The American sports scene had a huge World Cup-shaped distraction this summer, but with that tournament wrapping up, a lot of the attention is going to switch back to football of the gridiron kind. NFL training camps have started, and the first tranche of preseason games will get underway in a couple of weeks. Before you know it, it will be September and the 2026 season will be in full swing.
But who is backed for glory in the new season? Last season, we had plenty of surprises across the campaign, leading to two preseason underdogs contesting the Super Bowl. Nevertheless, NFL sportsbooks have laid out their odds for the new season, and while we shouldn’t go by the odds alone, it can give us some indication of the center of gravity. Below, we highlight the top teams based on the odds and the latest power rankings:
The Los Angeles Rams
The clear favorite to win the Super Bowl. The Rams looked very good last season, and many expected them to go all the way. They came up short against the eventual champions, the Seahawks, but there has been a lot of good business in LA in recent months, strengthening an already-stacked roster. Nothing is certain, but it does feel like the Rams are ready to rock and entertain the league into the bargain.
Buffalo Bills
Here we go again. The script has been written several times before. We know that the Buffalo Bills are one of the best teams in the NFL. We know that the team represents a city desperate for major sports success. We know that the things we say about the Bills now could have been said in 2025, 2024, 2023, and beyond. The question never seems to change: Can the Bills finally deliver on potential?
Baltimore Ravens
A fascinating season awaits the Baltimore Ravens, though we would say that their status as contenders is the most up in the air of this list. On the one hand, you have the post-John Harbaugh era with a new-look defense and some interesting attack options, and then you have the familiar faces, such as Lamar Jackson. It felt like Baltimore needed a change, but will the team, the new head coach and lynchpins like Jackson gel?
Seattle Seahawks
Is there a sense of injustice when placing the Super Bowl champions as the 4th favorites to retain the championship? The Seahawks will likely relish the opportunity to prove anyone with doubts. To be fair, those doubts are minor, and many believe that the Rams and Seahawks colliding at some point in the NFC postseason bracket could decide the Super Bowl winner.
Philadelphia Eagles
If all the attention is on the Rams and Seahawks in the NFC, could the quietly excellent Eagles go under the radar? They are a kind of “smart money” team in the betting, offering plenty of value in the odds while fans argue about other teams. The Eagles have thrived in the past when sportsbooks underestimated their credentials.
New England Patriots
Definitely one of the teams to watch this season after an historic turnaround campaign last season transformed the Patriots from a 4-13 team to Super Bowl participants. The question, however, is whether last season was evidence of a team defying the odds and ultimately hitting a ceiling, or if there is more room for growth under Mike Vrabel?
Kansas City Chiefs
After years of dominance, the Chiefs’ season spluttered into nothing last year. In a sense, they have the opposite set of circumstances to the Patriots. Was last season the outlier? Or must the Chiefs return to the drawing board? Whatever happens, it looks to be vitally important that Patrick Mahomes is fit. His ACL injury has probably been the most talked-about ailment in recent sports history. Will he be ready for Week 1?
Los Angeles Chargers
In our view, the Chargers are the under-the-radar team to back in the AFC. In fact, this is a roster with enough depth to go all the way. The Chargers were very astute in the offseason, bringing in veteran help like Tyler Biadasz. The Chargers will also be aided by a healthy roster, something they could not rely upon last season.
