NFL Model Questions Undefeated Super Bowl

The New York Times on September 25, 2025, published an analysis using Austin Mock's NFL Projection Model to evaluate the playoff and Super Bowl prospects of the league's undefeated teams. The statistical model focuses on teams that have achieved a 3-0 start to the season, providing a data-driven look at each club's probability of making the playoffs. The goal of the analysis is to offer a more detailed perspective on early-season success that looks beyond a simple win-loss record.

The report highlights the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Chargers, questioning whether their perfect records are truly indicative of their potential to be Super Bowl contenders. By assessing underlying data, the model aims to differentiate between teams with genuine championship potential and those that may have benefited from a less challenging early schedule. The provided source material did not contain the specific playoff probabilities or full rankings for the teams discussed. These projections serve as a statistical forecast of how the undefeated teams might perform over the remainder of the season.