3 Best Bets to Win Super Bowl LXI

Super Bowl Picks in Summary

• Ravens (+1300)
• Lions (+1700)
• Texans (+1700)

With the NFL regular season right around the corner, it's a good time to take another look at the Super Bowl futures market.

The Los Angeles Rams currently sit atop the odds board, but there are — at least in my eyes — other legitimate championship contenders available at more appealing odds.

Using the Super Bowl odds via FanDuel Sportsbook, here are three teams I like to win Super Bowl LXI.

Odds may change after this article is published.

Super Bowl Picks 2026

Baltimore Ravens (+1300)

The Baltimore Ravens are my favorite bounce-back candidate near the top of the Super Bowl market.

The Ravens stumbled to an 8-9 record last season after entering the year with enormous expectations, but the core of a championship-level roster remains intact. Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers, and Mark Andrews give Baltimore plenty of offensive firepower, while Roquan Smith, Marlon Humphrey, Nnamdi Madubuike, and others headline a defense with significant talent.

The biggest reason for optimism is that Baltimore doesn't need to prove it possesses a high ceiling — we've already seen it from many of these same players. A disappointing 2025 has simply pushed the Ravens out to more attractive +1300 odds.

Baltimore also enters the season under new head coach Jesse Minter, whose defensive background could help get the Ravens back to the truly elite tier on that side of the ball.

If Jackson remains healthy and the defense takes a step forward, the Ravens have the talent to return to the top of the AFC.

Detroit Lions (+1700)

The Detroit Lions slipped to 9-8 last season, but the offense remained highly productive. Jared Goff threw for 4,233 yards and 33 touchdowns, Jahmyr Gibbs totaled 1,726 yards from scrimmage and 17 touchdowns, and Amon-Ra St. Brown caught 106 passes for 1,262 yards and 11 scores. With Jameson Williams also coming off a 1,000-yard season and Sam LaPorta at tight end, Detroit still possesses one of the NFL's most dangerous collections of offensive playmakers.

What makes the Lions particularly appealing as a futures bet is their schedule. Using projected 2026 win totals, Sharp Football Analysis rates Detroit's schedule as the easiest in the NFL, with opponents combining for just a .467 winning percentage last season. The Lions get the New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, and Arizona Cardinals within their first five games, while later matchups include the Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons, Tennessee Titans, and New York Giants.

That creates an excellent opportunity for Detroit to pile up wins, contend for the NFC North, and potentially secure favorable playoff positioning.

With an explosive offense, Aidan Hutchinson leading the defense, and one of the league's softest schedules, the Lions are an intriguing Super Bowl value if you're willing to look beyond last year's disappointing record.

Houston Texans (+1700)

The Houston Texans boast one of the better championship formulas in the NFL: an elite defense paired with a quarterback who has already shown he can play at a high level.

The Texans allowed just 17.4 points and 277.2 total yards per game last season, which ranked second and first in the NFL, respectively. Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter are one of the league's premier pass-rush duos, while Houston has plenty of talent throughout the secondary, including Derek Stingley Jr. That defense should keep the Texans competitive against virtually anyone they encounter all season.

The upside largely comes down to C.J. Stroud and the offense. Stroud has Nico Collins as a legitimate No. 1 receiver, and if Houston can get more consistent play from its QB, this is a roster without many obvious weaknesses.

Houston has already established itself as a regular postseason contender. Even with Stroud struggling in last year’s playoffs, the Texans were down just five entering the fourth quarter at the New England Patriots in the Divisional Round.

If Stroud can take a step and the defense remains among the NFL's best, the Texans have enough talent to make a Super Bowl run.

Super Bowl Odds for 2026

Playing fantasy football this season? Here’s some fantasy football content to check out:

• Fantasy Football WR Rankings
• Fantasy Football RB Rankings
• Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet
• Fantasy Football Players to Avoid
• Fantasy Football Breakout Players

Super Bowl Betting FAQ

Who is the favorite to win the Super Bowl?
The Rams enter the 2026 season as clear favorites, sitting at +500 to win the Super Bowl, per the Super Bowl odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.

What does +1000 mean in Super Bowl betting?
Odds of +1000 mean a $10 bet would return $100 in profit if the team wins the Super Bowl, plus the original $10 stake.

When is the best time to bet on Super Bowl futures?
There is no single best time. Betting before the season can offer better odds on teams that eventually outperform expectations while waiting until the season begins provides more information about injuries, roster quality, and team performance.

What should you look for when betting on a Super Bowl winner?
Quarterback play, offensive efficiency, defensive strength, coaching, schedule difficulty, and potential playoff positioning are all important factors to consider.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.