Just one week into the 2026 NFL season following a loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Australia, the Super Bowl favorite Los Angeles Rams will face major preseason questions.
Los Angeles announced Sunday that defensive player of the year Myles Garrett — the team’s main offseason acquisition — will miss at least four weeks on injured reserve as if an embarrassing Week 1 loss to an NFC West rival in an international exhibition game wasn’t enough. Recovery from knee surgery.
After enduring a nightmare opening week, it felt like the sky might fall on the Rams after the nightmare. But with all the hype and hype, BetMGM has the Rams down with Super Bowl winning odds — and they still remain the favorites. Los Angeles (+650) has fallen slightly from its +500 preseason perch, while rivals in the Rams, Buffalo Bills (+900), Baltimore Ravens (+1000) and Seattle Seahawks (+1100) haven’t gained much ground after strong Week 1 wins.
Super Bowl odds
What does history say about Super Bowl favorites losing Week 1?
Los Angeles is a strong early vote of confidence that reigning MVP Matthew Stafford and a loaded supporting cast will turn around to maintain the pole position. The return of Aaron Donald should be a defensive step that helps make up for Garrett’s absence as a new-look Los Angeles defense finds its feet. The Rams also have history on their side: Four of the previous five preseason Super Bowl favorites or losers in Week 1 have still made the playoffs.
The 2010 Indianapolis Colts, 2015 Seahawks, 2017 Patriots and 2023 Kansas City Chiefs made the playoffs after losing their opener as preseason Super Bowl favorites, with Kansas City eventually winning the title and New England falling short to Philadelphia in Super Bowl LII.
Preseason favorites and co-favorites actually have a surprising tendency to lose in Week 1 — including three times in the last four seasons — although it’s worth noting that, last season, the Ravens lost to the preseason Super Bowl co-favorites in the opening week and ended up going 8-9.
Baltimore suffered a humiliating setback, injuries to key players and a difficult early schedule helped undo the Ravens. Two-time MVP Lamar Jackson missed four early games and Baltimore never recovered from a disastrous 1-5 start.
The NFC West looks like a gauntlet again with defending champions Seattle and San Francisco poised for strong seasons. Life in the NFL changes quickly from year to year, but Los Angeles can take solace in knowing their remaining schedule only includes eight more games against the playoff teams they played last season.
An injury to Garrett, the league’s best pass rusher, remains a long-term threat for Los Angeles and its true ceiling. But as long as Stafford stays healthy, Los Angeles should continue to get the benefit of the doubt.
With an impressive win to start the season, San Francisco (+1400) jumped from +1700 odds to join Kansas City (+1400) in a tie for fifth. After several recent seasons have been marred by missing star players, injuries will once again be the storyline for the Niners going forward. But an early win against Los Angeles and a positive start from new wide receiver Mike Evans gives San Francisco good hopes for a big season.
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Bears, Giants, Steelers among early movers
Although the early season focus tends to stay with the top contenders, last season’s championship matchup between the Seahawks and Patriots showed there is still plenty of time for other teams to make a serious move.
Entering Week 2 last season, Seattle was tied for 20th at +8000 odds, while New England was 25th at +12500. Both teams went from ideas to serious contenders in no time.
There hasn’t been much movement among the contenders in the secondary following Week 1, but after a Madden-like 59-point performance against the Carolina Panthers on the road, the Chicago Bears (+2000) are quickly gaining steam.
Among the exciting postseason contenders, Chicago went from 15th in the preseason at +2500 odds to ninth at +2000 odds after a Week 1 loss. Top-three MVP contender In the process.
In coach Ben Johnson’s second season, the Bears have an explosive offense capable of putting up points in a hurry. After giving up 38 points to Carolina, it’s hard to say how Chicago’s defense will fare against the competition. While Chicago’s defense stopped some big plays, other teams will have to go with the Bears and an emerging Williams.
The New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers (both +5000) both made significant increases after their Week 1 victories. Riding high after a win over the NFC East rival Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night, the Giants offense is off to a promising start behind second-year signal caller Jackson Dart. Coming off +6600 preseason odds, they get their first test when they fly cross-country to face the Rams in Week 2 on Monday night. If New York gets past Los Angeles, the next four games are winner-takes-all, all against teams that missed the playoffs last season.
Pittsburgh jumped from +8000 odds in a home win over Atlanta. Overcoming a slow start from quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Steelers’ defense looked strong despite the absence of star cornerback Joey Porter Jr., and the Steelers will face a tough challenge in Week 2, similar to the Giants.
