If you came here looking for a 1972 Miami Dolphins repeat, I have some bad news. Nobody is perfect. Seriously, not one team. As we sit here in January 2026, heading into the meat of the NFL Divisional Round, the quest for a "0" in the loss column died a long time ago.
It’s actually kind of wild how fast things fell apart for the early-season favorites. By early October, the dream of a perfect season was already dead and buried for every single team in the league. If you're wondering who in nfl is undefeated right now, the short answer is: absolutely nobody. The long answer? The 2025-2026 season has been a total meat grinder that proved parity in this league is at an all-time high.
The Last Stand: Who Stayed Unbeaten the Longest?
For a minute there, it looked like we might actually see a deep run. The Philadelphia Eagles and the Buffalo Bills both came out of the gate swinging. They looked untouchable.
Philly, the defending champs, started 4-0. They were physical, Jalen Hurts was playing mistake-free football, and the defense was suffocating. Then Week 5 happened. They ran into a Denver Broncos team that nobody respected at the time, and the Broncos basically bullied them into a 21-17 loss. Just like that, the "perfect" talk vanished.
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Buffalo followed a similar script. They also hit 4-0, fueled by James Cook looking like a superstar in the backfield. But the New England Patriots—who ended up having a massive resurgence this year—tripped them up in a 23-20 nail-biter that same week.
Why the "Undefeated" Tag is So Rare Now
Honestly, look at the schedule. With 17 regular-season games, going undefeated is basically a statistical miracle. You've got more travel, more injuries, and more "trap games" than players from the 70s ever had to deal with.
Think about the physical toll. By Week 10, most rosters are held together by athletic tape and prayer. Even the elite teams like the 14-3 Seattle Seahawks or the 14-3 Denver Broncos had games where they just looked... human. Seattle, for instance, had a dominant run but still dropped three games along the way because the NFC West is a nightly fistfight.
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Historic Context: The "Champagne" Club Remains Exclusive
Every year, when the last team falls, those old-timers from the '72 Dolphins allegedly pop their champagne. Whether they actually do it or not is a bit of a sports myth, but they definitely still hold the crown.
Here is how the "last unbeatens" have fared recently:
- 2025: Buffalo and Philly (Both 4-0 before losing).
- 2024: Kansas City Chiefs (Made it to 9-0).
- 2023: Eagles and 49ers (Both 5-0).
- 2007: New England Patriots (16-0 regular season, but we know how the Super Bowl ended).
It is a reminder that being the best team in January doesn't require being perfect in September. In fact, some coaches sort of hate the pressure of a winning streak. It becomes a distraction. You start playing not to lose instead of playing to win.
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The 2026 Playoff Picture: Who is Actually Left?
So, if no one is undefeated, who is actually worth watching? We are currently in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. The "invincibles" are gone, but the heavyweights are still standing.
The Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks secured the No. 1 seeds in their respective conferences, both finishing 14-3. That is about as close to "perfect" as you get in the modern era. Meanwhile, the New England Patriots have clawed their way back into the elite conversation with a 15-3 record (including their playoff win).
Surprising Stats from the Top Teams
- New England Patriots: They finished 8-0 on the road this year. That is almost harder than going undefeated at home.
- Jacksonville Jaguars: They rode an 8-game winning streak into the playoffs before getting bounced in a Wild Card heartbreaker.
- Houston Texans: They were one of the hottest teams late in the year, winning 9 straight to close the regular season after a mediocre start.
Lessons for Next Season
If you’re betting on who in nfl is undefeated next year, the odds say "don't." The league is designed to keep teams at .500. Between the salary cap, the draft order, and the sheer brutality of the game, 17-0 is a pipe dream.
What really matters is "functional" perfection—winning the games that count toward seeding and staying healthy for the tournament. The 2025 Eagles and Bills proved that a 4-0 start feels great in the headlines, but it doesn't guarantee a Lombardi Trophy.
Next Steps for NFL Fans:
If you want to keep track of the remaining teams this postseason, keep a close eye on the injury reports for the Divisional Round. Specifically, watch the status of the Broncos' offensive line and the Seahawks' secondary, as these are the units that will likely decide who makes it to the Super Bowl. You should also check the updated 2026 mock drafts, as the Las Vegas Raiders officially have the No. 1 overall pick after a dismal 3-14 season.