Sports

NFL predictions, 2026: Most likely Super Bowl matchups as training camps begin

NFL Spin Zone · Jul 22, 2026 22:00 · 4 min read

NFL Predictions, 2026: Most likely Super Bowl matchups as training camps begin — Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

With training camps across the NFL ramping up, let's dive into our predictions of the most likely Super Bowl LXI matchups for the 2026 season.

We are still a way away from the Super Bowl, but that won't stop us from talking about it. If the trend from 2025 holds into 2026, two non-playoff teams from this past season will make the big game this year.

At the end of the day, though, while there is a lot of parity in the NFL, the juggernauts are typically standing in the end, so the Super Bowl LXI matchup this year might not end up being much of a shock at all.

With training camps slowly beginning across the NFL, let's get ahead of ourselves a bit and predict the five most likely Super Bowl LXI matchups for the 2026 NFL Season.

Predicting the most likely Super Bowl matchups in 2026 as training camps begin

5. Cincinnati Bengals vs. Los Angeles Rams

In what would be a rematch of Super Bowl LVI, the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams would be a very likely matchup in my opinion. The Rams making it to the Super Bowl feels rather self-explanatory, as this team was among the best in the league last year, but some below-average defensive performances ended their season.

The Rams also went all-in this offseason, not only acquiring Trent McDuffie and signing Jaylen Watson to fix the secondary, but also swinging what could be the biggest trade in NFL history for Myles Garrett.

On paper, this is the best team in the NFL, and they went 12-5 last year and did find a way to improve. Not only that, but Sean McVay has won a Super Bowl already, and quarterback Matthew Stafford just won the MVP.

As for the Bengals, I am getting 2021 vibes from this team, as they aggressively improved the defense this offseason and are clearly looking to snap this three-year playoff drought streak. In the two years the Bengals went into the playoffs, they at least advanced to the AFC Championship Game.

So when the Bengals do get in, they go quite far, and if the defense is even average, Cincy has a shot.

4. New England Patriots vs. Los Angeles Rams

Could the New England Patriots repeat as AFC champions? They absolutely could, as this team did it once and could simply be for real. Many people identified the Patriots insanely easy schedule last year as the primary reason why this team went so far, but there is also a chance that this team does know how to win and will continue to be atop the NFL.

Sure, the schedule gets harder, but the Patriots aren't the only team in the AFC with a tough late in 2026.

3. Denver Broncos vs. Seattle Seahawks

In what would be a rematch of Super Bowl XLVIII, the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks could meet. Seattle getting back to the Super Bowl would not be a huge shock, as this team was the most balanced in the NFL this past season and are returning many of the same faces.

Sure, it's quite difficult to get back to the big game, let alone win two in a row, but this team is built for it. The defense is among the best and deepest unit in the league, and Mike Macdonald runs the show on that side of the ball, so the odds of a regression feel low.

Yes, the offense lost Klint Kubiak, but there is reason to believe that Sam Darnold being with the team for another year could bring more comfortability for the unit as a whole.

As for the Denver Broncos, it's a rather simple argument, as the team was likely in the Super Bowl in 2025 had Bo Nix not broken his ankle. This team was good enough to make it last year and should remain good enough to make it this year.

2. Buffalo Bills vs. Los Angeles Rams

For years, the Buffalo Bills have faltered in the playoffs, as quarterback Josh Allen actually has the most playoff wins of a quarterback that has not started in the Super Bowl. Something has to change, right?

Right??

Well, no, but the Bills did make a head coaching change, going from Sean McDermott and Joe Brady, and that could be enough. Allen is still excellent and one of the best players in the NFL, and we have seen this team in the playoffs each year since 2019, so perhaps one season of the Bills making it to the Super Bowl wouldn't surprise us.

It honestly feels like the odds get more in their favor with each passing year, because how many more times can this team lose in a similar fashion in the playoffs?

1. Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Rams

The two conference losers from 2025, the Broncos and Rams meeting in Super Bowl LXI would not be a shock and is our most likely Super Bowl matchup in our latest predictions. The Broncos were on the cusp of the Super Bowl last year as we noted above, and the Rams aggressively filled their most urgent roster needs.

All in all, if things don't go south and happen as we expect, Denver and Los Angeles playing in the final game of the season would be likely.