... the 49ers are 3-1 (and could be 4-0 without a little magic from Favre); the Bengals are 3-1, scoring an overtime win over Cleveland. Seems like this is the year when traditionally underachieving powers capitalize on their fast starts to stake a playoff claim. But not so fast, my friend. The season is long, and teams have gotten off to fast starts before; raised expectations, hiked up ticket prices, tossed out superlatives, all in time for an epic collapse once mid-October rolls around. The Broncos, 49ers, and Bengals would be wise to partake in this perspective-laden look at ten recent NFL teams that got off to hot starts before going dead-cold and missing their shot at the Super Bowl.

Bleacher Report - NFL