Of the 32 NFL teams, there are 12 that haven’t reached the peak of the sport and been crowned the champions of the Super Bowl. Today, we’re going to focus on those 12 teams and whether we could get First Time Super Bowl Champion here’s the Odds and Best Bets.
Eight of the 12 teams have been to the Super Bowl, and two of those teams have been there four times apiece. Four of them have never been to the big game. The last time it happened you have to go back to 2017 and Super Bowl LII, when the Philadelphia Eagles, led by Nick Foles, defeated the New England Patriots to win their first Super Bowl. Of course, they’ve now added a second championship ring, defeating the Chiefs last season.
First Time Super Bowl Champion Odds and Best Bets
Odds to Win Super Bowl LX
Buffalo Bills +650
Detroit Lions +1000
Cincinnati Bengals +2000
Los Angeles Chargers +2800
Minnesota Vikings +3000
Houston Texans +3500
Arizona Cardinals +6000
Jacksonville Jaguars +8000
Atlanta Falcons +8000
Carolina Panthers +12000
Tennessee Titans +20000
Cleveland Browns +25000
First Time Super Bowl Champion Odds and Best Bets
Cleveland Browns
The Browns have made the conference championship game in 1987 and 1989, but both times failed to get to the Super Bowl. The Browns do have four NFL championships, but they all predate the Super Bowl Era. This year, well, they are the favorites to have the fewest wins in the league. Their Quarterback situation leaves a lot to be desired.
Tennessee Titans
“One Yard Short” is the Titans’ Story. In Super Bowl XXXIV, Kevin Dyson was tackled just one yard short of the goal line, and the Rams defeated the Titans in their lone appearance. A rebuilding team now, that’s hopefully figured out their Quarterback for the future, they are top five in odds when it comes to having the worst record in 2025.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers have been to the big game twice. First against the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVIII and again in Super Bowl 50 against the Denver Broncos. Having to face both Tom Brady and Peyton Manning is a tough draw, no doubt. They’re seemingly on the right path with Dave Canales and Bryce Young, but a long way off from winning their first Super Bowl.
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta made their first appearance in Super Bowl XXXIII against the Denver Broncos. Their second was the 28-3 game in Super Bowl LI. Of course, in Super Bowl LI, they famously had a 28-3 lead over the Patriots before the biggest comeback in the game’s history gave the Patriots another win. Atlanta had flashes of Michael Penix showing he can be the guy, and the NFC South is one of the weakest in the NFL. They are the first team we’ve covered that has a legit shot at getting to the playoffs, but even if they do. It’s unlikely they’ll come out as champs.
First Time Super Bowl Champion Odds and Best Bets
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars have never been to the Super Bowl. They were 2:49 away from their first appearance in 2017 when they led the Patriots in the AFC Championship game. A late Tom Brady touchdown pass gave the win to the Patriots. This season, they have a new Head Coach in Liam Coen. Twice (1971, 1990), a first-year Head Coach has won the big game. He’s got the quarterback and some strong pieces like Brian Thomas Jr. They are two years removed from a nine-win season. It would be quite a surprise to see them get there, but it’s not completely out of the question.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals, under the leadership of Kurt Warner, made an appearance in Super Bowl XLIII. Winning only nine games in the regular season, it was an upset for them to get to the game, and they had the lead with just 36 seconds left in the game. Santonio Holmes caught a touchdown pass in the back of the end zone to break their hearts. The Cardinals did win an NFL Championship back in 1947, well before the Super Bowl era. If I were going to place a long shot bet, this is the team I’d take. They are sneaky good and could be a surprising team in 2025.
Houston Texans
The Texans have also never been to the big game. The closest they’ve come is the divisional round. They are the only franchise never to have won a road playoff game and the only one never to have appeared in a conference championship game. They’ve only been in the league since 2002 and are the newest NFL franchise in the league. They are in the best position they’ve ever been. They’ve found a star franchise Quarterback and have recorded back-to-back 10-win seasons. At this number, I’m definitely interested in betting on the Texans.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are one of the two teams that’ve been there four times and lost each one. All four came in a seven year span in the 1970s. They only scored more than seven points in one of those four games. This year, they turn the reins over to JJ McCarthy, who was injured in his rookie season, so he will basically be a rookie in 2025. That’s a good enough reason not to bet on it being their year.
First Time Super Bowl Champion Odds and Best Bets
Los Angeles Chargers
The San Diego Chargers made a single appearance in Super Bowl XXIX, where they lost to the San Francisco 49ers. They went 11-6 in Jim Harbaugh’s first season as the head coach. With quarterback Justin Herbert and a strong team under the direction of Harbaugh, this team will be a threat to compete for its first franchise title.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals have been to the Super Bowl three times in franchise history. Most recently, in Super Bowl LVI just four years ago, they fell to the Los Angeles Rams. The Bengals are my favorite outright bet for any team that has yet to win a Super Bowl. They’ve shown the ability to get to the big game and turn in big seasons. Their defense is going to need to improve, but they’ve put some great pieces in place and brought in a new defensive coordinator.
Detroit Lions
They’ve won four NFL Championships, but are one of the four teams that have not yet appeared in the Super Bowl. Twice they’ve been to the NFC Championship game, including just two seasons ago when they lost to the 49ers. The Lions are one of the best teams in the NFL. The biggest question this year is losing both their Offensive and Defense Coordinators to Head Coaching gigs.
Buffalo Bills
Their four Super Bowl appearances might be the most impressive because they are the only team in NFL history to make it to four consecutive Super Bowls. They lost all four. They’ve been a powerhouse in recent years, but have lost to the Chiefs in the playoffs in four of the last five years. They check in as co-favorites with both the Eagles and Ravens at the top of the board. For a team that continually chokes away chances when they have good teams, it’s hard to justify betting this low of a number.
First Time Super Bowl Champion Odds and Best Bets
First Time Super Bowl Winner Yes +155/ No -185
This is a bet being offered by ESPN if it interests you. -185 is pretty juicy to lay on a future, but if you wanted to bet a few of the best bets at their bigger odds and back bet with -185, it could be a profitable strategy if the Lions and Bills don’t burn you. If you feel like the Super Bowl winner is coming from this group, +155 is the bet for you!
Best Bets:
Cincinnati Bengals +2000
Houston Texans +3500
Arizona Cardinals +6000
