Entering the 2026 NFL season, there’s no escaping the variety of expectations each of the 32 teams has. Some are starting a rebuild and will already be thinking about the 2027 Draft, while others are hoping to bounce back from disappointing years. Several, though, are targeting the Lombardi Trophy.
A lot of football is due to be played before Super Bowl LXI in February 2027, but a few teams have already been picked out as favorites in the latest Super Bowl odds on Vegas Insider. The Los Angeles Rams are most fans’ selection for success this year, although reigning champion Seattle and other elite teams like the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, and Philadelphia Eagles might harbor lofty aspirations too.
But a few who aren’t regarded as serious contenders will hope to put a dominant streak together that might make them a postseason threat. Not many expected the Seahawks to finish atop the pile last year, and these three might feel as though they can emulate that success in 2027.
The AFC West is an absolute bloodbath, and many believe that either the Kansas City Chiefs or the Denver Broncos will win the division. And while Jim Harbaugh’s Los Angeles Chargers are often touted as a dark horse before ultimately falling short of their goal, 2026 could be a different story.
Last year was a promising one for LA, as it went 11-6 before crashing out in the Wild Card round. But Mike McDaniel’s arrival as offensive coordinator could take quarterback Justin Herbert to the next level, as the former Miami head coach proved he was capable of creating an elite offense with the Dolphins.
You also have to remember that the Chargers were playing without starting tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, both of whom should be healthy for the new season. There are questions regarding how the defense might fare after Jesse Minter’s departure, but if Chris O’Leary can get the best out of the likes of Tuli Tuipulotu, Khalil Mack, first-round pick Akheem Mesidor and everyone else, then we’re looking at a serious team.
Although Chicago reached the Divisional Round last season, there were some shaky moments where Caleb Williams was required to make huge plays. The Bears won six games when trailing in the final two minutes, and that is potentially why they are +2500 to win the Super Bowl across multiple sportsbooks.
But Ben Johnson will feel as though his team can take that next step. For one, Williams will only get better after another season as a professional. That means quicker throw times, better decision-making, and getting more accustomed to Johnson’s playbook, with Tampa Bay icon Gerald McCoy making a bold claim about Williams and suggesting that he can become the best quarterback in the league.
Moreover, Colston Loveland looks set for a breakout season where he cements himself as one of the better tight ends in the league, having racked up 713 receiving yards and six touchdowns as a rookie. And then there’s the offseason additions.
Chicago addressed defensive needs in the offseason, bringing in Super Bowl winner Coby Bryant, who will miss games early in the season due to an injury, but there are high hopes for fellow safety Dillon Thieneman. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will need to address shortcomings from last season, which saw the Bears rank in the top 10 for points allowed and yards per play – if he does, that will make the team a threat to most opponents in the NFC.
Speaking of defensive weakness, the only team to allow more yards per play than Dallas last season was the Cincinnati Bengals. The Cowboys also gave up the most points, and ranked third to last for takeaways, so some might laugh at the suggestion that America’s Team, currently priced at +2500, is a dark horse to win a first Super Bowl since 1996.
However, the arrival of defensive coordinator Christian Parker gives cause for optimism that Dallas will improve without the ball. As defensive backs coach for the Philadelphia Eagles, he played a key part in the team’s Super Bowl success in 2025. After coaching Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, playing a key role in them earning All-Pro honors, there’s hope he can make a similar impact on the likes of Cobie Durant, DaRon Bland, and the wider defense.
If Parker hits the ground running in Year 1, then the offense just needs to replicate what it produced last season. The Cowboys ranked second in total yards last season, were a top-five team for passing touchdowns, and a top-10 team for rushing touchdowns. Only Jared Goff and MVP Matt Stafford threw the ball for more yards than Dak Prescott in 2025, and the prospect of him, CeeDee Lamb, and George Pickens linking up again should make for exciting football.
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