It’s never easy to predict who will go all the way in the NFL. There are so many contenders – sleeping giants ready to be awoken, surprise packages coming out of the woodwork late into the season, early favorites falling off in the playoffs, and everything in between.
Nonetheless, we’ve decided to give this fool’s errand our best shot and put together a list of five teams which are capable of raising some eyebrows, and perhaps even getting their hands on the Lombardi trophy next February.
While the regular season doesn’t begin until September, the draft has been and gone, and speculation is already rife. The results of the draft, combined with what we saw last time out, can certainly tell us a few things.
For those aiming to stay ahead this season, tracking NFL futures odds can provide a valuable advantage, especially when using a reliable platform like BetUS Sportsbook to explore strong lines and expert insights.
Here’s the top five franchises most likely to become surprise Superbowl contenders next season.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals need a good season. It’s that simple. It’s been three years since they reached the playoffs and another bad run could see heads start to roll. Zac Taylor and Joe Burrow will know this too well.
This should inspire the whole franchise to improve where they need to: in defense.
Offensively, they were standouts last season, averaging 30 points or more on eight occasions. It is the defense which let them down. However, after adding Dexter Lawrence to the ranks and doing some good work in the draft, Cincinnati fans will expect the organization to beef up the defense and make a strong run at the playoffs, with the hope of making an unlikely Super Bowl tilt.
Indianapolis Colts
The story of the Colts’ season last time out can be summed up by the devastating injury to Daniel Jones, who tore his Achilles tendon in December.
Before this point, they were on fire, going 7-1 in their opening eight, and running through several teams. However, after the injury to Jones, things went downhill fast, with a seven-game losing streak bringing their season to an abrupt end.
A tale of two seasons, if you will.
However, Jones is recovering well and is expected to be back in the fold come the start of the new season, and if he can stay healthy for the full season this time around, the Colts have a much better chance of going all the way than many people think.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys, like the Bengals, were let down huge last season by their defense. Offensively, fans had nothing to complain about. They were top five in scoring and yards per play and have all the attributes to put up similar numbers this term.
If they are to have any success, though, they will need to improve defensively, which, in the eyes of many experts, they appear to have done. They have replaced Matt Eberflus at DC with Christian Parker from Philly, and given him plenty of talent to mold into a strong unit.
Overall, Dallas’ draft has been considered a roaring success, but one particular coup was the pick-up of Caleb Downs, who many expect to make an impact right off the bat come September.
The Cowboys should be able to make their hard work count, get their defense up to scratch, and let their already intimidating offense lead them to a season to remember.
New Orleans Saints
New Orleans had a topsy-turvy season of their own last time out, but in the opposite vein to the Colts. The Saints actually started disastrously before turning things around and winning four of their last five games.
If they can continue that momentum and take it into the new season, New Orleans should be in good shape.
The main plus for the Saints, which has many believing they could surprise people this season, is their offense. The likes of Travis Etienne, Chris Olave and Jordyn Tyson, led by offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, could prove to be unstoppable.
New York Giants
Bringing in John Harbaugh to replace Brian Daboll midway through last season could prove to be a masterstroke by the Giants.
New York has enjoyed one of the best drafts of any franchise in the NFL. They have brought in one of the best coaches in the game and have a quarterback on the brink of breaking out into a superstar.
Of course, it would be a surprise to see New York in the Super Bowl, but anything is possible, and with a roster full of promising young talent and a respected leader at the helm, the Giants could make the playoffs this season, and then who knows?
The NFL is so unpredictable that teams come out of nowhere to surprise almost every season. The usual suspects will get plenty of attention, but teams with the right mix of talent, momentum, coaching and offseason upgrades can change the conversation quickly once the games start.
The Bengals bouncing back, the Cowboys finally getting balanced, a young core like the Giants making a huge leap. Each of these franchises has a shot at exceeding expectations in 2026. If things go right for these teams at the right time, don’t be surprised to see one of these under-the-radar teams still standing when the race to Super Bowl LXI comes to a close.