Predicting the 5 most likely Super Bowl 61 matchups before NFL schedule release
The much-anticipated 2026 NFL schedule release is true round the nook.
We know the regular season matchupswith dates to be decided. The 2026 schedule options intriguing showdowns that might doubtlessly be a Super Bowl 61 preview.
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Will the Seattle Seahawks defend their title? Can the New England Patriots make it again to the Super Bowl? The Los Angeles Rams,Seattle Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills at the moment have the 4 greatest odds to win Super Bowl 61, according to BetMGM.
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The roadmap to Super Bowl 61 in Los Angeles will get clearer as soon as the schedule is launched.
USA TODAY Sports predicts 5 potential Super Bowl 61 previews throughout the 2026 common season.
1. Los Angeles Rams vs. Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen was visibly emotional after Buffalo squandered a Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow-less postseason. It’s unlikely Allen will have the ability to keep away from his QB rivals throughout a possible playoff run this 12 months. New Bills head coach Joe Brady is below a number of stress to get the crew additional than his predecessor, Sean McDermott. DJ Moore‘s arrival is intriguing. Is he the No. 1 broad receiver Buffalo’s been searching for since Stephen Diggs? We’ll discover out loads about Moore when he is matched up in opposition to Rams CB Trent McDuffie.
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Puka Nacua and Davante Adams ought to have a (*61*) versus Buffalo’s secondary. The Rams’ offensive line versus Ed Oliver, Greg Rousseau and Bradley Chubb is an attention-grabbing matchup in the trenches.
This interconference tilt is at SoFi Stadium, the website of Super Bowl 61.
The defending champions have a street date in Denver throughout the common season. The sport presents a juicy matchup between 2025 NFL Offensive Player of the Year WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba and 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year CB Patrick Surtain. Smith-Njigba had only one catch for 10 yards when lined by Surtain of their lone assembly in Week 1 of 2024, however Smith-Njigba wasn’t Seattle’s main possibility then. Sam Darnold‘s capacity to deal with Denver’s fixed pressures is a key issue on this battle. The Broncos have led the NFL in sacks in every of the previous two seasons.
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Sean Payton and the Broncos must really feel like their unhealthy damage luck price them an opportunity to signify the AFC in Super Bowl 60. Bo Nix is predicted to be prepared by coaching camp after a clean-up procedure on his proper ankle. Denver re-signed its main rusher in J.K. Dobbins and bolstered its broad receiving corps with the acquisition of Jaylen Waddle. This Broncos squad seems to be extra proficient than final 12 months’s group.
Nobody expects the Chiefs to have two straight shedding seasons, proper? Patrick Mahomes is rehabbing and eyeing a Week 1 return. The addition of Super Bowl 60 MVP R.B. Kenneth Walker III will assist ease the load off Mahomes and the passing sport. On protection, the Chiefs discovered their Trent McDuffie substitute in Mansoor Delane. The return of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy should not be understated, both. He helps deliver accountability to the offense.
The Rams have the most proficient crew in the NFL coming into the season. There’s a purpose why they’ve the greatest odds (+800) to win Super Bowl 61. The Rams addressed their largest weak spot – move protection — this offseason by trading for McDuffie they usually sealed a free-agent take care of Jaylen Watson. Matthew Stafford‘s sturdiness is a priority at his superior age, however the 38-year-old did not play like a QB pushing 40 throughout an MVP campaign last season.
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More: Patrick Mahomes is ‘ahead of schedule’
Houston’s protection versus Philadelphia’s offense is sure to generate pre- and postgame storylines.
The Texans had a Super Bowl-caliber protection final season, however the unit could not stand up to CJ Stroud‘s postseason regression, coupled with 5 interceptions, which equaled a playoff-high with Bears’ Caleb Williams. The newest out of Houston is Stroud has put in the work this offseason as he hopes to rekindle his 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year magic behind a rebuilt offensive line. The Texans had the NFL’s No. 1 protection final season and are set to return all their key gamers, plus they added security Reed Blankenship.
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It’s exhausting to depend out the Eagles. The status of AJ Brown looms large for Philadelphia. With or with out Brown, the Eagles’ offensive identification should not change. They must be a run-oriented soccer crew. New offensive coordinator Sean Mannion’s main job is to have the ability to marry the run sport with the move sport and revamp what was a primary scheme. The Eagles supplemented the loss of Jaelan Phillips with Jonathan Greenard. Plus, Philly’s top-10 move protection must be even stronger with the pickups of corners Riq Woolen and Jonathan Jones.
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5. Seattle Seahawks vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs’ odds to win Super Bowl 61 are at +1600. They are tied with their AFC West rival, the Chargersfor the greatest Super Bowl odds in the division. Kansas City‘s likelihood is depending on Patrick Mahomes’ health. The Chiefs’ offense must be better with Kenneth Walker IIIwho can have a revenge matchup in opposition to his former membership. It’s going to be attention-grabbing to see if Rashee Rice could be the go-to goal the Chiefs want him to be with an growing old Travis Kelce. The Chiefs’ overhauled secondary is predicted to start out slowly however ought to enhance as better continuity develops. Rookies Mansoor Delane, Peter Woods and R Mason Thomas may all make rapid impacts on Kansas City’s protection.
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The Seahawks’ dark side defense is sure to supply a giant take a look at of the Chiefs – plus they know Walker properly. Seattle boasted the NFL’s top scoring defense and ranked in the prime 10 in each move rush win price and run cease win price final season, per ESPN.
Aside from being a potential Super Bowl 61 preview, this sport gives the storyline necessities of a good regular-season opener. The Seahawks can increase their Super Bowl 61 banner, Mahomes’ presumptive return to motion, Smith-Njigba vs. Delane, Walker faces his former crew and Seattle’s darkish aspect protection in opposition to Kansas City’s offense all generate intrigue.
More: Ranking NFL’s possible season opener matchups: Who gets first crack at Seahawks?
Honorable mentions:
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Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on @TheTylerDragon.
This article initially appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL schedule release: Ranking 5 most likely Super Bowl 61 showdowns
