Here are the top five teams in the AFC and NFC — and why each could make a run to Los Angeles for Super Bowl LXI.
AFC
1. Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills remain one of the AFC’s safest championship bets because of Josh Allen. Buffalo has consistently been in the postseason conversation, and Allen gives the Bills the type of elite quarterback play needed to survive the AFC playoff gauntlet. With a roster built to compete on both sides of the football, Buffalo has a strong foundation entering the 2026 season. The biggest question is whether the Bills can finally turn their regular-season success into a Super Bowl appearance.2. Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert enters his age 28 season with sky high expectations. He has Mike McDaniel as his offensive coordinator and Jim Harbaugh as a quarterback whisperer. But will Los Angeles have the defense to get deep into January and February?3. Cincinnati Bengals
Whenever Joe Burrow is healthy, the Bengals have to be considered a championship threat. Cincinnati possesses one of the league’s most dangerous passing attacks, giving the team the ability to win high-scoring games against virtually anyone. The question will be whether the Bengals can consistently complement that offense with enough defense.4. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are built for January football. Lamar Jackson gives Baltimore an incredibly difficult quarterback to defend, while the team’s physical identity and ability to control games on the ground make them a dangerous postseason opponent. Baltimore also has plenty of experience playing in meaningful games. If the Ravens can put everything together under their new-look coaching staff, they have the talent to represent the AFC.5. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars have a budding quarterback in Trevor Lawrence who started to make “MVP rumblings” at the end of the 2025 season if it were not for Matthew Stafford. Travis Hunter enters year 2 as the defense’s main chess piece.NFC
1. Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams enter the season with the strongest Super Bowl odds in the entire NFL. Matthew Stafford returns to lead Sean McVay’s offense, while the addition of Myles Garrett and the return of Aaron Donald give the defense an extraordinary collection of talent. The Rams are currently among the league’s clear Super Bowl favorites.With Puka Nacua and an offense capable of producing explosive plays, Los Angeles has the balance necessary for a championship run.
2. Seattle Seahawks
The defending Super Bowl champions cannot be ignored. Seattle returns with the confidence of having already climbed the mountain, and its defense remains the foundation of the team. The Seahawks also have a balanced roster and an established identity under Mike Macdonald. Repeating is incredibly difficult, but Seattle has earned its place among the NFC favorites.3. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles remain one of the NFC’s most talented rosters. Philadelphia has the physicality, offensive weapons and defensive talent necessary to compete with anyone. Saquon Barkley remains a major offensive weapon, while the health of the offensive line could be one of the biggest factors in determining the Eagles’ ceiling.4. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have too much talent to overlook. Kyle Shanahan’s offense remains one of the NFL’s most creative systems, and San Francisco has playmakers at virtually every important position. If the 49ers can stay healthy and get consistent quarterback play, they have the roster to make another deep postseason run.5. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys enter the season with plenty of pressure but also plenty of talent. Dak Prescott remains capable of leading an explosive offense, while Dallas has the star power necessary to compete in the NFC. The biggest question is whether the Cowboys can finally translate their regular-season potential into postseason success. If they do, they could become a legitimate threat to reach Super Bowl LXI.Pick: Ravens vs. Rams
The Super Bowl logo theory tells me to go with the Jaguars. Maybe it’s the thought of general managers James Gladstone and Les Snead bringing their franchises to the title game. Or previous coaches Liam Coen and Sean McVay dialing up their offenses against one another. Jacksonville took the league by surprise last year and nearly advanced to the divisional round after a back and forth with the Buffalo Bills.But the emergence of Baltimore makes too much sense with two-time MVP Lamar Jackson recouping his form while leaning on Derrick Henry. First year head coach Jesse Minter retools the defense to handle quality offenses like the Bills, Chargers, Broncos, and Jaguars.
Meanwhile, the Rams have had eyes set on Super Bowl LXI since its loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship this past January. They know its within their grasp again…
Score: Baltimore Ravens 23, Los Angeles Rams 29
Super Bowl LXI Champion: Los Angeles Rams.
The Rams have been among the most widely backed teams entering the season, and this prediction ultimately comes down to believing their combination of Stafford, McVay, Garrett, Donald and Nacua is too much to overcome when the biggest games arrive.
