Predicting the 5 mostly likely Super Bowl 61 matchups before NFL schedule release
· Yahoo Sports
The much-anticipated 2026 NFL schedule release is right around the corner.
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We know the regular season matchups, with dates to be determined. The 2026 schedule features intriguing showdowns that could potentially be a Super Bowl 61 preview.
Will the Seattle Seahawks defend their title? Can the New England Patriots make it back to the Super Bowl? The Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills currently have the four best odds to win Super Bowl 61, according to BetMGM.
The roadmap to Super Bowl 61 in Los Angeles gets clearer once the schedule is released.
USA TODAY Sports predicts five possible Super Bowl 61 previews during the 2026 regular 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 be able to avoid his QB rivals during a potential playoff run this year. New Bills head coach Joe Brady is under a lot of pressure to get the team further than his predecessor, Sean McDermott. DJ Moore’s arrival is intriguing. Is he the No. 1 wide receiver Buffalo’s been looking for since Stefon Diggs? We’ll find out a lot about Moore when he’s matched up against Rams CB Trent McDuffie.
Puka Nacua and Davante Adams should have a decided advantage versus Buffalo’s secondary. The Rams' offensive line versus Ed Oliver, Greg Rousseau and Bradley Chubb is an interesting matchup in the trenches.
This interconference tilt is at SoFi Stadium, the site of Super Bowl 61.
2. Denver Broncos vs. Seattle Seahawks
The defending champions have a road date in Denver during the regular season. The game 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 just one catch for 10 yards when covered by Surtain in their lone meeting in Week 1 of 2024, but Smith-Njigba wasn’t Seattle’s primary option then. Sam Darnold’s ability to handle Denver’s constant pressures is a key factor in this battle. The Broncos have led the NFL in sacks in each of the past two seasons.
Sean Payton and the Broncos have to feel like their bad injury luck cost them a chance to represent the AFC in Super Bowl 60. Bo Nix is expected to be ready by training camp after a clean-up procedure on his right ankle. Denver re-signed its leading rusher in J.K. Dobbins and bolstered its wide receiving corps with the acquisition of Jaylen Waddle. This Broncos squad appears to be more talented than last year’s group.
3. Los Angeles Rams vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Nobody expects the Chiefs to have two straight losing seasons, right? Patrick Mahomes is rehabbing and eyeing a Week 1 return. The addition of Super Bowl 60 MVP RB Kenneth Walker III will help ease the load off Mahomes and the passing game. On defense, the Chiefs found their Trent McDuffie replacement in Mansoor Delane. The return of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy shouldn’t be understated, either. He helps bring accountability to the offense.
The Rams have the most talented team in the NFL entering the season. There’s a reason why they have the best odds (+800) to win Super Bowl 61. The Rams addressed their biggest weakness – pass defense -- this offseason by trading for McDuffie and they sealed a free-agent deal with Jaylen Watson. Matthew Stafford’s durability is a concern at his advanced age, but the 38-year-old didn’t play like a QB pushing 40 during an MVP campaign last season.
4. Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans
Houston’s defense versus Philadelphia’s offense is bound to generate storylines pre- and postgame.
The Texans had a Super Bowl-caliber defense last season, but the unit couldn’t withstand C.J. Stroud’s postseason regression, coupled with five interceptions, which equaled a playoff-high with Bears’ Caleb Williams. The latest 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 defense last season and are set to return all its key players, plus they added safety Reed Blankenship.
It’s hard to count out the Eagles. The status of A.J. Brown looms large for Philadelphia. With or without Brown, the Eagles’ offensive identity shouldn’t change. They should be a run-oriented football team. New offensive coordinator Sean Mannion’s primary job is to be able to marry the run game with the pass game and revamp what was a basic scheme. The Eagles supplemented the loss of Jaelan Phillipswith Jonathan Greenard. Plus, Philly’s top-10 pass defense should be even stronger with the pickups of corners Riq Woolen and Jonathan Jones.
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 Chargers, for the best Super Bowl odds in the division. Kansas City’s chances are dependent on Patrick Mahomes’ health. The Chiefs' offense should be better with Kenneth Walker III, who will have a revenge matchup against his former club. It’s going to be interesting to see if Rashee Rice can be the go-to target the Chiefs need him to be with an aging Travis Kelce. The Chiefs’ overhauled secondary is expected to start slowly but should improve as greater continuity develops. Rookies Mansoor Delane, Peter Woods and R Mason Thomas could all make immediate impacts on Kansas City’s defense.
The Seahawks’ dark side defense is bound to provide a big test of the Chiefs – plus they know Walker well. Seattle boasted the NFL’s top scoring defense and ranked in the top 10 in both pass rush win rate and run stop win rate last season, per ESPN.
Aside from being a possible Super Bowl 61 preview, this game provides the requisite storylines of a good regular-season opener. The Seahawks can raise their Super Bowl 61 banner, Mahomes’ presumptive return to action, Smith-Njigba vs. Delane, Walker faces his former team and Seattle’s dark side defense against Kansas City’s offense all generate intrigue.
Honorable mentions:
- New England Patriots @ Detroit Lions
- San Francisco 49ers @ Los Angeles Chargers
- Baltimore Ravens @ Dallas Cowboys
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL schedule release: Ranking 5 mostly likely Super Bowl 61 showdowns