NFL · 6 hours ago

ESPN Ranks the Top 16 NFL Teams Going Into the 2026 Season

John Canady

Host · Writer

16) Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 14-3
- Division Finish: 1st in AFC West
- Head Coach: Sean Payton
Denver's outlook has changed dramatically thanks to the development of Bo Nix. The young quarterback helped stabilize the offense and gave the Broncos reason to believe they're headed in the right direction. With a defense that remains one of the team's strengths, Denver has become a legitimate playoff contender. Another year of growth could put the Broncos firmly in the AFC conversation.

ESPN Chance to Win Super Bowl: 2.6%

Denver Broncos NFL Futures Odds
- Super Bowl LXI Winner +2000
- AFC Winner +1000
- AFC West Winner +210
1) Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles Rams Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 12-5
- Division Finish: 2nd in NFC West
- Head Coach: Sean McVay
The Rams made one of the biggest statements of the offseason by adding Myles Garrett to a defense that was already trending upward. Pairing one of the NFL's premier pass rushers with an offense led by Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua gives Los Angeles legitimate balance on both sides of the ball. The Rams have experience, star power, and a roster built to handle the grind of a postseason run. It's easy to see why many view them as the team to beat entering the season.

ESPN Chance to Win Super Bowl: 14.9%

Los Angeles Rams NFL Futures Odds
- Super Bowl LXI Winner +700
- NFC Winner +380
- NFC West Winner +130
2) Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 12-5
- Division Finish: 2nd in AFC East
- Head Coach: Joe Brady
Buffalo remains firmly in the championship conversation as long as Josh Allen is under center. The Bills have consistently been one of the AFC's toughest outs, and their offense can overwhelm opponents when it gets rolling. The challenge is finally breaking through in the postseason and turning years of contention into a Lombardi Trophy.

ESPN Chance to Win Super Bowl: 10.7%

Buffalo Bills NFL Futures Odds
- Super Bowl LXI Winner +1000
- AFC Winner +500
- AFC East Winner -130
3) Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 8-9
- Division Finish: 2nd in AFC North
- Head Coach: Jesse Minter
Few teams boast a ceiling as high as Baltimore's entering the season. Lamar Jackson continues to play at an MVP level, and the presence of Derrick Henry gives the Ravens a physical identity that wears defenses down. If Baltimore can stay healthy, it has the talent to go toe-to-toe with anyone in the NFL.

ESPN Chance to Win Super Bowl: 9.4%

Baltimore Ravens NFL Futures Odds
- Super Bowl LXI Winner +1000
- AFC Winner +480
- AFC North Winner -130
4) Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 14-3
- Division Finish: 1st in NFC West
- Head Coach: Mike Macdonald
Seattle enters the 2026 season as the reigning Super Bowl champions with a lot to prove. Sam Darnold enters the season with plenty to prove, but he'll have no shortage of weapons around him. The Seahawks have assembled a roster with few glaring weaknesses, making them one of the more intriguing teams in the NFC. If the offense finds consistency, Seattle could exceed expectations in a hurry.

ESPN Chance to Win Super Bowl: 7.0%

Seattle Seahawks NFL Futures Odds
- Super Bowl LXI Winner +1000
- NFC Winner +500
- NFC West Winner +175
5) San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 12-5
- Division Finish: 3rd in NFC West
- Head Coach: Kyle Shanahan
The 49ers remain a threat because their foundation is still among the strongest in football. Brock Purdy has proven he can operate the offense at a high level, while stars like Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, and Nick Bosa give San Francisco impact players at every level. Questions remain after an eventful offseason, but the talent on the roster is difficult to ignore. Few teams can match the 49ers when they're playing their best football.

ESPN Chance to Win Super Bowl: 6.8%

San Francisco 49ers NFL Futures Odds
- Super Bowl LXI Winner +1600
- NFC Winner +750
- NFC West Winner +260
6) Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 9-8
- Division Finish: 4th in NFC North
- Head Coach: Dan Campbell
Detroit has spent the last few years transforming from an up-and-coming team into a legitimate contender. Jared Goff continues to thrive in offensive coordinator John Morton's system, while Amon-Ra St. Brown remains one of the league's most reliable targets. The Lions have built a physical identity that travels well in January. After coming close in recent seasons, expectations are once again sky high in Detroit.

ESPN Chance to Win Super Bowl: 5.2%

Detroit Lions NFL Futures Odds
- Super Bowl LXI Winner +1700
- NFC Winner +850
- NFC North Winner +145
7) Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 6-11
- Division Finish: 3rd in AFC West
- Head Coach: Andy Reid
Until proven otherwise, it's hard to count out a team led by Patrick Mahomes. Kansas City has become the standard in the AFC thanks to its ability to navigate adversity and elevate its play when the stakes are highest. The roster may look different from previous championship teams, but the Chiefs continue to find ways to stay in the mix. As long as Mahomes is healthy, they're a threat to win it all.

ESPN Chance to Win Super Bowl: 4.9%

Kansas City Chiefs NFL Futures Odds
- Super Bowl LXI Winner +1600
- AFC Winner +750
- AFC West Winner +170
8) Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 9-7
- Division Finish: 2nd in NFC North
- Head Coach: Matt LaFleur
The Packers have quietly assembled one of the NFL's most promising young cores. Jordan Love has shown flashes of becoming a franchise quarterback, and Green Bay's offense is loaded with emerging playmakers. The next step is translating potential into postseason success. If that happens, the Packers could become one of the NFC's toughest outs.

ESPN Chance to Win Super Bowl: 4.7%

Green Bay Packers NFL Futures Odds
- Super Bowl LXI Winner +2000
- NFC Winner +1000
- NFC North Winner +230
9) Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 11-6
- Division Finish: 2nd in AFC West
- Head Coach: Jim Harbaugh
The Chargers appear to be trending in the right direction under head coach Jim Harbaugh. Justin Herbert remains one of the league's most talented quarterbacks, and the roster has been built to complement his strengths rather than rely entirely on him. Los Angeles played a more disciplined brand of football last season, something that should pay dividends moving forward. The talent is there for a deep playoff push.

ESPN Chance to Win Super Bowl: 4.4%

Los Angeles Chargers NFL Futures Odds
- Super Bowl LXI Winner +1600
- AFC Winner +750
- AFC West Winner +185
10) Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 11-6
- Division Finish: 1st in NFC East
- Head Coach: Nick Sirianni
Philadelphia continues to be built around one of the NFL's most complete rosters. Jalen Hurts provides stability at quarterback, while Saquon Barkley gives the offense another game-changing dimension. The Eagles have consistently remained among the NFC's elite thanks to their physical style and depth across the roster. Another run at a championship shouldn't surprise anyone.

ESPN Chance to Win Super Bowl: 4.1%

Philadelphia Eagles NFL Futures Odds
- Super Bowl LXI Winner +1800
- NFC Winner +950
- NFC East Winner +140
11) Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 6-11
- Division Finish: 3rd in AFC North
- Head Coach: Zac Taylor
When healthy, the Bengals have the offensive firepower to challenge any team in the league. Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase remain one of football's most dangerous quarterback-receiver combinations, capable of taking over games. Cincinnati's biggest hurdle has often been staying healthy and finding consistency on defense. If those pieces come together, the Bengals have the talent to make noise in the AFC.

ESPN Chance to Win Super Bowl: 4.0%

Cincinnati Bengals NFL Futures Odds
- Super Bowl LXI Winner +2500
- AFC Winner +1200
- AFC North Winner +210
12) Houston Texans
Houston Texans Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 12-5
- Division Finish: 2nd in AFC South
- Head Coach: DeMeco Ryans
Houston's rapid ascent has turned the franchise into one of the league's most exciting teams. C.J. Stroud has already established himself as one of the NFL's rising stars, and the Texans continue to surround him with talent. The roster looks deeper and more complete than it did just a few years ago. Expectations have shifted from rebuilding to competing for championships.

ESPN Chance to Win Super Bowl: 3.2%

Houston Texans NFL Futures Odds
- Super Bowl LXI Winner +2000
- AFC Winner +950
- AFC South Winner +135
13) Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 13-4
- Division Finish: 1st in AFC South
- Head Coach: Liam Coen
The Jaguars enter the season as one of the hardest teams to project, but the upside remains evident. Trevor Lawrence still possesses the talent that made him a highly touted prospect, and Jacksonville has worked to strengthen the roster around him. The AFC is crowded, which leaves little margin for error. If the Jaguars can put everything together, they'll be capable of surprising people.

ESPN Chance to Win Super Bowl: 2.9%

Jacksonville Jaguars NFL Futures Odds
- Super Bowl LXI Winner +4500
- AFC Winner +2000
- AFC South Winner +190
14) New England Patriots
New England Patriots Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 14-3
- Division Finish: 1st in AFC East
- Head Coach: Mike Vrabel
The Patriots have generated plenty of optimism thanks to the emergence of Drake Maye and an aggressive effort to improve the roster. New England appears much closer to relevance than it did a year ago, particularly on offense. The franchise is trying to establish a new identity while returning to playoff contention. This feels like a team that could take a significant step forward.

ESPN Chance to Win Super Bowl: 2.7%

New England Patriots NFL Futures Odds
- Super Bowl LXI Winner +17700
- AFC Winner +800
- AFC East Winner +130
15) Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 7-9
- Division Finish: 2nd in NFC East
- Head Coach: Brian Schottenheimer
The Cowboys always find themselves in the spotlight, and this season will be no different. Dak Prescott leads an offense capable of producing points in bunches, while Dallas continues searching for the postseason breakthrough that has eluded it for years. The talent level remains high across the roster. The question is whether the Cowboys can finally translate that talent into a deep playoff run.

ESPN Chance to Win Super Bowl: 2.6%

Dallas Cowboys NFL Futures Odds
- Super Bowl LXI Winner +2200
- NFC Winner +1200
- NFC East Winner +200
16) Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 14-3
- Division Finish: 1st in AFC West
- Head Coach: Sean Payton
Denver's outlook has changed dramatically thanks to the development of Bo Nix. The young quarterback helped stabilize the offense and gave the Broncos reason to believe they're headed in the right direction. With a defense that remains one of the team's strengths, Denver has become a legitimate playoff contender. Another year of growth could put the Broncos firmly in the AFC conversation.

ESPN Chance to Win Super Bowl: 2.6%

Denver Broncos NFL Futures Odds
- Super Bowl LXI Winner +2000
- AFC Winner +1000
- AFC West Winner +210
1) Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles Rams Team Profile
- 2025 Record: 12-5
- Division Finish: 2nd in NFC West
- Head Coach: Sean McVay
The Rams made one of the biggest statements of the offseason by adding Myles Garrett to a defense that was already trending upward. Pairing one of the NFL's premier pass rushers with an offense led by Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua gives Los Angeles legitimate balance on both sides of the ball. The Rams have experience, star power, and a roster built to handle the grind of a postseason run. It's easy to see why many view them as the team to beat entering the season.

ESPN Chance to Win Super Bowl: 14.9%

Los Angeles Rams NFL Futures Odds
- Super Bowl LXI Winner +700
- NFC Winner +380
- NFC West Winner +130