It's not difficult to look across the NFL and identify the top Super Bowl contenders. The three easiest teams that fit this would be the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, and Denver Broncos, but other teams certainly have arguments to be considered one.
Last year, though, I am not sure many thought the Seahawks and New England Patriots would emerge as Super Bowl teams, so the 2026 season could bring two of these types of teams emerging. While much of the focus is on the very best squads in the league, we've decided to shine a light on some teams we believe could be a Super Bowl dark-horse.
Let's dive into five potential Super Bowl dark-horse teams for the 2026 NFL Season.
Super Bowl dark-horse teams that could shock the NFL world in 2026
Minnesota Vikings
I have said this for much of the offseason - the Minnesota Vikings quietly won nine games last year. Even with bottom-3 quarterback play, this team was a winning squad. Kyler Murray is now in the mix, and I am of the belief that he signed there knowing for a fact he'll start. I would not be shocked if there was some sort of back-door agreement in this regard that wasn't made public.
Anyway, Murray is going to provide some stability and play-making ability for the Vikings, and he's surrounded by a great offensive line, elite wide receivers, and competent running backs and tight ends. The defense should continue being a top-10 unit, and if it all comes together, a few more wins from 2025 into 2026 feels like, and a magical Super Bowl run might not be out of the question.
Honestly, there are some similarities with the 2024 Seahawks and the 2025 Vikings.
Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders won 12 games in 2024 and got within one game of the Super Bowl. For 2026, the roster is much improved, and the team could simply enjoy better injury luck, which is what plagued their 2025 season - mounting injuries all over the place.
Jayden Daniels being able to stay on the field for a full 17 games, which he did as a rookie, coupled with a roster that got a lot better this offseason, could be the fuel that ignites a potential Super Bowl fire.
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints would definitely be the least likely of this group, but we're also arguing for dark-horse teams, so you never know. The Saints won four of five games to end the 2025 season and saw then-rookie quarterback Tyler Shough stack together some solid performances.
A year two jump is not out of the question for Shough, as he does appear to have a complete skill set at the position. The Saints added a good bit of help on offense with guard David Edwards, running back Travis Etienne, and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson.
The offense is now rather complete on paper, and defensive coordinator Brandon Staley has been quite good on that role before. It would take a lot going in their favor for this to happen, but it's not impossible.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars won 13 games last year, so you might look at them right now as being a contender. However, losing Etienne and Devin Lloyd in free agency is going to hurt, and even if those two would have re-signed, the roster still needs a bit of work.
The Houston Texans were also aggressive this offseason in improving their squad, so the Jags might actually be the second-best team in the AFC South right now. A Super Bowl run would absolutely mean that quarterback Trevor Lawrence sustains that insane level of play in the back half of 2025 for much of 2026.
It would also have to mean that the defense continues to play well. Jacksonville excelled big-time at stopping the run, so the team does have the formula.
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers have been consistently 'good' for years now. Quarterback Jordan Love has won exactly nine games in all three years he's started for the team, but once again, we're left wondering what this team did in the offseason to go from good to great.
The NFC North is also a loaded division, and the Packers really did not stand out last year. Despite all of the stability this franchise has, deep playoff success has evaded them, mostly. A potential Super Bowl run would not be the most shocking thing, but I'm not sure many immediately think of the Packers then listing the top contenders.
They're just kind of there in the NFC and have a high floor of success, but there's been little present to indicate that greatness would be on the horizon.