There have been plenty of disappointments and surprises three weeks through the NFL season.
A few teams are already outperforming their early season projections and could be in contention for a playoff berth, including the Indianapolis Colts, who have raced out to a 3-0 record behind a resurgent Daniel Jones.
There are six remaining undefeated teams and 10 different teams have started the season off with a 2-1 record.
Below, we’ll break down four teams who have started 2-1 but could still miss the NFL Playoffs in 2025.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Liam Coen era in Jacksonville is off to a strong 2-1 start but the Jaguars should really be undefeated. Jacksonville lost a winnable game in Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals, as backup QB Jake Browning led a game-winning comeback drive after Joe Burrow exited with turf toe.
The Jaguars have benefitted from one of the league’s easiest early season schedules but that’s about to change quickly. Beginning next week, Jacksonville will take on the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks, and Los Angeles Rams in consecutive games.
Two late-season games against the Colts in Week 14 and Week 17 could ultimately decide their fate.
Cincinnati Bengals
Speaking of Joe Burrow, it appears that he’s going to be a longshot to return to the field this year, unless the Bengals find their way into the postseason. Burrow suffered a Grade 3 turf toe injury that will require surgery and keep him out at least three months.
While Jake Browning did an admirable job leading Cincinnati to a comeback win at home versus Jacksonville, he’s been far from perfect. Browning has thrown more interceptions (five) than touchdowns (three) through two games and will have his hands full over the next few weeks.
Cincinnati will take on the Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, and Pittsburgh Steelers over the next four weeks. With the Bengals battling for supremacy in the AFC North, they will need a heroic performance from Browning to even remain in contention for a Wild Card spot late in the season.
Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota’s starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy hasn’t exactly inspired confidence during his first two starts. McCarthy has already been ruled out for the Vikings’ Week 4 matchup against the Steelers in Dublin, meaning Pittsburgh will get a shot at veteran QB Carson Wentz.
Wentz wasn’t tested in his first start last week, as the Vikings cruised to a 48-10 victory over the Bengals. While he showed that he still has plenty left in the tank, Wentz will need to lead Minnesota to back-to-back wins against Pittsburgh and Cleveland for the Vikings to have any chance of making the playoffs.
After that, McCarthy should be back in time to take over following Minnesota’s Week 6 bye.
The problem is, that might be bad news for Vikings fans.
Following the bye week, the Vikings will take on the Philadelphia Eagles, L.A. Chargers, Lions, and Ravens in consecutive weeks, which could effectively end their playoff hopes in a suddenly competitive NFC North division race.
Arizona Cardinals
The NFC West continues to prove why it has been one of the toughest divisions in all of football. Through three weeks, all four teams are 2-1 or better, led by the 49ers at 3-0.
Despite a tough loss on the road versus San Francisco this past weekend, the Arizona Cardinals are still sitting pretty in the NFC standings. Losing starting running back James Connor certainly hurts, but the disconnect between quarterback Kyler Murray and star wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. should be more concerning for Cardinals fans. Murray has played well under center this season but has never really gotten on the same page as Harrison Jr. and it has shown during the first three weeks.
Marvin Harrison, Jr. and Kyler Murray on different pages #Cardinals pic.twitter.com/NBLNGt7yjk
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) September 22, 2025
Next week’s clash at home versus the NFC West-rival Seattle Seahawks will be an important matchup, not just because it’s a divisional showdown, but because of what the schedule brings soon after.
Following a Week 5 clash versus the lowly Tennessee Titans, Arizona will take on Indianapolis, Green Bay, Dallas, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, and the Los Angeles Rams in a gauntlet of tough games between Week 6 and Week 14.
