The NFL has five unbeaten teams through Week 8.The Broncos, Bengals, Patriots and Panthers all improved to 7-0, while Denver eliminated the Packers from these ranks. For the first time in NFL history, there are four undefeated clubs this deep into the season.
So do any of these teams have a shot to go unbeaten in 2015? Let’s rank their chances.
4. Carolina Panthers
Another week, another impressive victory for Carolina. Their reward? A Week 9 home date with Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, who no doubt are angry about suffering their first loss. Ted Ginn’s horrible drop was a reminder that Cam Newton should be leading the MVP voting for having this team at 7-0. The Panthers’ rushing defense is vulnerable, so if Eddie Lacy can get going for Green Bay, the Panthers will have a rough go.
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If they can get by Green Bay, however, it is pretty smooth sailing against soft defenses.
3. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals toughed out another hard road victory, this time vs. the Steelers with Ben Roethlisberger back at QB. Roethlisberger’s movement is limited, but Big Ben at 50 percent is an upgrade over Michael Vick and Landry Jones.
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The Bengals have the most talent at the skill positions of all these remaining teams, but their defense is closer to average than it is great, and they have some brutal games coming up. In late November they are at Arizona and home for St. Louis in back-to-back games, and they’ll travel to Denver in Week 16. They also have one more game vs. the Steelers.
2. Denver Broncos
Their Sunday Night Football destruction of the Packers was impressive. They ran the ball down the Packers’ throats, which had to please head coach Gary Kubiak, but Peyton Manning also got over 300 yards passing again. Defensively, they had their way with Aaron Rodgers, who has quietly struggled a bit of late. He’s the best QB in football, but his wide receivers have not done a great job of getting open for him.
Denver has the best defense in the NFL, and Manning and co. are starting to figure it out. Now that they’ve added Vernon Davis to assume the Julius Thomas role, this offense may explode. Like Cincinnati, however, their schedule still has several landmines.
1. New England Patriots
The Pats crushed the Dolphins on Thursday night, and continue to look like a juggernaut. Their defense is suspect, but the offense has been so good it doesn’t matter. The toughest game they have left is a November 29 road game at the Broncos. Beyond that, and perhaps a road game Nov. 15 at the Giants, they can coast through their other opponents until Dec. 27, when they play at MetLife Stadium against the Jets.
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