Nine weeks into the 2025 NFL season, the usual hierarchy has fractured. The Kansas City Chiefs—typically considered annual favorites—sit at 5-4 in third place in their own division, while unexpected contenders like the Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, and Denver Broncos occupy the conversation at 7-2. The NFC presents a similarly chaotic picture, with Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, Los Angeles, and Seattle all clustered at 6-2. For those tracking upcoming matches and looking to capitalize on shifting valuations, this unpredictability has created both challenges and opportunities. The landscape is volatile enough that incorporating tools like the DraftKings promo code can help maximize value on a season that refuses to play by traditional script.

Who Is Favored To Win Super Bowl LX?

The typical blueprint for identifying Super Bowl contenders—strong regular season records, proven quarterback play, and consistent defensive performances—doesn’t quite hold up this year. While several teams have compiled impressive records through nine weeks, the quality of those wins tells a different story. The Colts’ 7-2 mark looks considerably less convincing after Daniel Jones and the New York Giants exposed them in a recent matchup. Similarly, Denver’s position atop the AFC West came with an unconvincing narrow victory over a Houston Texans squad without C.J. Stroud. These are the kinds of wins that often don’t translate to playoff success, yet they’ve kept these teams in the conversation for bettors and analysts alike.

New England represents one of the few exceptions to this inconsistency narrative. Drake Maye’s emergence has carried the Patriots to a six-game winning streak, positioning them as the most reliable AFC option to build on momentum. In contrast, the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs—teams that would normally anchor any Super Bowl discussion—have both stumbled recently. The Bills sit at 6-2 despite trailing New England in the AFC East, while Mahomes’ Chiefs suffered a disappointing Week 9 loss that highlighted their vulnerability in crucial moments.

NFC Contenders Face Their Own Questions

The NFC picture remains muddled despite the strong win-loss records on display. Philadelphia enjoyed a bye week last week, but before that, consecutive defeats to Denver and New York raised legitimate questions about their consistency. The Eagles have the talent and pedigree to mount a deep playoff run, yet the volatility remains concerning. Tampa Bay’s 6-2 record has been propped up by Baker Mayfield’s stellar play, but whether he can sustain that performance through January remains a significant question mark, particularly given his historical struggles in playoff environments.

Los Angeles and Seattle, both at 6-2, represent interesting middle-ground options—strong enough to be in the mix but not necessarily the teams anyone is confident will hoist the Lombardi Trophy. The Rams’ front-office commitment to competing now has been tested by a disappointing stretch of games, while the Seahawks remain talented but not quite polished enough to feel like legitimate contenders.

Tough Year To Call So Far

This year’s NFL season stands out for how quickly conventional wisdom collapses. The moment a team looks poised to emerge as a legitimate Super Bowl threat, an unexpected loss or performance issue casts doubt back across the field. That’s precisely what has made the first half of 2025 so compelling to watch and so challenging to predict.

The final nine weeks will likely separate which teams’ strong records reflect genuine contention versus which ones benefited from schedule strength and fortune. Until then, the market remains wide open—and for bettors, that unpredictability is exactly what keeps things interesting.