Surprising Team Called New 'AFC Favorite for the Super Bowl' by NFL Coach, Latest Odds for All Teams

The NFL has officially turned the page to the second half of the 2026 season, and the top Super Bowl contenders are starting to emerge.

The Athletic's Mike Sando spoke to an NFL coach who had a surprising prediction about the Jacksonville Jaguars following their 33-10 win over the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday Night Football.

"I think they are the AFC favorite for the Super Bowl," the coach said.

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FanDuel Sportsbook gives the Jags the fourth-best odds to win the Super Bowl at +850. The latest odds for every team are as follows:

• Buffalo Bills: +600
• San Francisco 49ers: +600
• Chicago Bears: +800
• Jacksonville Jaguars: +850
• Kansas City Chiefs: +1,200
• Los Angeles Rams: +1,300
• Cincinnati Bengals: +1,300
• Detroit Lions: +1,400
• Seattle Seahawks: +1,400
• Denver Broncos: +1,700
• Green Bay Packers: +2,000
• New England Patriots: +2,700
• Minnesota Vikings: +2,700
• Houston Texans: +3,500
• Pittsburgh Steelers: +4,000
• Dallas Cowboys: +5,500
• Tampa Bay Bucaneers: +6,000
• New York Giants: +6,500
• Carolina Panthers: +10,000
• Atlanta Falcons: +12,500
• Washington Commanders: +12,500
• New Orleans Saints: +12,500
• Baltimore Ravens: +15,000
• Las Vegas Raiders: +17,500
• Cleveland Browns: +22,500
• Tennessee Titans: +100,000
• Arizona Cardinals: +100,000
• Indianapolis Colts: +100,000
• Los Angeles Chargers: +100,000
• New York Jets: +100,000
• Miami Dolphins: +100,000
• Philadelphia Eagles: +100,000

At 6-2 in their second year under head coach Liam Coen, the Jags appear to be clicking on all cylinders. They made a splash ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline by acquiring veteran safety Jessie Bates from the Atlanta Falcons.

"They're the type of playoff-contending team that's dangerous because they're so versatile," the coach told Sando of the Jaguars. "They could beat you in a low-scoring game. They could beat you in a high-scoring game. Whereas with Buffalo, you gotta worry about Josh Allen, but he can be volatile. Can he play two or three clean games to get them to the Super Bowl?"

Sando also spoke to an executive who pegged the Jags alongside the Bills as the frontrunners in the AFC.

"To me, it's a two-team race (in the AFC)," the exec said. "I think Jacksonville and Buffalo are clearly above K.C., Denver, anyone in the North."

The Jags will be seeking their third straight win when they return to action in Week 10 against the Tennessee Titans (1-7).