There’s still quite some time until February 8th, the day of the sixtieth Super Bowl in NFL history, but the league analysts have already put out some early predictions. Obviously, the favourites are the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, the teams who faced off in SB LIX in New Orleans, Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills. But are there some dark horse franchises, ready to shock the world and lift the Lombardi Trophy without anyone expecting them to?
The NFL offseason is buzzing with speculation, as usual. While the well known contenders dominate the headlines, several dark horses are quietly building rosters that could surprise everyone, once the season kicks off in 45 days. Right now, it’s the perfect moment to scan early predictions, track emerging storylines, and make the most of the bonus bets available on oddschecker on the SB LX winners. Let’s see who could, quietly and surprisingly, snatch the crown.
Franchises to keep an eye on
As every NFL fan knows, it is pretty typical for a season to reserve some surprises. Usually, there is always a team (sometimes a couple) that obtains wonderful results during the regular season and gets to the playoffs, maybe in a particularly good seed. It’s rarer to see them advance to the Super Bowl and win the big game, of course, but who knows? Maybe this will be the year to watch an unforgettable final.
The powerhouses are loaded, but let’s check some other rosters with ascending talent, guts and determination to go for the silverware. The offseason and recent draft altered the NFL Power Rankings and some dark horses could very well emerge in the next few months.
Washington Commanders
The Commanders have everything to be a surprise contender. They enter the 2025 season as one of the most compelling teams in the league. It all starts, obviously, with quarterback Jayden Daniels. He led the team to its first playoff win in nearly two decades, and to an NFC Championship Game appearance as a rookie. His dynamic play and calm under pressure set the tone, thus the front office built aggressively, in order to acquire other weapons.
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The Commanders signed All-Pro left tackle Laremy Tunsil, in a blockbuster trade, to anchor the offensive line. Then they added Deebo Samuel, giving Daniels another explosive weapon alongside Terry McLaurin. Samuel can play as a WR or as a RB in a creative offense. On defense, they addressed the trenches by signing Javon Kinlaw and Eddie Goldman. They also re-signed veteran leaders Bobby Wagner and Jeremy Reaves to maintain continuity. There are quite a lot of names in the Nation Capital. Now, the 2nd year QB must deliver.
Cincinnati Bengals
A few readers could smile at this point, thinking about how Cinci could win with its terrible defense. The answer is simpler than anyone may think: with their electric offense. The Bengals fell short in 2024, missing the playoffs after a late-season push. But the core remains intact, and the bounce-back potential is real. Cincinnati locked up Tee Higgins, on a four-year deal, and extended Ja’Marr Chase, preserving maybe the most dangerous receiver duo in football. With Joe Burrow healthy and surrounded by familiar weapons, the offense should return to elite form. As we anticipated, though, the defense is a variable.
The unit underwent a makeover with the return of Al Golden, who helped guide the Bengals to the Super Bowl as a position coach in 2021. His arrival in Cincinnati brought a new tone and a fresh perspective. The additions of edge rusher Shemar Stewart and linebacker Barrett Carter during the draft addressed long-standing needs, but these boys are rookies.
Houston Texans
After a 2023 season to remember, we missed the powerful Texans last year. They were in the playoffs but failed to impress at any point during the season. In 2025, however, Houston is ready to make a leap from promising to dominant.
C.J. Stroud was amazing two years ago and pretty good in 2024. He now enters year three as one of the most polished and composed quarterbacks in the league. The front office built around him with intention. They bolstered the offensive line and added a versatile backfield, featuring Nick Chubb and Joe Mixon. At receiver, Houston brought in veterans Christian Kirk and Braxton Berrios, while rookie Jayden Higgins is already turning heads in camp. He showed a knack to stretch the field.
Defensively, head coach DeMeco Ryans continues to build a unit that reflects his mindset: physical, accountable, and smart. The AFC South remains wide open but the clear favourite, during the summer, are the Texans.
