The NFL playoffs are basically a high-stakes car crash where only one person walks away without a scratch. Right now, everyone is staring at the bracket for Super Bowl LX, trying to figure out if the chalk holds or if we’re about to see some absolute chaos in Santa Clara. Honestly, predicting who will win the next Super Bowl usually feels like throwing darts in a dark room, but this year the data is screaming a few specific names.
Levi’s Stadium is the destination. February 8, 2026, is the date.
If you’ve been following the season, you know the Philadelphia Eagles finally climbed the mountain last year, crushing the Chiefs 40-22 to win Super Bowl LIX. But Philly is already out. They got bounced in the Wild Card round by the 49ers, which means the throne is wide open. No repeat this time.
The Case for the Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks finished the regular season at 14-3. That’s not just a good record; it’s a "we might be unstoppable" record. Mike Macdonald has turned that defense into a literal nightmare for offensive coordinators. They rank first in DVOA and allow only about 17 points a game.
It’s kind of wild to think about.
A couple of years ago, people were writing Sam Darnold’s NFL obituary. Now? The guy is leading the NFC’s top seed. He’s got Jaxon Smith-Njigba—who just led the league in receiving yards—and a backfield that doesn’t quit. When you have the best scoring defense and an offense that’s putting up 28 points a game, you’re the favorite for a reason. Vegas currently has them at +270 or +300 depending on where you look.
History loves them, too.
Only five teams have ever finished #1 in defensive DVOA and #1 in overall DVOA in the same season. Four of them won the Lombardi. Seattle is on track to be the sixth.
Can Josh Allen Finally Bring One to Buffalo?
The AFC is a weird place right now. For the first time in what feels like forever, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Joe Burrow are all watching the playoffs from their couches. Their teams didn't even make the cut. This leaves a massive power vacuum, and the Buffalo Bills are rushing to fill it.
Josh Allen is the reigning MVP. He’s also the most dangerous player left in the tournament.
The Bills made a statement by smacking the Jaguars 27-24 in the Wild Card round. They’re sitting at +550 to +650 to win it all. The narrative is almost too perfect: the "playoff bugaboo" (the Chiefs) is gone.
Why the Bills Might Falter
- Run Defense: They are bottom-five in the league at stopping the run. If they face a team like the Rams or Seahawks who can ground-and-pound, Buffalo might be in trouble.
- Supporting Cast: Outside of James Cook (who actually led the league in rushing), Allen’s receiving corps is... let's say "unproven."
But honestly? It's Josh Allen. When he puts on the "Superman cape," the X's and O's usually go out the window.
The Dark Horses and the "Savvy" Veterans
Don’t sleep on the Los Angeles Rams. Sean McVay is still a wizard, and Matthew Stafford is playing some of the best football of his life at 37 years old. They just took down the Panthers 34-31, and their odds are hovering right around +320.
The Rams are playing "bully ball." They use three tight ends more than almost anyone else, forcing you to play heavy, and then they let Kyren Williams and Blake Corum run right over you. If the Seahawks slip up in the Divisional round, the Rams are the most likely team to represent the NFC.
Then there's the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos.
The Broncos are 14-3 and have a first-round bye. Sean Payton has turned Bo Nix into a hyper-efficient machine. On the flip side, Drake Maye has the Patriots at +600 after a dominant 16-3 defensive win over the Chargers. Both of these teams have the coaching and the defensive identity to win three games in a row.
Who Will Win the Next Super Bowl?
If you’re looking for a definitive answer on who will win the next Super Bowl, the smart money is on a Seattle Seahawks vs. Buffalo Bills matchup.
It’s the unstoppable force (Allen) vs. the immovable object (Macdonald’s defense).
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Experts are split. Some, like Eric D. Williams at FOX Sports, think the Bills finally end the 32-year drought with a 28-24 win. Others think the Seahawks' home-field advantage (until the neutral site) and that historic defense will be too much for anyone to overcome.
Predicting a winner in January is mostly about health. If Seattle’s secondary stays intact, they are arguably the most complete team we've seen in years. If Buffalo's run defense can just be "average" for three games, Allen will likely do the rest.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Monitor the Injury Report: Keep a close eye on Seattle's edge rushers and Buffalo's linebacker corps; these units are the "linchpins" of their respective Super Bowl runs.
- Watch the Weather: The Divisional round matchups in Denver and Buffalo are expected to be brutal. Teams with better rushing attacks (like the Rams or Broncos) have a significant edge in "frozen" playoff games.
- Check the Odds Volatility: If the Seahawks win their Divisional game convincingly, their odds will likely drop to +150 or lower. If you’re a believer, the time to move is before the weekend.
The path to Super Bowl LX is through the West Coast and the frozen tundra of the AFC. Whether it's Darnold's redemption or Allen's coronation, we're in for a wild February.
To get the most out of your Super Bowl prep, you should track the live DVOA rankings and injury updates through the Divisional round to see which favorites are actually maintaining their regular-season form.