In the Super Bowl era, only two NFL teams have finished the regular season undefeated: the 1972 Miami Dolphins and the 2007 New England Patriots. This season, the NFL odds are against a team repeating this feat though a handful of contenders could flirt with a 17-0 season. We gather these teams (with their 17-0 odds) and predict when that dream could end.
The (Likely) First Loss For Each NFL Contender
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Buffalo Bills (+3300)
It’s a different era in the NFL when the Buffalo Bills are the favorites to win the Super Bowl, put up the most points, and finish with a 17-0 regular-season record. NFL Survivor players are laughing at this notion as Buffalo was immediately upset in Week 1 by the visiting Steelers.
The team landed legendary pass rusher Von Miller but has the sixth-hardest schedule in the AFC. It begins in Week 1 when the team visits Miller’s old team, the stacked Los Angeles Rams who also happen to be the defending Super Bowl champs. This is a 50/50 game per the sportsbook’s opening week odds. And just like last year, Buffalo starts the season with a big fat “L.”
Prediction: Buffalo loses to the Rams in Week 1
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3300)
Tom Brady’s return means more Super Bowl aspirations for the explosive Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With the seven-time champion now firmly calling the shots, expect the Bucs to continue humming amidst the fourth-hardest schedule in the NFL.
Tampa opens against Dallas just as it did last year and that game was too close. Should the Bucs edge Dallas this season, a defensive juggernaut awaits them in New Orleans. Brady is winless (0-4) against New Orleans as a Buc and even without Sean Payton, the Saints still have an elite defense. The Bucs’ winless season ends in Week 2.
Prediction: Tampa Bay loses to New Orleans in Week 2
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Green Bay Packers (+4000)
A bet online on the Green Bay Packers to go 17-0 pays 40-1 and is just behind Buffalo and Tampa Bay. This is mainly because they have a relatively easy schedule and play in a pushover division. However, two of the first three weeks are already tricky for Aaron Rodgers and his boys.
Green Bay opens the season with a trip to Minnesota where Rodgers is 2-4 in his last six trips. Minnesota could be improved with a new coach. But should Green Bay edge them as the odds favor, a trip to Tampa is in Week 3. Should Green Bay win this one again, they visit the Bills in Orchard Park for Week 8. That’s as far as they flirt with perfection.
Prediction: Green Bay loses to Buffalo in Week 8
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Los Angeles Rams (+4000)
The Super Bowl Champions have lost quite a few key players and personnel but remain a popular team per NFL predictions. The schedule makers do them no favors for the 2022 season as they have the hardest path to the playoffs opening with a game against Miller and Buffalo. They should beat the Bills.
But the Los Angeles Rams won’t get too much breathing room as back-to-back visits to Arizona and San Francisco await in weeks 3 and 4. Sean McVay managed to overcome Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers in the playoffs but is still 1-6 against him since 2019. The Niners will be hungry for revenge and the Rams may have to concede.
Prediction: The Rams lose to San Francisco in Week 4
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Kansas City Chiefs (+5000)
The Kansas City Chiefs ended the 2021 season with a thud and seemingly got worse for this year. And yet, Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes have proven that it’s usually a bad idea to get against them (unless it’s on the point spread). Kansas City faces a perilous season thanks to playing in the AFC West where their division rivals bulked up in a big way.
We don’t have to wait long to see a division matchup as Kansas City hosts the Chargers in a short turnaround for Week 2. Assuming they beat Los Angeles, their next opponents are the Colts, Buccaneers, Raiders, Bills, 49ers, and Titans. Yikes. Reid’s teams tend to start the season slow too so we’re banking on the Colts to hand them their first loss.
Prediction: Kansas City loses to Indianapolis in Week 3
