If you’re scouring the standings right now looking for a big fat zero in the loss column, I’ve got some news that might bum you out. Honestly, as of mid-January 2026, there isn't a single team left with a perfect record. What NFL team is undefeated? The short answer: absolutely none of them.
The dream of the "perfect season" usually dies somewhere around late October, but for the 2025-2026 cycle, the drama wrapped up even earlier. We watched the final holdouts—the Buffalo Bills and the Philadelphia Eagles—both hit the wall in Week 5. Since then, it’s been a total dogfight. We are currently staring down the barrel of the Divisional Round of the playoffs, and the teams left standing are battle-scarred, which arguably makes the games way more interesting.
The Last Men Standing: How the 2025 Perfect Season Ended
It’s kinda wild how fast things can change. Heading into October 2025, everyone was whispering about the Bills and Eagles. They both started 4-0. The Bills looked like an absolute machine until they ran into a scrappy New England Patriots squad led by Drake Maye. That 23-20 loss was a shocker.
Meanwhile, the Eagles—the defending champs, mind you—found out the hard way that the Denver Broncos weren't messing around this year. A late penalty on Saquon Barkley basically killed their comeback hopes, and they fell 21-17. Just like that, the "1972 Dolphins" champagne stayed on the shelf for another year.
It’s basically impossible to stay perfect in the modern NFL. You’ve got the 17-game schedule, short weeks, and the fact that parity is higher than ever. Even the "best" teams like the Seattle Seahawks (14-3) and Denver Broncos (14-3) couldn't navigate the regular season without three hiccups each.
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Why 17-0 is the Rarest Feat in Sports
Look, we talk about perfection like it’s a realistic goal, but only one team has ever done the full "perfect season" including the Super Bowl. That was the '72 Dolphins. Since then, we’ve seen teams come close, like the 2007 Patriots who went 18-0 before that heartbreaking Super Bowl loss to the Giants.
In 2026, the landscape is even tougher. Here is why we aren't seeing 16-0 or 17-0 records anymore:
- Injury Attrition: The 17-game season is a meat grinder. By Week 10, half the league is playing on "adjusted" knees and shoulders.
- The Salary Cap: You can't just stack a roster with 53 superstars. Eventually, a team with a $50 million quarterback has to play a rookie at cornerback, and a smart offensive coordinator will find that kid and pick on him all day.
- Defensive Innovation: Mike Macdonald in Seattle and Zak Kuhr in New England (the interim guy who did a hell of a job after Terrell Williams' diagnosis) have proven that even the best offenses can be bottled up if you have the right scheme.
People always ask "what NFL team is undefeated" around Week 6 or 7, but by the time January rolls around, we're usually just looking for the team that's the "least broken."
Who are the Most "Perfect" Teams Left?
Even though nobody has a zero in the loss column, some teams are playing nearly flawless football as we enter the heart of the playoffs. If you're looking for the teams that feel undefeated based on their current momentum, you have to look at the top seeds.
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The Seattle Seahawks (14-3)
Seattle finished the season on a massive heater, winning seven straight games. They basically shut down the 49ers in Week 18 to clinch the No. 1 seed. They have the most complete defense in the league right now. When you look at their 14-3 record, those three losses feel like a lifetime ago.
The New England Patriots (15-3)
Wait, did I say 15-3? Yeah, that includes their Wild Card win over the Chargers. After a decade of being "just okay" post-Brady, the Pats are back. Drake Maye is playing with a level of poise that's honestly scary for a young QB. They finished 14-3 in the regular season and are currently the hottest team in the AFC.
The Denver Broncos (14-3)
Sean Payton finally has this thing humming. They secured the AFC's top seed and had a bye while everyone else was beating each other up in the Wild Card round. They aren't flashy, but they don't beat themselves, which is the closest thing to "perfect" you’ll find in 2026.
Misconceptions About Undefeated Seasons
I think there's a huge misconception that an undefeated regular season actually matters. Ask any 2007 Patriots fan. They’d trade that 16-0 record for a 10-6 record and a ring in a heartbeat.
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Honestly, the "last undefeated team" rarely wins the Super Bowl. In 2024, the Chiefs started 9-0 and lost the Super Bowl. In 2025, the Bills and Eagles were the last unbeatens, and the Eagles already got bounced in the Wild Card round by the 49ers. It's almost like a curse. Once you lose that first game, the pressure evaporates and you can actually start building for the postseason.
What’s Next for the Teams Still Standing?
If you're following the bracket, we are currently in the Divisional Round (January 17-18, 2026). Here is how the path looks for the teams that came closest to perfection:
- Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos: This is the big one. The Bills were the "last undefeated" alongside Philly, and now they have to go into the thin air of Denver.
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots: Houston is the "scary" team that nobody wants to play. New England's defense is the story here.
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks: A classic NFC West bloodbath. Seattle is the favorite, but the Niners just ended the Eagles' season, so they're feeling themselves.
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears: The Bears (11-6) are the surprise of the North, but the Rams' offense is putting up video game numbers.
Basically, forget about the 0 in the loss column. That ship sailed back in October. We are now in the part of the season where it's "win or go home," and quite frankly, that's way more fun than tracking a streak.
To keep up with the action, you should definitely keep an eye on the injury reports for the Seahawks and Broncos this week. Since they’ve had the most consistent "almost perfect" seasons, their health will be the deciding factor in who actually makes it to Levi's Stadium for Super Bowl LX.
Check the live brackets on the official NFL site or your favorite sports app to see if the top seeds can hold off the "Wild Card" chaos that usually defines this time of year.