NFL: Longest preseason odds to win the Super Bowl

Every NFL season brings a mix of favorites and underdogs, but some teams enter the year with odds so long that a Super Bowl victory would shock the football world. Despite these steep expectations, history shows that a mix of determination, strategy, and timely performances can overcome the most daunting predictions. Examining the longest preseason odds to win the Super Bowl highlights the teams that turned skepticism into legendary success.

1999 St. Louis Rams

Team Preseason Odds: +15000
The 1999 Rams entered the season as a massive longshot after finishing 4–12 the year before and losing starting quarterback Trent Green in the preseason. Kurt Warner, an undrafted backup who had been stocking shelves just years earlier, stepped in and led one of the most explosive offenses in NFL history. “The Greatest Show on Turf” shocked the league and culminated in a dramatic Super Bowl XXXIV win over the Titans. Their run remains the gold standard for improbable champions.

2025 New England Patriots

Team Preseason Odds: +8000
The Patriots are entering the 2025 season as extreme underdogs, reflecting years of roster turnover and uncertainty at key positions. With a mix of young talent and veteran leadership, they are expected to fight uphill in a competitive AFC. If history is any guide, disciplined coaching and opportunistic play could allow them to defy expectations. Their storyline will be watched closely given the precedent of 2001.

2025 Seattle Seahawks

Team Preseason Odds: +6000
The Seahawks are viewed as longshots due to roster changes and questions at quarterback heading into 2025. Seattle has a track record of rising to the occasion in the playoffs, particularly with a strong defense and rushing attack. Fans hope that underdog determination could carry them deep if the team clicks at the right time. Any postseason success would continue the franchise’s legacy of improbable runs.

2001 New England Patriots

Team Preseason Odds: +6000
The Patriots were largely overlooked entering 2001, coming off a mediocre season with little national attention. After Drew Bledsoe went down early, sixth-round pick Tom Brady took over and steadily guided the team forward. New England relied on disciplined defense, timely offense, and clutch late-game execution. Their upset victory over the heavily favored Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI launched a dynasty no one saw coming.

1981 San Francisco 49ers

Team Preseason Odds: +5000
San Francisco had struggled for years and was not viewed as a contender entering the 1981 season. Under second-year head coach Bill Walsh and young quarterback Joe Montana, the 49ers developed a precise, efficient West Coast offense. “The Catch” in the NFC Championship Game symbolized their sudden rise. They capped the season with a convincing Super Bowl XVI win and the start of a legendary era.

2017 Philadelphia Eagles

Team Preseason Odds: +4000
The Eagles were considered a fringe contender before the season and became even bigger underdogs after MVP-caliber quarterback Carson Wentz suffered a late-season injury. Backup Nick Foles stepped in and delivered one of the most remarkable postseason performances ever. Philadelphia embraced an underdog identity and played fearlessly throughout the playoffs. Their Super Bowl LII victory over the Patriots earned the franchise its first Lombardi Trophy.

1982 Washington Commanders

Team Preseason Odds: +3500
Washington entered the strike-shortened 1982 season with modest expectations and little national buzz. Head coach Joe Gibbs built a physical, run-heavy team anchored by the dominant “Hogs” offensive line. Quarterback Joe Theismann efficiently led the offense while the defense controlled games. Washington surged late and won Super Bowl XVII, validating their tough, methodical approach.

1980 Oakland Raiders

Team Preseason Odds: +3500
The Raiders began the 1980 season with instability and eventually turned to quarterback Jim Plunkett, who had been considered a bust. Plunkett caught fire late in the season, and Oakland entered the playoffs as a Wild Card team. Their physical style and playoff experience proved decisive against favored opponents. They became the first Wild Card team to win the Super Bowl with a victory in Super Bowl XV.

2007 New York Giants

Team Preseason Odds: +3000
The Giants entered 2007 with doubts surrounding Eli Manning and a team that barely made the playoffs. Once the postseason began, their defensive line dominated elite quarterbacks, including Tom Brady. New York upset the previously undefeated Patriots in one of the biggest Super Bowl shocks ever. Super Bowl XLII cemented their run as one of the most unlikely championships in league history.

2011 New York Giants

Team Preseason Odds: +2200
The 2011 Giants were inconsistent throughout the regular season and entered the playoffs as underdogs again. Eli Manning delivered one of the best postseason quarterback performances of the era. The defense elevated its play at the right time, repeatedly pressuring opposing quarterbacks. They once again stunned the Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI, proving their 2007 run was no fluke.

2000 Baltimore Ravens

Team Preseason Odds: +2200
Baltimore was not viewed as a serious Super Bowl threat entering the 2000 season, particularly due to offensive limitations. What followed was one of the most dominant defensive seasons in NFL history. The Ravens leaned on suffocating defense, a powerful run game, and timely plays from quarterback Trent Dilfer. Their Super Bowl XXXV win remains a benchmark for defense-driven champions.

2009 New Orleans Saints

Team Preseason Odds: +2000
The Saints had never won a Super Bowl and were not widely expected to contend in 2009. Drew Brees led a dynamic offense, while the defense thrived on aggressive, turnover-creating play. New Orleans built momentum throughout the season and delivered key plays in critical moments. Their Super Bowl XLIV victory marked a historic and emotional breakthrough for the franchise.

Conclusion

These improbable runs remind us that preseason predictions are far from destiny in the NFL. Teams like the 1999 Rams, 2001 Patriots, and 2017 Eagles prove that preparation, resilience, and clutch performances can rewrite expectations. The list of longest preseason odds champions serves as a testament to the thrill of football, where underdogs can seize the ultimate prize against all odds.

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