At the start of this past season, the Seattle Seahawks were +6000 to win the Super Bowl. Their odds were so long in August that even the Arizona Cardinals were shorter favorites.<\/p>\n
Seattle managed to turn things around quickly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But which long-shot teams could have their moment in the sun this upcoming year?<\/p>\n
Pittsburgh Steelers (+6000)<\/h3>\n
I\u2019ve gone on record saying the Mike Tomlin era had run its course. He still looks like a Hall of Fame coach (and if Bill Belichick isn\u2019t one, then who is?<\/a>), but sometimes both sides need a clean slate.<\/p>\n The AFC North had a bit of a down year, yet Pittsburgh is once again the reigning division champion.<\/p>\n The defense is beginning to age, but it can still be good enough \u2014 provided the offense isn\u2019t an automatic three-and-out machine.<\/p>\n If the Steelers move on from Rodgers and hit on a quarterback in free agency<\/a>, they could be legitimate surprise contenders. For a long shot, this feels like a team that could offer a very positive cashout opportunity by midseason.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Does anyone remember that Washington was one game away from the Super Bowl in 2025?<\/p>\n The Commanders didn\u2019t get much grace for the injury bug that plagued them last season. That could resurface \u2014 they still have one of the oldest rosters in the league \u2014 but I\u2019m willing to bet on a Jayden Daniels resurgence.<\/p>\n Daniels is only one year removed from one of the best rookie seasons we\u2019ve ever seen. Washington also has a much easier schedule this year, and adding someone like Caleb Downs in the first round could help patch up defensive issues.<\/p>\n If Daniels and Terry McLaurin stay healthy for a full season, I\u2019ll keep the faith in Washington as a long shot.<\/p>\n Halfway through last season, the Colts were 7-1 and eyeing a first-round bye. A few weeks later, Daniel Jones\u2019 Achilles tear flipped the season<\/a> upside down.<\/p>\n I\u2019d like to believe the version of Indianapolis we saw in the first half wasn\u2019t a fugazi.<\/p>\n Mostly, I believe in Shane Steichen as a head coach. I\u2019m not sure if Jones will be ready immediately, so they may need to explore quarterback options in free agency \u2014 or give Anthony Richardson one last shot.<\/p>\n I\u2019ll admit it: I have a slightly delusional belief in Richardson. He hasn\u2019t shown much that would convince a rational observer he\u2019s a long-term NFL starter, but the arm talent and athleticism are too freakish to completely give up on.<\/p>\n This is my least favorite of the three teams, but the Colts defense alone could be good enough to make some noise.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\nWashington Commanders (+6000)<\/h3>\n<\/section>\n
Dec 7, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) drops back to pass against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n
Indianapolis Colts (+6000)<\/h3>\n<\/section>\n
Dec 7, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) looks to throw downfield against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Travis Register-Imagn Images <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n