The calendar has flipped to October, and the 2026 NFL season has already delivered a month's worth of drama, disappointment, and defiance. With three weeks in the books, the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk has pored over the tape, the analytics, and the early returns to hand out preliminary grades for all 32 teams. Only one franchise earned a pristine 'A,' while a single team stumbled to a resounding 'F.' As the season's first quarter nears its end, these marks offer a snapshot of which contenders are for real and which pretenders are already in peril.
San Francisco 49ers: The Class of the League
Kyle Shanahan's squad has been nothing short of spectacular. Fresh off a demolition of the rival Rams in Australia, the 49ers have barely broken a sweat against overmatched foes. Their league-leading EPA per play (+0.33) is nearly double that of the next-closest team, the Buffalo Bills, while their 7.3 yards per play dwarfs the second-place Baltimore Ravens. Quarterback Brock Purdy is operating on a plane of efficiency all his own, posting a 133.1 passer rating and +0.63 EPA per dropback despite a receiving corps that seems to shrink by the day. Perhaps even more encouraging is the defense, which has surrendered just four plays of 20-plus yards while weathering its own injury storm. San Francisco's singular capacity to endure has once again set it apart.
Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs: Close Behind
The Bills earned an 'A-' for their aggressive new identity under offensive coordinator Joe Brady, though a five-turnover clunker against the Chargers served as a reality check. Defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard has his unit playing with a boom-or-bust style that he admits is 'unsustainable,' but the run defense has shown marked improvement. Meanwhile, the Chiefs might finally be back. The addition of NFL leading rusher Kenneth Walker III has restored balance to an attack that now threatens from under center and via play-action. Patrick Mahomes is reaping the benefits, posting his highest EPA per dropback (+0.21) since his second MVP season. A pass rush that has been held without a sack for two games is worrisome, but Kansas City's edge in close contests appears restored.
Surprise Contenders and Quiet Concerns
The Las Vegas Raiders, predicted by many to endure growing pains, sit at 3-0 and have exceeded expectations behind steady veteran Kirk Cousins. With tight end Brock Bowers back as the focal point, the offense could take off. The Chicago Bears earned a 'B+' for staying afloat without Caleb Williams, as Ben Johnson's creativity keeps them competitive. The Jacksonville Jaguars rank top-five in EPA/play on both offense and defense, but their Week 2 misstep against Denver exposed lingering front-seven limitations. The Seattle Seahawks, defending champs, showed vulnerability in a turnover-filled loss to the Commanders, yet their defense should return to form once their safeties heal.
The Middling Middle: Ravens, Bengals, and Broncos
Baltimore's post-Week 1 coronation was premature, but Lamar Jackson looks revitalized in a scheme that leverages his downfield passing. However, losing their top two centers could severely constrict the offense. Cincinnati's reloaded defense reverted to old habits in a loss to Pittsburgh, with coverage busts resurfacing. Denver's slow starts persist, but rookie Jonah Coleman's eventual return could stabilize the ground game. Detroit, Minnesota, and Pittsburgh all land in the 'B' range, each with distinct flaws—from Detroit's shaky secondary to Minnesota's league-worst 4.3 yards per play to Pittsburgh's sudden offensive eruption behind Aaron Rodgers and Jaylen Warren.
The Struggling and the Stranded
The Cleveland Browns rebounded impressively from a Week 1 implosion, while the Los Angeles Rams, preseason Super Bowl favorites, have been a massive letdown at 1-2. The New York Giants' season unraveled when Jaxson Dart was lost for the year, and the Jets remain a work in progress despite Geno Smith's command. Atlanta, New Orleans, and Philadelphia all hover around the 'C' range, with the Eagles' early-down woes finally cratering them in prime time. Arizona and Carolina face uphill battles due to injuries and inefficiency, while Dallas's defense continues to short-circuit.
The Bottom Feeders: Colts, Texans, Patriots, Packers, Buccaneers, Titans, and Chargers
Indianapolis and Houston earned 'D' grades for their respective face-plants, with the Texans' league-worst stuff rate on runs dooming C.J. Stroud. The Patriots' Drake Maye leads the league with seven turnovers, and the Packers' offensive line has been historically bad with a 16% pass block win rate. Tampa Bay is winless through three weeks for the first time since 2014, and Tennessee's Cam Ward ranks 28th in EPA per dropback. But the lone 'F' goes to the Los Angeles Chargers. At 0-3, they are the league's greatest disappointment, squandering a four-turnover advantage against Buffalo. The disconnect between new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's scheme and his players is glaring, and an offensive line ranked 27th in pass-block win rate has been penalty-prone. Unless something changes fast, this season could be swallowed whole.
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