Through five weeks of the 2015 NFL season, only six teams still possess an unblemished record. The Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons are all 5-0, while the New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers are both 4-0.
Which of the unbeaten teams will fall first? A quick look at each team’s schedule should provide an answer.
New England Patriots (4-0)
Next three games: at Colts, vs. Jets, vs. Dolphins
Next best chance at a loss: vs. Jets (Week 7)
The Patriots have the NFL’s second-best point differential at +73, thanks in large part to blowout wins over the Jaguars and Cowboys in back-to-back weeks. That number could go up in Week 6, as New England has beat Indianapolis by a combined 71 points over the last three meetings. Could the Jets be the most likely team to beat the Patriots? New York played New England tough in both meetings last season (two losses by a combined three points), and Todd Bowles’ defense has the horses necessary to make life difficult for Tom Brady. If the Jets can’t pull it off the upset, the Patriots might very well be 10-0 when they travel to Denver in Week 12.
Cincinnati Bengals (5-0)
Next three games: at Bills, at Steelers, vs. Browns
Next best chance at a loss: at Steelers (Week 8)
Going to Buffalo and beating the Bills won’t be easy, especially after winning a physical matchup with Seattle in Week 5, but Andy Dalton and the Bengals have earned themselves a certain level of trust. Circle Cincinnati’s trip to Pittsburgh in Week 8 as the best potential setting for the Bengals’ first loss. It’s certainly possible quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be back for the showdown. His return would be very bad news for the Bengals. Roethlisberger threw five touchdowns and led the Steelers to 69 total points during Pittsburgh’s two-game sweep of Cincinnati last season.
Denver Broncos (5-0)
Next three games: at Browns, vs. Packers, at Colts
Next best chance at a loss: vs. Packers (Week 8)
Denver has a brutal three-game slate ahead, with road trips to Cleveland and Indianapolis sandwiching a visit from the currently unbeaten Packers. The defense may be able to carry Denver to a win in Cleveland, but Peyton Manning (who now has six touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2015) will need to play much better for the Broncos to knock off Green Bay. The Packers have a fast, attacking defense, with 20 sacks and eight interceptions through the first five games. Both teams will have the bye week to prep for the showdown, but any kind of duel between Manning and Aaron Rodgers appears to heavily favor Rodgers.
Green Bay Packers (5-0)
Next three games: vs. Chargers, at Broncos, at Panthers
Next best chance at a loss: at Broncos (Week 8)
The Chargers will be making the long road trip to Green Bay on a short week, so the Packers should get to 6-0 heading into the bye. If the Broncos follow suit and win in Cleveland, the Week 8 matchup in Denver will eliminate one unbeaten team. It could be the best game of the young season, with Manning, Rodgers and two really good defenses highlighting a star-studded matchup. The Broncos have everything on defense—including the pass rush and perimeter cover players—to give Rodgers fits. Denver also hasn’t lost at home in the regular season since December of 2013. The Packers would likely be road underdogs.
Atlanta Falcons (5-0)
Next three games: at Saints, at Titans, vs Buccaneers
Next best chance at a loss: at Saints (Week 6)
It’s actually difficult to look at Atlanta’s upcoming schedule and find a loss. In fact, it wouldn’t be at all shocking if the Falcons were 8-0 before Andrew Luck and the Colts visit in Week 10. Then again, Thursday night’s trip to play the Saints in New Orleans won’t be a cakewalk. While the Saints might be one of the league’s worst teams, Drew Brees has thrown 42 touchdowns against just four interceptions during 11 primetime home games since 2011. New Orleans won 10 of those games. Meanwhile, the Falcons have only won twice in seven trips to the Superdome since drafting Matt Ryan.
Carolina Panthers (4-0)
Next three games: at Seahawks, vs. Eagles, vs. Colts
Next best chance at a loss: at Seahawks (Week 6)
Carolina’s bid at a perfect season might very well end in the Pacific Northwest this Sunday. The Seahawks are 2-3 (and about a half-yard away from 1-4), but there’s no denying Seattle’s dominance at home. Since drafting Russell Wilson in 2012, the Seahawks have lost just two of 26 regular-season games at CenturyLink Field. Seattle is also a perfect 6-0 against the NFC South over the last four years. The Panthers are capable of going on the road and matching the Seahawks punch-for-punch in their building, but it doesn’t make it a likely scenario.