The NFL's Most Improved Teams of the 2015 Season so Far

As we enter the fourth week of the 2015 NFL season, there are seven teams sporting 3-0 records. That’s more than twice as many as a year ago, when the Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles each won their first three games.

In this slideshow, we have pinpointed seven teams (in alphabetical order) that appear to be on the upswing in all facets of the game.

Of course, it would be easy to just pick a bunch of clubs that were dismal a year ago, and if they are currently sporting winning records, put them on the list.

We’re a lot smarter than that. While there are other clubs that have also made strides in one area or another, we felt these seven teams have shown magnificent improvement so far this season.

It would be interesting to revisit this group in three or four weeks and see how far each has truly come from 2014.

Arizona Cardinals: 3-0

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Isn’t it amazing what a healthy quarterback can do for a team?

In three games this season and with veteran Carson Palmer at the helm, the Arizona Cardinals have scored an NFL-high 126 points, with 13 of their 17 touchdowns coming via the offense. Last season, including their playoff loss at Carolina, Bruce Arians’ squad totaled a mere 103 points in its final eight outings, sans Palmer.

It’s been a fabulous start for a team that wilted down the stretch last year due to massive injuries, most notably at quarterback and running back.

This season, 35-year-old Palmer has already thrown nine touchdown passes while being sacked just once, and the Cards are averaging 124.7 yards per game on the ground—not bad for a team that ranked 31st in the NFL in rushing in 2014.

Worried about the Cardinals defense minus NFL Assistant Coach of the Year Todd Bowles? So far so good, as only four teams in the league have allowed fewer total yards per game, and the team has given up only four touchdowns in three contests. Arizona has picked off a league-high seven passes and returned three of them for scores.

With Palmer finding wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald early and often (23 receptions, five for scores) and all facets of the team contributing in a big way, the third edition of Arians’ Cardinals looks formidable indeed.

Atlanta Falcons: 3-0

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Talk about saving your best for last.

The Atlanta Falcons, winners of only six games in 2014, are already halfway to that total this season.

And this is a team that has had a penchant for the comeback. In each of their three victories to date, they have rallied from fourth-quarter deficits.

In their wins over the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys, both on the road, they bounced back from double-digit deficits. And a team that was just 1-9 outside the NFC South a year ago is already 3-0 against non-divisional foes, having beaten a trio of NFC East teams.

New head coach Dan Quinn’s defensive pedigree has shown up in the team’s physical style of play. Last season’s league-worst defense is currently 23rd in the NFL in total yards allowed and has yet to generate a potent pass rush (four sacks). But the team has made up for it in hustle and has made plays when it counted. This season, the Falcons have outscored opponents a combined 34-7 in the fourth quarter.

Quarterback Matt Ryan has played some serious pitch-and-catch with wide receiver Julio Jones, who has already totaled 34 catches for 440 yards and four touchdowns in three games. The one-two punch of running backs Devonta Freeman and rookie Tevin Coleman has combined for five touchdowns. Four have come from Freeman, who also leads the team with 184 yards rushing and ranks second on the club with 12 catches.

A year ago, the 7-8-1 Carolina Panthers won the NFC South. Both that team and the Falcons are already 3-0 this season, which should make for an interesting race. And those two teams don’t meet until December.

Buffalo Bills: 2-1

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We don’t think anyone in Orchard Park needs any reminder about what happened to Rex Ryan and the Buffalo Bills when the New England Patriots came to town about a week-and-a-half ago.

The final score was 40-32 in favor of the defending Super Bowl champions, and for most of the afternoon it wasn’t that close. But to the Bills’ credit, they rebounded with an impressive 41-14 win at Miami this past Sunday. Combine that with their Week 1 triumph over the Indianapolis Colts, and this is a club that may finally be primed to end that long playoff appearance drought.

A team that ranked 25th in the NFL in rushing in 2014 leads the league in that same category after three weeks. Last season, the Bills ran for only seven touchdowns, and this year, LeSean McCoy, rookie Karlos Williams and quarterback Tyrod Taylor are part of a ground game that has averaged 152.7 yards per contest and already found the end zone five times.

The Bills’ offensive unit has already produced 12 touchdowns, nearly halfway to last season’s total of 30 offensive touchdowns. Taylor has thrown for seven scores, and six different players, including newcomers McCoy, Percy Harvin and Charles Clay, have hauled in touchdown receptions.

We knew the defense would be formidable, and it has been, although it has already given up its share of yards, especially through the air. However, Ryan’s team has already totaled eight takeaways, good news for a head coach who saw his New York Jets force an NFL-low 13 turnovers last year.

Will the Bills be circling their calendars for some extra football come January? It’s still a little early to tell, but there is optimism, and with good reason.

Minnesota Vikings: 2-1

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Anyone remember that the Minnesota Vikings were dusted in the final game of Week 1 by the San Francisco 49ers?

The score was 20-3, and Mike Zimmer’s team laid an egg in prime time. The Niners outgained the Vikings 395-248 in total offense while Minnesota watched Carlos Hyde abuse its defense for 168 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

While the 49ers have been nothing short of a disaster since, the Vikings have rebounded with a pair of home wins—both by double digits.

And after a miserable start in San Francisco, guess who’s leading the NFL in rushing after three weeks? Running back Adrian Peterson ran for 134 and 126 yards, respectively, in the victories over the Detroit Lions and San Diego Chargers.

“The body felt good, the mind was in a great place, and yeah—I think I’m back,” Peterson told Tom Pelissero of USA Today following Sunday’s win over the Bolts.

“Adrian made some plays where we might’ve not blocked it up well, and he just found the smallest crease and made something happen,” added left guard Brandon Fusco. “That’s the way he is.”

Yes, second-year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has thrown for only one score while being picked off twice in three games. But Zimmer’s defense is doing its share, with a half-dozen takeaways and a pass rush that has produced six sacks.

With the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions both off to 0-3 starts, for now it looks like the Vikings are the Green Bay Packers’ lone competition in the NFC North. We won’t know just how competitive until late November, when the Pack travels to Minnesota.

New York Jets: 2-1

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Yes, the New York Jets stubbed their toes this past Sunday at home against the then-winless Philadelphia Eagles. But that doesn’t mean this isn’t a much better football team than it was a year ago.

Veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has almost as many interceptions (five) as touchdown passes (six), having been picked off three times Sunday. Half of the 32-year-old's scoring throws have gone to wideout Brandon Marshall, whose ill-advised lateral attempt was not only against the Birds but was for the birds. Still, he’s already hauled in 23 passes for 272 yards.

All six of Fitzpatrick’s touchdown passes have gone to wide receivers, including Marshall (three), Eric Decker (two) and Jeremy Kerley (one). In 2014, Jets wideouts combined for just eight scoring catches.

Defensively, Todd Bowles’ team has allowed only 41 points and four offensive touchdowns in three games. The pass rush hasn’t put up big numbers, but the opportunistic Jets, led by cornerback Darrelle Revis and a number of other new faces, have already forced 11 turnovers. One year ago, this team ranked dead last in the NFL with a mere 13 takeaways.

Bowles and Co. find themselves already halfway to last season’s total of four wins. The team plays three of its next four games on the road, and we should get a better idea of if these Jets are truly in it for the long haul this season.

Oakland Raiders: 2-1

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Things seem to be changing for the Silver and Black…finally.

There’s little doubt the Oakland Raiders, who have finally hit on some high draft choices the past few years, look a better and more confident football team under new head coach Jack Del Rio.

After being humbled by the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1 by 20 points (33-13), the Raiders have rebounded with a pair of wins over the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns. The latter came Sunday, snapping Oakland’s 11-game road losing streak that dated back to 2013.

So far, quarterback Derek Carr has thrown for 726 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. Rookie wide receiver Amari Cooper has been a monster, with 20 catches, good for 290 yards and a score. Free-agent addition Michael Crabtree hasn’t been far behind with 18 grabs. Talented running back Latavius Murray has already totaled 63 touches, good for 316 yards from scrimmage and a pair of touchdowns.

There are still some concerns on defense, but perhaps the team turned the corner a bit Sunday at Cleveland. The Raiders, held without a sack in their first two games, dropped Browns quarterback Josh McCown five times over the weekend.

In any case, this is an Oakland team that figures to be in its share of games this season. And eclipsing last season’s win total of three victories seems like it will be just a formality.

Tennessee Titans: 1-2

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What gives? After laying out the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1, the Tennessee Titans have given up a combined 63 points in losses to the Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts.

While Ken Whisenhunt’s club was bombarded by quarterback Johnny Manziel and wide receiver Travis Benjamin in Week 2, the Titans wound up squandering a 27-14 second-half lead last Sunday to Andrew Luck and his friends.

Still, there’s cause for a lot of optimism here, and it starts with rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota, who’s hitting on 62.9 percent of his passes (for 833 yards) and has thrown eight touchdown passes compared to only two interceptions. The 2014 Heisman Trophy winner has been sacked 12 times and has lost two of his three fumbles, but he’s also shown a lot of resiliency in three weeks.

The running game looks much better from a year ago, with Bishop Sankey (126) and Dexter McCluster (113) combining for 239 of the team’s 378 yards on the ground. Six different players have already caught touchdown passes from Mariota, with Kendall Wright leading the team with 13 receptions for 213 yards.

The defense is coming around. Led by outside linebacker Derrick Morgan and defensive tackle Jurrell Casey, the Titans have totaled nine sacks. But this is a team that has already given up 35 points in the fourth quarter.

So far it’s looking a lot better for the Titans, a two-win team from a year ago. They’re currently tied for first place in the AFC South. Of course, they’re also tied for last place in the division given the fact that all four teams own 1-2 records.

Depth chart information comes via Ourlads. Unless otherwise noted, all player and team statistics come from Pro Football Reference and ESPN.com.