Contender or Pretender for Each Undefeated Team in the NFL

It's been a wild turn of events through the first two weeks of the NFL season. I think we can all agree on that. Just seven teams are undefeated through their first two games, and only three of them reached the postseason last year. 

Against all odds, Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints are 0-2, losing both games on a walk-off field goal. Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts don't have a win either. Neither do Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs, who went 9-0 in 2013 before losing to Denver in Week 11.

The seven undefeated teams are the Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans and Philadelphia Eagles. 

What I do is address each team as a pretender or a contender for both the playoffs and the Super Bowl. The teams are listed in alphabetical order. 

Arizona Cardinals

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The Cardinals had one of the more impressive games in Week 1, overcoming a 10-point second-half deficit against Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers. They won by 11 on the road against the New York Giants in Week 2 despite backup quarterback Drew Stanton making his first start since December 2010.

With the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers both at 1-1, it's clear that the Cardinals shouldn't be taken lightly in the powerful NFC West. They're thriving on defense even without defensive end John Abraham, linebacker Daryl Washington and defensive back Tyrann Mathieu. Give credit to defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, whose unit ranks seventh in points allowed through the first two games. 

But don't count on these Cardinals as a Super Bowl team, even a Super Bowl sleeper. Veteran quarterback Carson Palmer has never won a playoff game, losing in the Wild Card Round in 2005 and 2009. He's not suddenly going to take the Cardinals on a magic playoff run that would likely need to include a victory in a location like Seattle.

In fact, the Cardinals aren't even sure when Palmer can return from the nerve injury to his shoulder. That's a problem, especially with the Cardinals slated to face both the 49ers and the Denver Broncos in the next two weeks. 

Bruce Arians has been a legitimate Coach of the Year candidate in each of his first two seasons, with the Indianapolis Colts in 2012 and the Cardinals in 2013. But for Arians to lead the Cardinals into the postseason in 2014, he'll need another Coach of the Year performance. 

Super Bowl: Pretender

Playoffs: Pretender

Buffalo Bills

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The most surprising 2-0 team this season is easily the Buffalo Bills, who stunned the Chicago Bears in overtime on the road before blowing out the Miami Dolphins by 19 points in Week 2. Through two games, the Bills are in sole possession of first place in the AFC East, ranking sixth in the league in both points scored and points allowed.

Yet I just don't see the Bills as a playoff team, let alone a Super Bowl contender. 

"

Why 2-0 starts aren't always a leading indicator: Bills are 2-0 for 6th time since 2000. They haven't been to the playoffs once in that span

— Bob Glauber (@BobGlauber) September 16, 2014"

Going 2-0 actually isn't that uncommon for the Bills over the last 15 seasons. But making the playoffs? That's something they've done just once. 

For Buffalo to reach the playoffs this year, EJ Manuel would have to turn into a solid game manager, a la Alex Smith. The running game, led by C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson, would have to be a top-10 unit in the game, and receiver Sammy Watkins would have to be an Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate. On defense, the Bills' powerful defensive line, led by Mario Williams, Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus, would have to play like the unit that ranked second in the NFL in sacks in 2013.

And even if all that somehow happened, it's highly unlikely that the Bills would be able to beat out the New England Patriots in the AFC East. 

It's not happening. Not this year. 

Super Bowl: Pretender

Playoffs: Pretender

Carolina Panthers

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A funny thing happened with the Carolina Panthers over the offseason. They were completely written off this year, despite winning 12 games and earning the NFC's No. 2 seed in 2013. 

Now they're 2-0 again, beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with their backup quarterback before blowing out the Detroit Lions at home. Cam Newton returned in Week 2 after missing the first game with a rib injury. Oh, and the defense looks to be just as dominant as it was last season.

With the New Orleans Saints a surprising 0-2, it's obvious that Ron Rivera's Panthers are a legitimate playoff team. They're probably the favorites to win the NFC South at this point. 

But I'm not buying them as a Super Bowl team. Last year, everything went right for this franchise, and the Panthers still lost their only playoff game by 13 points at home. They could finish with 12 wins again in 2014, and I think most would expect them to lose their first playoff team. I know I would. 

Super Bowl: Pretender

Playoffs: Contender

Cincinnati Bengals

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The Cincinnati Bengals have probably been the best team in the National Football League this season. They really have. They're flying completely under the radar but couldn't have been more impressive in their first two games. 

"

My vote for the best team in the NFL so far this season: Cincinnati Bengals. 2-0. 26 points allowed. No turnovers or sacks. Dalton 105.4.

— Bryn Swartz (@eaglescentral) September 15, 2014"

In the weak AFC North, the Bengals should have no trouble reaching the postseason for the fourth straight season. If they can win on the road in New England in Week 5, the Bengals have a legitimate chance at earning a postseason bye. 

But I can't count on this team as a Super Bowl contender. Head coach Marvin Lewis has led the team to the postseason five times in 11 years. He's never won a playoff game. In fact, his teams have averaged just 12.4 points per game during their five losses.

Perhaps the Bengals break their unfortunate streak and finally win a playoff game this season, but can you see them winning two or three to reach the Super Bowl? I can't, especially since one of those games would likely be at Denver (or New England). 

Super Bowl: Pretender

Playoffs: Contender

Denver Broncos

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Here's how high the standards have been set for the Denver Broncos following a record-setting 2013 season that included an otherworldly 606 points scored. 

They're 2-0 in 2014, with wins against a pair of playoff teams from 2013: the Indianapolis Colts and Kansas City Chiefs. Peyton Manning has thrown for six touchdowns without an interception, and his 126.5 passer rating easily leads the league. They've scored 55 points, the fourth-highest total in the NFL through two games.

And I think most fans are actually a little disappointed by their performance through the season's first two weeks. 

The Denver Broncos are an absolute lock to reach the playoffs, the heavy favorite to win the division and the likely choice to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. They're still the second-best team in the NFL.

Super Bowl: Contender

Playoffs: Contender

Houston Texans

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Before the start of the season, I picked the Houston Texans to reach the playoffs as the AFC's second wild-card team. Two games into the season, they're 2-0 with the league's top-scoring defense. 

Yes, they've played two of the worst teams in the league, but you can't control your schedule. The Texans schedule, by the way, is a cakewalk. They play at the Giants, home against the Bills and at the Cowboys, meaning a 5-0 start is possible. Their toughest opponents are the Eagles at home, the Bengals at home and the Colts at home and on the road. They manage to avoid all of the league's top teams from last season.

With the Colts at 0-2 this season and the Titans and Jaguars looking like the Titans and Jaguars, the Texans have to be considered serious playoff contenders at this point. There's no way a Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ryan Mallet or Tom Savage-quarterbacked team can reach the Super Bowl, and I think they know that. But with a game manager at quarterback, a power running game, the best defensive player in the world and the No. 1 overall draft pick (when he returns from his injury), the Texans are a major playoff sleeper.

"

The Bill O'Brien effect: Ryan Fitzpatrick has three touchdowns and no interceptions this season. Passer rating of 118.4.

— Bryn Swartz (@eaglescentral) September 17, 2014"

Super Bowl: Pretender

Playoffs: Contender

Philadelphia Eagles

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The Philadelphia Eagles have the NFL's top-scoring offense this season. That's despite a struggling quarterback who ranks as the worst at his position this year, per Pro Football Focus. That's despite an All-World running back who has averaged just 3.7 yards per carry. And it's with an offensive line that is missing All-Pro guard Evan Mathis and its top two options at right tackle. 

"

According to PFF, Nick Foles has been the NFL's worst QB this season. Eagles rank first in points.

— Bryn Swartz (@eaglescentral) September 16, 2014"

Why is this team winning? The biggest reason is Chip Kelly. 

He is perhaps the league's top offensive coach even though he's appeared in just 18 regular-season games. Kelly's offense has scored 58 of its 64 points in the second half of games. It's become obvious that opposing defenses are completely gassed in the fourth quarter. An offensive attack that features a number of prominent weapons (Zach Ertz, LeSean McCoy, Darren Sproles, Jeremy Maclin) but no clear-cut No. 1 option leaves the Eagles with mismatches all over the field. 

The Eagles are clearly the best team in the weak NFC East. That's not even debatable. They should run away with the division. Based on their 2-0 start and the early-season struggles by the Seahawks, 49ers, Packers and Saints, don't be surprised to see the Eagles end up with a first-round bye in the playoffs. 

They have an offense that cannot be stopped for a full game, a near-genius at head coach and an underrated defense with a knack for making plays at the most opportune times. They're a Super Bowl contender in a surprisingly wide-open NFC.

Super Bowl: Contender

Playoffs: Contender