The NFL now has global appeal, with fans across the US and beyond eagerly awaiting the start of the new season on September 9. That will kick-start 18 weeks of action, with 272 games to take us through to the postseason and, eventually, Super Bowl 61 in Los Angeles on Valentine’s Day 2027.
But who will be there? It’s not always easy to predict, but we can cite several of the teams getting most of the attention as we begin the new season. From returning champions to teams aggressive in the offseason to teams looking to bounce back from disappointment in 2025, these are our picks for main contenders for the Super Bowl.
LA Rams
If you want an insight into the talent in the Rams’ roster, just have a look at the NFL’s new Top 100 Players of 2026 list, which named three current Rams – Matthew Stafford, Myles Garrett and Puka Nacua – in the top seven. It’s not just that trio, as help will come from top players like Davante Adams, Byron Young, Kyren Williams and others. The Rams are going for it, and they have been made clear favorites in the Super Bowl 61 futures markets. It’s now up to the team to show that they merit that favorites tag.
Seattle Seahawks
The reigning champions will be hungry for more, but are they underrated going into the new season? Some believe that the Seahawks should be a little closer to the Rams in the betting odds. After all, the Seahawks bested the Rams by topping the NFC West and vanquishing them in the postseason last time around. They weren’t just as aggressive as the Rams in the offseason, but they still return a team that answered every question posed to them last season.
Buffalo Bills
Another season, another bout of high expectations for the Buffalo Bills. The team is good enough to contend; we all know that. It contains possibly the best player in the NFL in Josh Allen, and it has the talent and experience to win postseason games. The question, though, is whether the Bills have the nous. Can they win ugly? Win under pressure? Deal with the weight of history of being a team that has constantly come up short when it matters?
Baltimore Ravens
Some sportsbooks have placed the Ravens as second favorites overall, which is quite a gutsy prediction based on last season’s limp performance. There are questions, too, as Jesse Minter replaces long-term head coach John Harbaugh, who has landed in New York with the Giants. Who knows what Minter will bring to Baltimore? But he does have a very strong team to weave his magic on.
Kansas City Chiefs
Which is the real version of the Chiefs? The team that made five Super Bowl appearances from 2019-2024? Or the one that had six wins last season? It’s a burning question for Chiefs fans, and the truth is that we simply do not know. That said, it feels like the most likely outcome is somewhere in between. The Chiefs will likely not be as dominant as they were, but they have too much talent and experience to end up with a losing record again. Much will depend on the rehabilitation of quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
New England Patriots
Have the Super Bowl runners-up been given enough respect? We don’t think so. Mike Vrabel’s team earned its way to the championship game last season, and we think they have been astute in the offseason. Quarterback Drake Maye will be better off for all that postseason experience last term, and he now has AJ Brown to aim for in the wide-receiver role. We wouldn’t rule out a rematch with the Seahawks next February.
