Super Bowl contenders: are the NFL’s unbeaten teams as perfect as they seem?

<p>The early standouts have emerged. But even the best teams have flaws that can be exposed by their opponents</p><p>Who would have thought the 49ers would be here after a rough old offseason? Head coach Kyle Shanahan’s participation in training camp was limited <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jul/25/49ers-kyle-shanahan-concussion-car-crash-training-camp">due to a serious car crash</a>, team owner Jed York’s visit to an Ohio trailer park <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/24/san-francisco-49ers-owner-jed-york-pleads-no-contest-after-arrest-at-ohio-trailer-park">did not end well</a>, and one player after another endured serious injuries. Despite all this, San Francisco are full of positive vibes. They are top of a tough division and their immense defense, led by the intensity of players such as safety Malik Mustapha and Fred Warner, is complemented by an equally impressive offense.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/oct/22/nfl-unbeaten-teams-49ers-chiefs-vikings-bills">Continue reading...</a>