Upsets and Undefeateds: The NFL's Wild Early-Season Surprises

Just a few weeks into the 2026 NFL season, the pre-written storylines are already in tatters. Teams expected to contend are struggling, unfancied squads are winning, and the league is delivering the kind of early-season chaos that makes the sport so unpredictable.

For fans, it is a reminder of why preseason predictions are made to be broken. The opening weeks have reshuffled the power rankings and left analysts scrambling to explain results few saw coming.

The Undefeated Club

A handful of teams have separated themselves by simply refusing to lose. Reports list several clubs still unbeaten through the early going, a mix of familiar powerhouses and at least one genuine surprise crashing the party.

Among the perennial contenders, reports note that Kansas City has started strong once again, with quarterback Patrick Mahomes leading the way and veteran tight end Travis Kelce reportedly looking rejuvenated after questions about his form.

The Raiders Rise

Perhaps the biggest shock is unfolding in Las Vegas. Reports highlight the Raiders, winners of just a handful of games a year ago, storming to an unbeaten start behind veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, a turnaround few predicted.

The fast start has vaulted the team up the power rankings and injected fresh optimism into a fan base accustomed to disappointment. Whether the surge is sustainable is the question now hanging over the season.

Favorites in Free Fall

For every pleasant surprise, there has been a corresponding stumble. Reports point to a couple of teams widely expected to contend sitting winless and reeling, their seasons already threatening to slip away before autumn is out.

Even the team many tipped as the Super Bowl favorite has struggled out of the gate, reportedly falling below .500 after an early road defeat. It is a humbling start for a side that carried sky-high expectations into the year.

Defense Wins the Day

Some of the early success stories share a common thread: stingy defense. Reports single out Minnesota, whose aggressive, blitz-heavy scheme has smothered opponents and anchored a strong start built on preventing points rather than piling them up.

It is a timely reminder that offense may sell tickets, but defense often decides games. In a league obsessed with high-scoring quarterbacks, the teams clamping down on the other side of the ball are quietly making statements.

A Long Way to Go

For all the early drama, seasoned observers urge caution. A few weeks is a small sample, injuries loom as an ever-present wildcard, and hot starts have a way of cooling just as cold ones can suddenly ignite.

Still, the opening act of the 2026 season has been riveting. If these early weeks are any guide, the months ahead promise plenty more twists before the picture of who is truly for real comes into focus.