by Al McMordie
Monday, Sep 01, 2025There will be no shortage of contenders for the Vince Lombardi Trophy this season. Super Bowl LX will be played February 7 in Santa Clara, California, at Levi's Stadium. And the 49ers (at 20-1 odds (FanDuel)) are a dark horse to hoist the trophy at their home stadium. Let's take a look at the leading teams (all odds courtesy of FanDuel).
Baltimore Ravens: +700
Philadelphia Eagles: +700
Buffalo Bills: +750
Kansas City Chiefs: +800
Detroit Lions: +1100
Green Bay Packers: +1200
San Francisco 49ers: +1900
Washington Commanders: +1900
Los Angeles Rams: +2000
Cincinnati Bengals: +2200
Denver Broncos: +2200
Houston Texans: +2200
Minnesota Vikings: +2500
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: +2500
Los Angeles Chargers: +2700
Although the majority of Super Bowl-winning teams made the Playoffs the previous season, it has become common over the past 25 seasons for the title winner to have missed the Playoffs entirely the previous year. Since the 2000 season, the following champions won the year after failing to make the Playoffs:
Super Bowl XXXV (2000): Baltimore Ravens
Super Bowl XXXVI (2001): New England Patriots
Super Bowl XXXVIII (2003): New England Patriots
Super Bowl XLIV (2009): New Orleans Saints
Super Bowl XLVI (2011): New York Giants
Super Bowl LII (2017): Philadelphia Eagles
Super Bowl LV (2020): Tampa Bay Buccaneers
For supporters of teams like the 49ers or Bengals, it's heartening to know that many champs have vaulted to the title after failing to reach the post-season. But my pick this upcoming season is a team which has encountered Playoff heartache after Playoff heartache the last few years: the Baltimore Ravens.
Two years ago, the Ravens had the league's best regular season record, at 13-4, and outscored their foes by a whopping 11.94 ppg. Unfortunately, they lost at home to the Kansas City Chiefs, 17-10, in the AFC Championship game. In that defeat, Lamar Jackson committed two of the Ravens' three costly turnovers, and he was outplayed by Patrick Mahomes. Then last season, the Ravens were 12-5, and were tied with the Bills for the AFC's best scoring margin (9.23 ppg). But Buffalo was 1-game better in the standings, and hosted the Playoff game at Highmark Stadium. Turnovers again derailed Baltimore, as the Ravens coughed up the football three times, and lost, 27-25, even though they outgained the Bills by 143 yards.
This season, the Ravens admittedly have a most difficult schedule. Five of their first six games are against Playoffs teams from last season, including road games at Buffalo and Kansas City. And they close the season by playing three of four games on the road, with all three road games against teams that have had winning records each of the past two seasons (Bengals, Packers, Steelers).
The good news for Baltimore is that it has a loaded roster. Besides Jackson (who has won the MVP Award twice), the Ravens' backfield has veteran RB Derrick Henry, who rushed for 1,921 yards and 16 TDs last season. Joining the offense this season will be WR DeAndre Hopkins, one of my favorite all-time players. Although Hopkins is not as dominant as he once was, he'll provide important veteran leadership. The Ravens complement their offense with a strong defense, featuring players like Marlon Humphrey, Kyle Hamilton, Roquan Smith, and Jaire Alexander. And, of course, their coaching staff is solid, with John Harbaugh, as head coach, and Todd Monken and Zach Orr as coordinators. Additionally, Chuck Pagano came out of retirement to join the staff, and will serve as Senior Secondary Coach.
I look for Jackson to exorcise his Playoff demons and lead the Ravens to their 3rd NFL Championship. Take Baltimore at +700 (FanDuel) to win Super Bowl LX.
Good luck, as always,
Al McMordie
Baltimore Ravens: +700
Philadelphia Eagles: +700
Buffalo Bills: +750
Kansas City Chiefs: +800
Detroit Lions: +1100
Green Bay Packers: +1200
San Francisco 49ers: +1900
Washington Commanders: +1900
Los Angeles Rams: +2000
Cincinnati Bengals: +2200
Denver Broncos: +2200
Houston Texans: +2200
Minnesota Vikings: +2500
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: +2500
Los Angeles Chargers: +2700
Although the majority of Super Bowl-winning teams made the Playoffs the previous season, it has become common over the past 25 seasons for the title winner to have missed the Playoffs entirely the previous year. Since the 2000 season, the following champions won the year after failing to make the Playoffs:
Super Bowl XXXV (2000): Baltimore Ravens
Super Bowl XXXVI (2001): New England Patriots
Super Bowl XXXVIII (2003): New England Patriots
Super Bowl XLIV (2009): New Orleans Saints
Super Bowl XLVI (2011): New York Giants
Super Bowl LII (2017): Philadelphia Eagles
Super Bowl LV (2020): Tampa Bay Buccaneers
For supporters of teams like the 49ers or Bengals, it's heartening to know that many champs have vaulted to the title after failing to reach the post-season. But my pick this upcoming season is a team which has encountered Playoff heartache after Playoff heartache the last few years: the Baltimore Ravens.
Two years ago, the Ravens had the league's best regular season record, at 13-4, and outscored their foes by a whopping 11.94 ppg. Unfortunately, they lost at home to the Kansas City Chiefs, 17-10, in the AFC Championship game. In that defeat, Lamar Jackson committed two of the Ravens' three costly turnovers, and he was outplayed by Patrick Mahomes. Then last season, the Ravens were 12-5, and were tied with the Bills for the AFC's best scoring margin (9.23 ppg). But Buffalo was 1-game better in the standings, and hosted the Playoff game at Highmark Stadium. Turnovers again derailed Baltimore, as the Ravens coughed up the football three times, and lost, 27-25, even though they outgained the Bills by 143 yards.
This season, the Ravens admittedly have a most difficult schedule. Five of their first six games are against Playoffs teams from last season, including road games at Buffalo and Kansas City. And they close the season by playing three of four games on the road, with all three road games against teams that have had winning records each of the past two seasons (Bengals, Packers, Steelers).
The good news for Baltimore is that it has a loaded roster. Besides Jackson (who has won the MVP Award twice), the Ravens' backfield has veteran RB Derrick Henry, who rushed for 1,921 yards and 16 TDs last season. Joining the offense this season will be WR DeAndre Hopkins, one of my favorite all-time players. Although Hopkins is not as dominant as he once was, he'll provide important veteran leadership. The Ravens complement their offense with a strong defense, featuring players like Marlon Humphrey, Kyle Hamilton, Roquan Smith, and Jaire Alexander. And, of course, their coaching staff is solid, with John Harbaugh, as head coach, and Todd Monken and Zach Orr as coordinators. Additionally, Chuck Pagano came out of retirement to join the staff, and will serve as Senior Secondary Coach.
I look for Jackson to exorcise his Playoff demons and lead the Ravens to their 3rd NFL Championship. Take Baltimore at +700 (FanDuel) to win Super Bowl LX.
Good luck, as always,
Al McMordie
