Sports
Super Bowl LXI: Seahawks set as early favorite in 2027
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half in the 2026 NFC Championship Game at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images Super Bowl LXI in the Los Angeles area falls on Valentine’s Day next year, and 31 teams will again be going home with heartbreak.
With a little more than a year to go, sportsbooks are still feeling a lot of love for the NFC West.
The Seattle Seahawks are favored on consensus odds for Super Bowl LXI to again represent the NFC by a slim margin at +750 over the Los Angeles Rams (+800). The Buffalo Bills (+1000) have the best odds on the AFC side.
The Rams would be playing at their home field, SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., where they won Super Bowl LVI, if they can overcome the Seahawks and the rest of the NFC to get back to the big game. Seattle eliminated Los Angeles in the NFC title game 31-27.
Buffalo’s biggest competition comes from the reigning AFC champion New England Patriots, as well as the Baltimore Ravens (+1200). The Ravens made a coaching change after missing the playoffs in an attempt to catch lightning in a bottle as the Patriots did by hiring Mike Vrabel following consecutive 4-13 seasons.
The Green Bay Packers (+1300) are followed by the Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs on the next rung at +1500. The Lions and Chiefs missed the playoffs but still have the core pieces and foundational players from recent runs of success. A big question for the Chiefs is Patrick Mahomes’ recovery from a torn ACL.
Four 2025 playoff teams — the San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, Jacksonvulle Jaguars and Houston Texans — are all +2000 to win the Lombari Trophy in 2027.
On the other end of the spectrum, the New York Jets have the longest odds to win the Super Bowl at 250-1 or plus +25000.
They are below the Miami Dolphins (225-1), Arizona Cardinals (200-1), New Orleans Saints (175-1), Carolina Panthers (150-1) and Tennessee Titans (150-1).
The Las Vegas Raiders hold the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and are 125-1, even with the Cleveland Browns.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: QB Derek Carr could unretire provided situation is right
Dec 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) walks off the field after field after an injury during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Derek Carr retired from the NFL prior to the start of last season, however that doesn’t mean that he and the league have completely moved on from each other.
Carr, 34, reportedly has considered ending his retirement if there’s a team that provides the “right fit and coaching staff,” per NFL Network.
“Never say never,” the four-time Pro Bowl quarterback said in September when asked about a return on “The Dan Patrick Show.”
“Because I’ve learned that when I say never, it usually happens.”
Carr retired last May due to a labral tear in his shoulder and damage to his rotator cuff.
The injuries at that time, however, didn’t stop teams from inquiring about his services. One such team reportedly was the Cincinnati Bengals, who saw Pro Bowl quarterback Joe Burrow go down early in the season. The Bengals ultimately elected to sign Joe Flacco to address their quarterback situation.
A now-healthy Carr remains under contract with the New Orleans Saints, who moved on last season with rookie Tyler Shough. It is believed he and the Saints could reach an agreement on the contract issue.
He potentially could have an opportunity in Las Vegas for a reunion with the Raiders.
His offensive coordinator with the Saints in 2024, Klint Kubiak, holds the same post with the Seattle Seahawks — and he is expected to accept the Raiders’ head-coaching position after Sunday’s Super Bowl LX. The Raiders hold the top overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and are expected to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, but the Raiders might want an experienced starter while Mendoza waits in the wings.
Carr threw for 41,245 yards and 257 touchdowns against 112 interceptions in 169 games for the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders (2014-22) and Saints. He was selected by the Raiders in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Fresno State.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Bears to promote Press Taylor to OC
Nov 3, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images The Chicago Bears are promoting passing game coordinator Press Taylor to offensive coordinator, NFL Network reported Sunday.
Once the deal is official, the 38-year-old Taylor will replace Declan Doyle, who accepted the same job with the Baltimore Ravens.
Taylor’s first NFL job came with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013 when he was named offensive quality control coach. He rose through the ranks to quarterback coach and passing game coordinator, then became a senior offensive assistant with the Indianapolis Colts in 2021. He then spent three seasons as the offensive coordinator of the Jacksonville Jaguars before landing on Ben Johnson’s staff in Chicago.
Taylor likely will not call plays in Chicago for quarterback Caleb Williams. Johnson holds that role.
Taylor is the younger brother of Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Knicks' OG Anunoby out, Karl-Anthony Towns to play vs. Celtics
Dec 30, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts with guard Josh Hart (3), and forward OG Anunoby (8) after a field goal during the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby has been ruled out of Sunday afternoon’s game against the host Boston Celtics due to a toe injury.
Anunoby joined center Karl-Anthony Towns (right eye laceration) in sitting out Friday as New York saw its season-best eight-game winning streak come to a halt with a 118-80 loss to the Detroit Pistons.
Towns, however, and guard Josh Hart (ankle) are available to play on Sunday against the Celtics.
All three players were listed as questionable on the injury report.
Anunoby, 28, is averaging 16.6 points and 5.5 rebounds in 41 games (all starts) this season.
Towns, 30, contributes 19.9 points and a team-best 11.9 rebounds in 48 games (all starts) in 2025-26.
Hart, 30, is averaging 12.1 points and 7.6 rebounds in 40 games (26 starts) this season.
–Field Level Media
Report: QB Derek Carr could unretire provided situation is right
Report: Bears to promote Press Taylor to OC
