With no Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City Chiefs in the 2025-2026 playoffs, the tournament to determine the winner of Super Bowl 60 feels more wide open than it has been in several years. There's been a turnover in the top teams, with Seattle, Chicago, Denver, New England, Jacksonville all among the upstarts shaking up the field.
Although from the outside, it would make sense to lean on familiar favorites such as Philadelphia, San Francisco or Buffalo, reality says there's good reason to believe in new blood raising the Lombardi Trophy at Levi's Stadium on Feb. 8.
Here's looking at every playoff team's chances of ending the playoffs with Super Bowl victory, as well as their updated betting odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook:
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NFL playoff power rankings 2026
1. Seattle Seahawks (14-3), NFC No. 1 seed (+390)
The Seahawks have a top defense under Mike Macdonald, capable of stopping the run and also provide tough secondary coverage. Their run-heavy offense is hitting the right notes with rushing production at the right time. Sam Darnold seems like the only question mark, whether he will be efficient throwing downfield or struggle with the turnovers that have plagued him all season.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4), AFC No. 3 seed (+1400)
The Jaguars have the needed QB play with Trevor Lawrence to finally go deep in the playoffs. Liam Coen has learned well from McVay's motivational mind-set and his scheme hit full dynamic stride down the stretch. The defense has some holes, but it is aggressive and smart in forcing key turnovers. Jacksonville has the profile to shock and win it all despite having never played in a Super Bowl.
3. New England Patriots (14-3), AFC No. 2 seed (+850)
The Patriots' offense, led by Drake Maye's MVP caliber breakout in Josh McDaniels' system, has the balance and explosive plays to beat anyone in the field. They need their receivers to have more consistent impact for Maye in the playoffs and for the solid defense to avoid major breakdowns. New England is complete enough to win the Super Bowl, but given the difficult AFC field, knowing what to expect from such a young team is difficult Mike Vrabel is capable of getting out the Patriots' best at the end.
4. Denver Broncos (14-3), AFC No. 1 seed (+800)
The Broncos have been flexing in many close games thanks to Bo Nix taking over in the fourth quarter and a loaded defense built to play closer late. They could use more consistent support from the running game and need to avoid some slow starts that allow opponents to build some offensive confidence. Denver feels vulnerable and volatile, but dangerous and daunting at the same time. Having Super Bowl-winning coach Sean Payton
5. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6), NFC No. 3 seed (+850)
The Eagles cannot be dismissed to follow the Chiefs' repeat, despite some of their offensive dysfunction and defensive lapses in relation to the strong Super Bowl 59 champions. They have the most savvy makeup to make another deep run with their ability to win both shootouts and defensive slugfests. They need Saquon Barkley to be huge in the running game and the run defense to come through to get back to their surefire winning formula.
6. Los Angeles Rams (12-5), NFC No. 5 seed (+450)
The Rams provide the most comfort as NFC contenders because of their winning Super Bowl 56 run with Sean McVay just four playoffs ago. They have a revved up offense per usual with Matthew Stafford and a young, energetic defensive front seven. The core contributors on both sides are a little different, but they have the coach to have them peak again at the ideal time.
7. Chicago Bears (11-6), NFC No. 2 seed (+2100)
The Bears have had a special season under Ben Johnson with the evolution of Caleb Williams, becoming a clutch QB while leading an elite rushing offense. The Bears have their share of defensive issues vs. Power running and deep passing, but they compensate with critical takeaways. The inexperience is a concern, but it wouldn't not be surprising if they at least matched the Commanders' surprise run last year.
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8. Houston Texans (12-5), AFC No. 5 seed (+1500)
The Texans' calling card all season has been dominant defense at every level. Vs. The run, on the pass rush and cleaning up with tough coverage. They have given up some big pass plays of late, but DeMeco Ryans' group remains sound all-around. The Texans' offense has been inconsistent with both run and pass, but C.J. Stroud has had some good playoff winning experience in his first two years and can build on that to be more efficient passing downfield.
9. Buffalo Bills (12-5), AFC No. 6 seed (+1000)
The Bills are dangerous to break through for a Super Bowl with Josh Allen not needing to deal with duels vs. Either Patrick Mahomes or Joe Burrow. But Allen, with his limited weapons when James Cook and the running game are contained, may not have enough to get it done, facing sack and turnover woes in tougher matchups. There also are the continued leaks in run defense. Buffalo will either roll to the Super Bowl or fizzle out in a physical playoff challenge early.
10. San Francisco 49ers (12-5), NFC No. 6 seed (+2000)
The 49ers have overcome a slew of injuries and the offense should be fine with Brock Purdy, Christian McCafrrey and the rest of the key contributors healthy. But the defense without Nick Bosa and Fred Warner and unable to keep others on the field, may not be slow down opponents enough to give the other side a chance. Getting through three road games before maybe playing Super Bowl 60 at Levi's Stadium is a tall order with Robert Saleh trying to be respectable with that injury-riddled unit.
11. Green Bay Packers (9-7-1), NFC No. 7 seed (+2500)
The Packers go into the playoffs limping defensively without Micah Parsons to boost their pass rush and questionable coverage behind it. They also have been wilting a bit against the run. There's a lot of pressure on Jordan Love again to deliver playing off a run-oriented offense with sporadic playmakers. Starting on the road with a questionable playoff history with Matt LaFleur says this isn't their year, either.
12. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6), AFC No. 7 seed (+3000)
The Chargers have been crumbling up front with their offensive line injuries and issues, making the pressure pile on Justin Herbert, even more so than his shaky past playoff performances. The running game isn't always there and the defense, despite a lot of playmakers, tends to be inconsistent. Jim Harbaugh's chances of a deep run are once again slim, still stuck as a wild card in a tough AFC field.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7), AFC No. 4 seed (+8000)
The Steelers held off the Ravens to win the AFC North to give Aaron Rodgers likely one last crack at getting to and winning his second Super Bowl, 15 years removed from beating the Steelers in Super Bowl 45. Pittsburgh has taken its share of defensive lumps and doesn't have much to scare anyone in the passing game beyond DK Metcalf. Rodgers and the running game being locked in are key to surviving a tough wild-card round at home, but there's little upside for Mike Tomlin's team to make noise beyond that.
14. Carolina Panthers (8-9), NFC No. 4 seed (+15000)
The Panthers got the tiebreaker over the Buccaneers and Falcons and won the NFL's weakest division because some team had to qualify for the playoffs. Their offense can disappear when they're not running well and Bryce Young is a roller-coaster from dropback to dropback. Dave Canales' team had an inspiring turnaround for a postseason return, but they will be hard-pressed to grind enough to be competitive in the wild-card round.