The 17-game NFL regular season schedule, combined with widespread roster parity and the near-certainty of at least one injury or upset across 17 weeks, drives the overwhelming trader consensus against any team finishing undefeated. Historical precedent reinforces this view, as only the 1972 Dolphins and 2007 Patriots achieved perfection in shorter eras, while no club has posted better than 15-2 since the schedule expanded in 2021. Early 2026 results, including losses by preseason contenders like the Rams and Patriots, align with expectations of rapid setbacks for even the strongest squads. Realistic paths to an undefeated mark would require exceptional roster health, an unusually soft schedule, and consistent execution, factors that have proven unsustainable in recent seasons.