With the first month of the 2024 NFL season nearly in the books, two teams remain unbeaten. While many could have expected the two-time defending champions to be on the list, there is one surprise. Below we take a look at how the two perfect teams have gotten through their schedules unscathed thus far.
Unless otherwise stated, all stats are courtesy of TruMedia.
NFL’s Remaining Unbeaten Teams
Minnesota Vikings
The most surprising unbeaten are the Minnesota Vikings, who had a preseason win total of 6.5 at all major sportsbooks. But after hanging on for a win at Lambeau Field, the Vikings are more than halfway to hitting that over, becoming the first 4-0 team of the season.
Sam Darnold’s one-year, $10 million contract has rapidly become one of the biggest bargains of the season. Darnold threw three more touchdowns on Sunday, giving him a league-leading 11 for the season. The only other players since the 1970 merger to throw that many in their first four games with a team:
- Patrick Mahomes with Kansas City (13)
- Brett Favre with Minnesota (12)
- Mark Rypien with Washington (12)
- Tom Brady with Tampa Bay (11)
- Matthew Stafford with the Los Angeles Rams (11)
And after another splashy performance from the Minnesota defense, the hype around Brian Flores’ unit will only grow. The Vikings forced four turnovers, including three interceptions off Jordan Love, leading to an NFL-high 42 points off turnovers. For the season, Minnesota ranks third in EPA per play (0.21) after ranking 20th in that category last year (0.02).
.@k_grugierhill gets his hands on the INT!
📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/iJVu45ANrt
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 29, 2024
Looking ahead, the Vikings will host the New York Jets before an early Week 6 bye. Minnesota will be favored given New York’s persistent offensive malaise and could remain unbeaten ahead of a massive division showdown against the Detroit Lions in Week 7.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs erased an early 10-point deficit against the Chargers to improve to 4-0. It’s the fourth time in seven seasons since Patrick Mahomes became the starting QB that they’ve started 4-0.
PERINE PUNCHES IT IN 🥊 pic.twitter.com/bG4XUrlZTR
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) September 29, 2024
Kansas City is the consensus-betting Super Bowl favorite but has not quite played like that despite its unblemished record. All four wins have come by one score, and the Chiefs have only outgained teams by six yards (15th in the NFL).
The biggest reason for optimism is that the Chiefs have found ways to win without superstars Mahomes and Travis Kelce playing up to their typical historic standards.
Mahomes currently has the sixth-worst interception rate (4.1%) while also throwing the shortest average pass in the NFL (5.5 aDOT). That combination of mistake-prone football along with low-upside passing has been a direct contrast to most of the Mahomes era.
Part of their inconsistent output stems from Kelce’s shockingly quiet start. Kelce finally broke out of his slump in the Chiefs’ win on Sunday, garnering more receiving yards (89) than he had the first three games combined (69).
Kelce’s snap count has actually been up — his 83% offensive snap rate is on pace to be his highest since 2019 — but his target rate currently sits at a career-low 16.4%, way down from his 23.6% target rate last year.
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Nevertheless, the champs appear poised to cruise to a ninth consecutive AFC West title and have the inside track to earn home-field advantage in the conference. Coupled with an offense that will likely improve, the Chiefs will be extremely difficult to unseat come January and February.