What does a successful season look like for these Super Bowl longshots? Las Vegas has been handicapping the upcoming season since the prior concluded in February and, through Super Bowl odds, expressed how it perceives each team. Seven teams held +10000 odds or worse.
Unfortunately, four of those teams were on last year's list, too. The following is in order from shortest to longest odds: Tennessee enters the second year with quarterback Cam Ward and the first year with coach Robert Saleh. At the bare minimum, the objective should be not to be on this list next year.
A success would be feeling good about the Ward-Saleh pairing heading into 2027. The Titans spent heavily, particularly on the defensive side of the ball ($125 million total guaranteed). It may take some time for that group to come together, but the hope is that they adopt Saleh's hard-nosed demeanor.
If all goes as planned, the franchise will be tasked with replacing pieces of the operation next offseason rather than the operation itself, positioning them to take a big leap within the AFC South. The vibes around the Falcons are not great, but few can boast the collection of elite offensive skill talent -- wide receiver Drake London, running back Bijan Robinson and tight end Kyle Pitts -- assembled in Atlanta. The best possible outcome would be having clarity on Michael Penix Jr., one way or another, entering the offseason.
If Penix is fully healthy and establishes himself as an investment-caliber quarterback, it would allow them to funnel resources elsewhere. Alternatively, if neither Tua Tagovailoa nor Penix inspires confidence, it would open the door for the team to go in another direction at the position. In either scenario, the Falcons would be staring down a full season from edge rushers James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker, as well as the hope that a new quarterback brings.
Atlanta will have the most salary cap space by a wide margin this offseason, according to Spotrac. Las Vegas' best possible outlook boils down to the success of No. 1 overall selection Fernando Mendoza and first-year coach Klint Kubiak. Despite Kirk Cousins being named the Week 1 starter, Mendoza must see the field this season and showcase the skill set that enabled him to be drafted so early, which in turn creates optimism as the 2027 campaign begins.
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