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How the unlikely undefeated crew is getting it finished

October 6, 2026

And then there were three.

The 49ers and Chiefs – who have met in the Super Bowl twice since the 2019 season – account for two of the NFL’s last three undefeated groups. No shock.

The other unbeaten is the Vikings, who just traded their own first-round quarterback bust (J.J. McCarthy) to the Giants and are taking part in with other groups’ first-round quarterback underachievers (Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz).

Two of the Vikings’ wins during a 4-0 begin have come without scoring an offensive landing. That hasn’t occurred in the NFL since the 1923 Chicago Cardinals.

But the most aggressive protection in the NFL is more than doing its half, and the Vikings are successful one-score video games again (three) like they did at a file tempo en route to the playoffs in 2022.

Here are The Post’s NFL energy rankings for Week 5:

1. 49ers 4-0 (2)

Brock Purdy threw two landing passes and Christian McCaffrey ran for a rating as the 49ers discovered the finish zone on three straight second-half possessions to break a tie in a 24-14 win against the weekly slow-starting Broncos. Special groups recovered a fumbled punt return to set up the scoring avalanche. George Kittle outraced former teammate Talanoa Hufanga for the put-away 56-yard landing.

2. Chiefs 4-0 (3)

Kenneth Walker rushed for 177 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead rating with 3:21 left, in a 30-27 win against the Raiders. Patrick Mahomes improved to 7-0 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas (including a Super Bowl victory) by throwing for 225 yards and two touchdowns. Xavier Nwankpa’s interception with one second to go sealed the win.

3. Vikings 4-0 (5)

Will Reichard kicked 5 discipline objectives to present all the scoring in a 15-10 victory against the winless Dolphins and lengthen his consecutive conversions streak to 31. T.J. Hockenson’s career-high-tying thirteenth catch moved the chains and helped run out the clock. The Vikings allowed just 198 yards of whole offense in a revenge sport for defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

4. Bills 3-1 (1)

Josh Allen threw a crushing interception when closing in on field-goal vary with 65 seconds remaining in a 29-26 loss to the Patriots. Khalil Shakir also lost a fumble as the Bills turned the ball over twice—bringing their whole to seven in their last two video games. The loss was the first for head coach Joe Brady and the first at new Highmark Stadium.

5. Bears 3-1 (6)

What does domination look like? The Bears gained more first downs (34) on 89 offensive performs than the Jets ran offensive performs (32) in a 23-12 victory. With Kyle Monangai rumbling for 146 yards and two touchdowns, the Bears held possession for practically 43 minutes. Their three wins are with three completely different quarterbacks taking part in the majority of the sport.

6. Seahawks 3-1 (7)

It required overcoming 14 penalties for a franchise-record 150 yards, but the Seahawks rebounded with a 30-23 victory against the Chargers. Emmanuel Wilson tallied 81 dashing yards and 39 receiving yards and discovered the finish zone on the ground and through the air. It was the first sport since at least 1991 when both groups threw interceptions on their first offensive snap.

7. Ravens 3-1 (8)

The Ravens’ first-half offensive outburst held up in a 24-18 win against the Titans even as quarterback Tyler Huntley performed a scoreless second half (throwing for 63 yards) in place of the injured Lamar Jackson. Derrick Henry scored a landing in his first sport against his former crew. Tyler Loop related a career-long 64-yard discipline aim.

8. Rams 2-2 (9)

Trailing by 10 factors with 4 minutes to go, the Rams scored a pair of touchdowns on runs by Kyren Williams to steal a 24-20 victory against the Eagles. The protection stopped the Eagles on 15 of 16 mixed third- and fourth-down makes an attempt. Head coach Sean McVay beat counterpart Nick Sirianni for the first time in 5 conferences.

9. Jaguars 3-1 (13)

In a matchup of former No. 1 total draft picks and school rivals, Trevor Lawrence’s passing stats (18-of-23 for 227 yards and a landing) weren’t as gaudy as Joe Burrow’s but he guided a 22-17 win against the Bengals. The protection made a fourth-down stop with 50 seconds remaining and recorded an interception for a franchise file ninth straight sport.

10. Raiders 3-1 (10)

The Raiders confirmed as much in their loss to the Chiefs as they did in any of their first three wins. Kirk Cousins handed for 365 yards on 52 makes an attempt, with tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer both going over 80 yards receiving. Confident head coach Klint Kubiak predicted “We’re going to win the game” at halftime.

11. Broncos 2-2 (4)

12. Bengals 2-2 (11)

13. Giants 3-1 (16)

Clinging to a six-point lead, the Giants stopped 4 straight passes from the 4-yard line and clinched a 36-24 win against the Cardinals on Deonte Banks’ 98-yard pick-six as time expired. Jameis Winston threw for 250 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions in one of his trademark roller-coaster performances. The Giants are 3-0 at home for the first time since 2008.

14. Eagles 2-2 (12)

15. Browns 3-1 (21)

16. Patriots 2-2 (18)

17. Colts 2-2 (19)

18. Cowboys 2-2 (20)

19. Panthers 2-2 (25)

20. Lions 2-2 (14)

21. Steelers 2-2 (15)

22. Falcons 2-2 (26)

23. Packers 2-2 (27)

24. Saints 1-3 (17)

25. Commanders 1-3 (23)

26. Cardinals 1-3 (24)

27. Texans 0-4 (22)

28. Jets 1-3 (28)

No discuss of ethical victories or being “close” this week after the loss to the Bears. Not when the Jets were 0-for-7 on third down and managed just 157 yards of offense. Minkah Fitzpatrick ended an NFL-record drought of 20 straight video games without an interception. But the Jets could’ve had 4 picks – if not for three negated by penalties.