{"id":126759,"date":"2026-05-11T08:53:19","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T11:53:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/predicting-the-5-mostly-likely-super-bowl-61-matchups-before-nfl-schedule-release\/"},"modified":"2026-05-11T08:53:23","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T11:53:23","slug":"predicting-the-5-mostly-likely-super-bowl-61-matchups-before-nfl-schedule-release","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/predicting-the-5-mostly-likely-super-bowl-61-matchups-before-nfl-schedule-release\/","title":{"rendered":"Predicting the 5 mostly likely Super Bowl 61 matchups before NFL schedule release"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The much-anticipated 2026 NFL schedule release<\/a> is right around the corner.<\/p>\n

We know the regular season matchups<\/a>, with dates to be determined. The 2026 schedule features intriguing showdowns that could potentially be a Super Bowl 61 preview.<\/p>\n

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Will the Seattle Seahawks<\/a> defend their title? Can the New England Patriots<\/a> make it back to the Super Bowl? The Los Angeles Rams<\/a>, Seattle Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens<\/a> and Buffalo Bills<\/a> currently have the four best odds to win Super Bowl 61, according to BetMGM<\/a>.<\/p>\n

SUPER BOWL ODDS: <\/strong>Rams, Seahawks lead the way after 2026 NFL Draft<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

NFL SCHEDULE: <\/strong>Home and away matchups for all 32 teams<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

The roadmap to Super Bowl 61 in Los Angeles<\/a> gets clearer once the schedule is released.<\/p>\n

USA TODAY Sports predicts five possible Super Bowl 61 previews during the 2026 regular season. <\/p>\n

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1. Los Angeles Rams vs. Buffalo Bills<\/h2>\n

Josh Allen<\/a> was visibly emotional<\/a> after Buffalo squandered a Patrick Mahomes<\/a>, Lamar Jackson<\/a> and Joe Burrow<\/a>-less postseason. It’s unlikely Allen will be able to avoid his QB rivals during a potential playoff run this year. New Bills head coach Joe Brady is under a lot of pressure to get the team further than his predecessor, Sean McDermott. DJ Moore<\/a>\u2019s arrival is intriguing<\/a>. Is he the No. 1 wide receiver Buffalo\u2019s been looking for since Stefon Diggs<\/a>? We\u2019ll find out a lot about Moore when he\u2019s matched up against Rams CB Trent McDuffie<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Puka Nacua<\/a> and Davante Adams<\/a> should have a decided advantage<\/a> versus Buffalo\u2019s secondary. The Rams’ offensive line versus Ed Oliver<\/a>, Greg Rousseau<\/a> and Bradley Chubb<\/a> is an interesting matchup in the trenches.<\/p>\n

This interconference tilt is at SoFi Stadium, the site of Super Bowl 61.<\/p>\n

The defending champions have a road date in Denver during the regular season. The game presents a juicy matchup between 2025 NFL Offensive Player of the Year WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba<\/a> and 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year CB Patrick Surtain<\/a>. Smith-Njigba had just one catch for 10 yards when covered by Surtain in their lone meeting in Week 1 of 2024, but Smith-Njigba wasn\u2019t Seattle\u2019s primary option then. Sam Darnold<\/a>\u2019s ability to handle Denver\u2019s constant pressures is a key factor in this battle. The Broncos<\/a> have led the NFL in sacks in each of the past two seasons.<\/p>\n

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Sean Payton and the Broncos have to feel like their bad injury luck cost them a chance to represent the AFC in Super Bowl 60. Bo Nix<\/a> is expected to be ready by training camp after a clean-up procedure<\/a> on his right ankle. Denver re-signed its leading rusher in J.K. Dobbins<\/a> and bolstered i<\/span>ts wide receiving corps with the\u00a0acquisition of Jaylen Waddle.<\/a> This Broncos squad appears to be more talented than last year\u2019s group.<\/p>\n

Nobody expects the Chiefs to have two straight losing seasons, right? Patrick Mahomes<\/a> is rehabbing and eyeing a Week 1 return<\/a>. The addition of Super Bowl 60 MVP<\/a> RB Kenneth Walker III<\/a> will help ease the load off Mahomes and the passing game. On defense, the Chiefs found their Trent McDuffie replacement in Mansoor Delane<\/a>. The return of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy shouldn\u2019t be understated, either. He helps bring accountability to the offense.<\/p>\n

The Rams have the most talented team in the NFL entering the season. There\u2019s a reason why they have the best odds (+800) to win Super Bowl 61. The Rams addressed their biggest weakness \u2013 pass defense — this offseason by trading for McDuffie<\/a> and they sealed a free-agent deal with Jaylen Watson<\/a>. Matthew Stafford<\/a>\u2019s durability is a concern at his advanced age, but the 38-year-old didn\u2019t play like a QB pushing 40 during an MVP campaign last season<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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More: <\/strong>Patrick Mahomes is ‘ahead of schedule’<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Houston\u2019s defense versus Philadelphia\u2019s offense is bound to generate storylines pre- and postgame.<\/p>\n

The Texans had a Super Bowl-caliber defense last season, but the unit couldn\u2019t withstand C.J. Stroud<\/a>\u2019s postseason regression, coupled with five interceptions, which equaled a playoff-high with Bears\u2019 Caleb Williams<\/a>. The latest out of Houston is Stroud has put in the work this offseason<\/a> as he hopes to rekindle his 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year magic behind a rebuilt offensive line. The Texans had the NFL\u2019s No. 1 defense last season and are set to return all its key players, plus they added safety Reed Blankenship<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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It\u2019s hard to count out the Eagles. The status of A.J. Brown looms large<\/a> for Philadelphia. With or without Brown, the Eagles\u2019 offensive identity shouldn\u2019t change. They should be a run-oriented football team. New offensive coordinator Sean Mannion\u2019s primary job is to be able to marry the run game with the pass game and revamp what was a basic scheme. The Eagles supplemented the loss of Jaelan Phillips<\/a> with Jonathan Greenard<\/a>. Plus, Philly\u2019s top-10 pass defense should be even stronger with the pickups of corners Riq Woolen<\/a> and Jonathan Jones<\/a>.<\/p>\n

2026 NFL SCHEDULE: <\/strong>Here’s what we already know<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

5. Seattle Seahawks vs. Kansas City Chiefs<\/h2>\n

The Chiefs\u2019 odds to win Super Bowl 61 are at +1600. They are tied with their AFC West rival, the Chargers<\/a>, for the best Super Bowl odds in the division. Kansas City<\/a>\u2019s chances are dependent on Patrick Mahomes\u2019 health<\/a>. The Chiefs’ offense should be better with Kenneth Walker III<\/a>, who will have a revenge matchup against his former club. It\u2019s going to be interesting to see if Rashee Rice<\/a> can be the go-to target the Chiefs need him to be with an aging Travis Kelce<\/a>. The Chiefs\u2019 overhauled secondary is expected to start slowly but should improve as greater continuity develops. Rookies Mansoor Delane, Peter Woods<\/a> and R Mason Thomas<\/a> could all make immediate impacts on Kansas City\u2019s defense.<\/p>\n

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The Seahawks\u2019 dark side defense<\/a> is bound to provide a big test of the Chiefs \u2013 plus they know Walker well. Seattle boasted the NFL\u2019s top scoring defense<\/a> and ranked in the top 10 in both pass rush win rate and run stop win rate last season, per ESPN.<\/p>\n

Aside from being a possible Super Bowl 61 preview, this game provides the requisite storylines of a good regular-season opener<\/a>. The Seahawks can raise their Super Bowl 61 banner, Mahomes\u2019 presumptive return to action, Smith-Njigba vs. Delane, Walker faces his former team and Seattle\u2019s dark side defense against Kansas City\u2019s offense all generate intrigue.<\/p>\n

More: <\/strong>Ranking NFL’s possible season opener matchups: Who gets first crack at Seahawks?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Honorable mentions:<\/strong><\/p>\n