The NFL will be back in action before we know it, players have returned to the practice fields and the pre-season action will soon be under way.
So, the big question is who will follow Seattle Seahawks and become the 2026-27 Super Bowl champions?
The betting odds for the new campaign were posted soon after the ticker tape settled on the Seahawks' impressive 29-13 win over New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium in February and Mike Macdonald's team are only the fourth favorites to retain their crown.
That's because the clear market leader plays in their own division in the NFC West, with Los Angeles Rams expected to make a real run at the biggest prize in football after acquiring Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett in a blockbuster trade with Cleveland Browns in June.
Let's look at the best betting options for the Super Bowl before the pre-season action gets started.
2026-27 Super Bowl Predictions
Los Angeles Rams (+550)
The Rams clearly did not enjoy seeing their NFC West rivals the Seahawks lifting the Vince Lombardi Trophy last season and they have taken every step possible to ensure it does not happen again.
They will head into the new campaign fielding last year's MVP in quarterback Matthew Stafford, as well as the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year Garrett, who set the NFL single-season sacks record with 23 for the Browns.
The Californian club had to pay a heavy price to land Garrett, giving up three high draft picks plus elite young edge-rusher Jared Verse, but, with Stafford now 38 and Garrett having turned 30, they are all-in and expecting swift returns.
The Rams were not far off last season, splitting their regular-season meetings with the Seahawks before losing 31-27 to their rivals in the NFC Championship Game, and the chances are they would have also taken care of the Patriots if they had made the Super Bowl.
Head coach Sean McVay is considered one of the best in the game and his offense is loaded with weapons in wide receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams and a platoon of tight ends led by Colby Parkinson and Tyler Higbee.
They also have an elite running back duo in Kyren Williams and Blake Corum, who played a major role in the second half of last season.
Defensively, the loss of Verse is a blow, but Garrett brings a major headache for every opposing offensive coordinator he faces and there is even talk of former star Aaron Donald coming out of retirement to play alongside him.
The +550 Rams have made their intentions clear and they have the personnel required to carry out their plan.
Cincinnati Bengals (+2000)
A potential Rams versus Bengals Super Bowl sounds familiar because that was the match-up in February 2022, when the Rams won 23-20 in their home stadium.
The Bengals made the AFC Championship Game again the following season, but have missed the playoffs in three successive years since. However, they look set to make a strong run this time and are attractively priced at +2000.
The key to the Bengals' hopes is quarterback Joe Burrow staying healthy as he made only eight starts last season and 10 in 2023 due to injuries.
With a chance to have an injury-free pre-season this time, he looks set to star once more and, with wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins still around and running back Chase Brown coming off a strong campaign, the Bengals are well set offensively.
Their weak point in recent seasons has always been on the other side of the ball - they lost games by 39-38, 47-42 and 39-34 last year - but the outlook is brighter for their defense this time.
They traded for elite defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and added fellow lineman Jonathan Allen and pass-rusher Boye Mafe in free agency, along with versatile defensive back Kyle Dugger.
That should make them much more solid in the middle and if their defense can be merely league average, their offense can win games.
The Bengals were the only team in the AFC North to retain their head coach this season and the change of leadership at the Baltimore Ravens in particular could be underestimated in the markets.
Chicago Bears (+2500)
For a second futures bet in the NFC, Chicago Bears deserve consideration at +2500.
They have been on a steep upward curve since head coach Ben Johnson arrived and last season's title in the highly competitive NFC North with an 11-6 record bodes well for their future.
The Bears went on to beat the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round before losing to the Rams in overtime in the divisional round and that playoff experience should help this year.
Quarterback Caleb Williams looks like a special talent and he has a host of offensive options led by Rome Odunze, Luther Burden and tight end Colston Loveland, with D'Andre Swift at running back.
Free-agent linebacker Devin Bush and rookie safety Dillon Thieneman strengthen a defense that was at times a weak point and the Bears could make some noise this season despite a first-place schedule.
Read more betting picks and predictions for NFL on site
Super Bowl LXI odds
Los Angeles Rams | +550 |
Buffalo Bills | +1000 |
Baltimore Ravens | +1000 |
Seattle Seahawks | +1100 |
Kansas City Chiefs | +1600 |
Los Angeles Chargers | +1600 |
New England Patriots | +1600 |
Philadelphia Eagles | +1800 |
San Francisco 49ers | +1800 |
Detroit Lions | +1800 |
Houston Texans | +1800 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
