Athletics

The Road to Santa Clara

Which Teams Will Make It to the Super Bowl This Year?

By Luca Leone '27 in Winter 2026

The road to Super Bowl LX is officially underway, and before a snap of playoff football is played, I have locked in my picks. As of January 7th, ahead of the first round of the NFL playoffs, here are my top three contenders from both the NFC and AFC.

My favorite team out of the AFC is the Buffalo Bills. Currently, they are the sixth-favorite team to win the Super Bowl. Even though the Bills had some ugly games during the regular season, all that matters is making it into the playoffs, not how you got there. Additionally, the Bills have the best player in the entire playoffs in quarterback Josh Allen, who consistently rises to the occasion in the postseason. In 13 playoff games, Allen has thrown for 3,359 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and only four interceptions. In the past, the only obstacle in the Bills' way has been Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, who have beaten Buffalo in the playoffs four out of the last five years.

Next, I have the Denver Broncos. The Broncos are the number one seed in the AFC, and according to ESPN, they have the best odds to win the Super Bowl on the AFC side. They have ridden the backs of their elite defense, which has allowed the second-fewest yards per game and is the best team at bringing down the quarterback. Despite the defense playing at an elite level, the offense has been shaky, and the Broncos have played close games against weaker teams. They barely beat a Patrick Mahomes-less Chiefs team, only beat the 5-12 Commanders in overtime, and defeated the 3-14 Raiders by just one touchdown.

My third favorite team in the AFC is the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars have been on fire recently, as they have outscored their opponents 207-86 over the last six weeks. This stretch includes an impressive 34-20 win over the number-one-seeded Broncos.

Moving on to the NFC, my favorite team is the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks have been dominant this year, and have consistently shown up in games against tough competition. They boast an elite defense that has allowed only 31 touchdowns all season, and also have arguably the best receiver in football in Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

My second pick in the NFC is the Los Angeles Rams. Despite suffering some ugly losses recently to the Panthers, Falcons, and a tough overtime loss to the Seahawks, the Rams have still proven themselves to be one of the most dynamic teams in the league. They have the MVP favorite in quarterback Matthew Stafford, who leads the league in both passing yards and passing touchdowns. The Rams also feature Puka Nacua, who is arguably the most explosive wide receiver in football and his connection with Stafford is unmatched.

My third favorite team to win the NFC is the Philadelphia Eagles. While the Eagles have looked bad at times this season, they also possess the championship DNA needed to succeed in the playoffs and have proven they can beat strong teams. They have wins against the Buccaneers, Chiefs, Lions, and Packers, all of whom were ranked in the top ten at the time they played Philadelphia.

These are my favorites to win from each side, but they are merely predictions based on what I have seen throughout the season and which teams have stood out to me. Regardless of the outcome, the NFL playoff season is always one of the most exciting times of the year, and I look forward to seeing whether my predictions hold true.