and the Broncos have shown glimpses of stardom, but they lack the consistency to perform week in and week out.
San Francisco 49ers – 3-0 is 3-0, right? This cycle for the 49ers has been lackluster at best. The team was gutted of all of its superstar players and the team has had three seasons worth of top draft picks, but in their impressive start, two of the three victories have come over 0-3 teams. I think Ant has improved drastically, but the back half of his schedule is a lot harder than the top half and I can see this team going on a streak of losses that knocks them out of playoff contention.
In the NFL, there is roughly a 3% chance that if a team starts out 0-3 they are going to make the playoffs.
Winless Teams –
Minnesota Vikings – Cade Klubnik, Matthew Stafford, Zach Wilson, Derek Carr, Devin Leary, and Kirk Cousins; these aren’t quarterbacks that are going to drive fear in the eyes of a defense. However, these are the quarterbacks that have played for the Minnesota Vikings this cycle. Kirk Cousins led the Vikings to a 10-7 record in season 1 and the combination of Leary/Wilson led the Vikings to a 10-7 record in season 2, but in season 3 the Vikings to a step back and finished the season at 6-11 and aren’t starting very strongly this season. Rumours are spewing that the Vikings just cannot find a leader that suits their playstyle at the quarterback position. The Vikings definitely expected more out of this cycle, but their down spiral seems to have bled over from last season. However, they won’t be winless for long with the Pittsburgh Steelers coming into town in week 4.
Washington Commanders – This is the most surprising 0-3 record in the league, I don’t think anyone could have foreseen the Commanders going winless the first three weeks, especially after going 11-6, 13-4, and 10-7 the first three seasons. I think it’s going to be a shaky rest of the season for the Commanders, especially if Sam Howell continues to be so careless with the football. Coach Wimmy has the knowledge and skill players to pull off a magical win streak, but with the multiple former playoff teams and the rest of his division on his schedule, it’s going to take a miracle to bounce back this season.
Pittsburgh Steelers – The real question about the Pittsburgh Steelers is whether or not they’ll have more than 1 win this season. The Steelers drafted the only Superstar development quarterback in the draft, but how does a 73 overall quarterback really help your team in season 4? It doesn’t. Maalik Murphy has already thrown 11 interceptions and is on pace to lose his superstar development trait. I would have liked to see the Steelers turn those first round picks into proven players in the league. Week 5 is the only game on the schedule that the Steelers can be considered on equal terms with, as both teams could enter the game winless. It’s time for the Steelers to play up to their opponents and pull off some upsets as the season progresses.
Atlanta Falcons – The offensive line of the Atlanta Falcons have been decimated by injuries. It’s worth it to note that I don’t think the Falcons would be on this list if not for all the injuries. They have a solid head coach and a roster that features some of the highest rated players in the league. Sitting at 0-3 is very disappointing, but the Falcons have the best chances to string a few wins together and position themselves to contend for the division. IF they make the playoffs, it will have to be by winning the NFC South. Seeing at how you only need 9 wins to win the division, I foresee the Falcons rising above the adversity, and bringing home their first division title of the cycle.
