Super Bowl Best Bets: 5 Teams to Bet for Super Bowl 61

After hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in February, the Seattle Seahawks will attempt to defend their Super Bowl title in the 2026 NFL season, battling it out against a top-heavy league with plenty of contenders lurking in the shadows. That includes the Detroit Lions with health back on their side, as well as a slew of opponents in the AFC that are built to make a deep run in the playoffs.

My Favorite Super Bowl Futures for Super Bowl 61

Seattle Seahawks (+1200, FanDuel)

As the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks enter the 2026 NFL season as the team to beat after retaining a majority of their roster that carried them to a title last year. On defense, they're bringing back a group that comfortably led the league in defensive DVOA.

Sam Darnold’s resurgence was no fluke either, leaping into the top 10 in EPA per play, CPOE, and air yards/reception. Even if Darnold struggles to recapture the same success he had last year in their new system, the production he receives from their defense will help mask any slow start, keeping them firmly in contention to make another run at the Super Bowl.

Detroit Lions (+1900, DraftKings)

With health back on their side, the Detroit Lions possess one of the most explosive offenses in the league, a unit that can give any stalwart defense fits—especially with their offensive line expected to return to dominant form, giving Jared Goff the protection he needs to ward off Havoc.

Detroit’s schedule also puts them in a great position to compete for the number one overall seed, giving them a massive edge should they capture the playoff bye. If the Lions address their secondary during the regular season, they will be able to cut through the variance, making it easier for them to pull away on the scoreboard on a weekly basis.

Buffalo Bills (+1100, FanDuel)

Turning our sights toward the AFC, Josh Allen has all the tools needed to get the monkey off his back and finally make an appearance in the Super Bowl. DJ Moore gives the Bills' WR room a much-needed boost, creating more space for their secondary skill players to help sustain their drives down the field.

The Bills also field one of the best offensive lines in the league, reducing the amount of pressure Allen has to deal with in the backfield and improving the quality of his throws. If their new additions to the front seven prove they can stop the run more effectively, then the Bills will arguably be in a tier of their own in a competitive AFC.

Baltimore Ravens (+1200, FanDuel)

Keeping our attention toward the top of the AFC, positive regression looms large over Baltimore with Lamar Jackson back at full health, giving their offense the versatility it needs to stay ahead of the sticks. Nnamdi Madubuike is also expected to make his return to the field, an important piece of their defense who excels at stuffing the run.

When healthy, the Ravens consistently hover near the top of the board in DVOA and in Success Rate. While a new head coach does give me some pause, it’s tough to ignore the talent on both sides of the ball, making the Ravens worth a wager at their current odds before they steadily trickle down as the season progresses.

Houston Texans (+2000, Caesars)

A play purely based on their current odds, the Houston Texans at +2000 is one of the bigger discrepancies in the market when compared to preseason projections. Their current DVOA gives them a 13.7% chance of winning the Super Bowl, shading them closer to the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams at the top of the oddsboard.

Published Aug 7, 2026, 4:00 AM ET