As the NFL season kicks off on September 8, 2026, every team stands at 0-0, but the betting markets have already carved out a clear hierarchy. The Los Angeles Rams enter as the consensus favorites to win Super Bowl LXI, with odds sitting at +500 across major sportsbooks. According to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, the Rams are the only team with single-digit odds, commanding an impressive 18% of the total Super Bowl betting pool at Caesars Sportsbook. "We're really heavy on the Rams," noted Joey Feazel, head NFL oddsmaker at Caesars, in a preseason interview. "Los Angeles has 18% of the money in the entire Super Bowl pool. Usually your favorite isn't going to be a bad position entering the year."
The Favorites' Curse: A Statistical Warning
Yet, history casts a long shadow over such lofty expectations. Over the past 30 seasons, there have been 20 instances where a preseason favorite boasted odds of +500 or better—including iconic squads like the 2007 New England Patriots and the Greatest Show on Turf St. Louis Rams teams from 2000-2002. Remarkably, none of those teams hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. This 0-for-20 record serves as a cautionary tale for bettors and fans alike, suggesting that even the most dominant rosters can falter in the crucible of the playoffs.
Chasing the Rams: The Contenders
Behind the Rams, the Buffalo Bills hold the next-best odds at 10-1, followed by the Baltimore Ravens at 11-1 and the defending champion Seattle Seahawks at 12-1. The Seahawks, who stunned the world last season by winning Super Bowl 60 as a 60-1 long shot, now find themselves among the favorites—a testament to their resilience and the volatile nature of the league. Other notable contenders include the Kansas City Chiefs at 15-1, with the Los Angeles Chargers and San Francisco 49ers close behind at 17-1.
Value and Long Shots
For those seeking value, the Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, and Detroit Lions all sit at 18-1, while a cluster of teams—including the Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, and Houston Texans—are priced at 20-1. At the other end of the spectrum, the Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins are long shots at 500-1, while the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, and Tennessee Titans offer 250-1 odds. As highlighted on Vulius, the Seahawks' improbable run last year proves that no team is truly out of contention, but bettors should weigh the historical trends before diving into the deep end.
The Bottom Line
With the season opener upon us, the Super Bowl odds paint a picture of a league brimming with parity and potential. While the Rams are the clear favorites on paper, the ghosts of past preseason favorites loom large. As the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk reminds us, the journey to Super Bowl LXI is a marathon, not a sprint—and in the NFL, the only certainty is uncertainty.
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