The NFL has three unbeaten teams through Week 9.The Bengals, Patriots and Panthers all improved to 8-0, while the Colts eliminated the Broncos from these ranks. For the first time in NFL history, there are three 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.
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3. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals won impressively on Thursday night vs. the Browns with Johnny Manziel at quarterback. The win itself isn’t particularly impressive; the Browns are a two-win squad and Manziel has only shown flashes of competence. What was impressive was the beating they administered. The Bengals may be the most talented team in the NFL, and they are coming together in a way that takes advantage of all their strengths.
Most importantly, they are blocking well for Andy Dalton, and letting him find his playmakers deep down the field. The issue for Cincinnati is the schedule. They have upcoming road games at Arizona (11/22) and at Denver (12/28) as well as home games vs. the Rams (11/29) and the Steelers (12/13). Also, Dec. 6 at Cleveland looms as a trap game.
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Next Game: Monday, Nov. 16 vs. Texans
2. Carolina Panthers
Anyone who still has doubts about the Panthers being legitimate simply don’t want to veer from their initial perceptions. They dominated the Packers on Sunday in the first half, and withstood a mad charge from the NFL’s best quarterback (Aaron Rodgers) in the second half, stopping him in his tracks after a momentum-swinging turnover by Cam Newton late in the fourth quarter.
The Panthers boast a top-5 defense, an MVP candidate (Newton) and one of the NFL’s top rushing attacks. Even better, the schedule is pretty easy for them coming up, with their toughest test looking like a Thanksgiving trip to Dallas where Tony Romo may be back under center. They travel to New Orleans the week after that, but it doesn’t seem like they can stop anybody. This is starting to seem possible.
Next Game: Sunday, Nov. 15 at Titans
1. New England Patriots
If an unbeaten season is starting to seem likely for Carolina, is it starting to seem probable for the Patriots? They steamrolled the Redskins on Sunday and appeared to be doing so at half speed with Rob Gronkowski and Tom Brady putting forth blah statistical efforts.
Nov. 29 at Denver, and Dec. 27 at the Jets seem like dangerous matchups, but the Patriots haven’t been held to fewer than 27 points all season. They can attack defenses through the air or on the ground, and Brady is playing at a prime level despite being 38 years old. Losing RB Dion Lewis for extended time could put a dent in this attack, though, as crazy as it seems.
Next Game: Sunday, Nov. 15 at Giants
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