Vikings Face Uphill Climb in Early Super Bowl 61 Odds Despite Defensive Strength
With the 2025 NFL season officially in the books - capped by Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks pulling off a 29-13 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 60 - the league’s attention now shifts to 2026. Every team, from contenders to rebuilders, is resetting the board with one goal in mind: hoisting the Lombardi Trophy at SoFi Stadium next February.
For the Minnesota Vikings, that goal feels especially urgent - and elusive. January 9, 2026, will mark 50 years since the franchise last appeared in a Super Bowl. That game, a 32-14 loss to the then-Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XI, remains a painful milestone for a fanbase that’s been waiting half a century for another shot at the big one.
But if you’re hoping this is the year the drought ends, the oddsmakers aren’t exactly on your side.
Vikings Land in the Bottom Half of Early Super Bowl 61 Odds
Despite fielding one of the league’s top defenses in 2025 - third in total yards allowed per game (282.6) and seventh in scoring defense (19.6) - the Vikings struggled mightily on the other side of the ball. Offensive production lagged all season, ranking 28th in total yardage (275.0) and 26th in points per game (20.2). That drop-off was largely driven by instability at quarterback, a problem that loomed large all year and remains unresolved heading into the offseason.
Without a permanent general manager in place - Rob Brzezinski is currently serving in an interim role following the firing of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah - the Vikings’ offseason plans are in a bit of a holding pattern until after the draft in April. That uncertainty hasn’t helped their standing in the early betting markets.
Minnesota is currently tied for 19th in Super Bowl 61 odds at +6000, grouped with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Commanders, and Indianapolis Colts. In the NFC title race, they sit in a tie for 10th at +3000 - again, not exactly a vote of confidence from the oddsmakers.
NFC North Outlook: Vikings Chasing the Pack
Zooming in on the division, the Vikings find themselves at the bottom of the NFC North pecking order. The Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions are co-favorites to win the division at +180, followed by the Chicago Bears at +350. Minnesota trails the pack at +700.
That’s a steep hill to climb, especially in a division that’s getting more competitive by the year. Green Bay continues to develop its young core, Detroit looks like it’s finally turned the corner, and Chicago showed flashes of real progress last season. If the Vikings are going to make noise in 2026, they’ll need more than just a stout defense - they’ll need answers at quarterback, stability in the front office, and a serious boost to their offensive identity.
The Bigger Picture: Where the Vikings Stand Among the Field
Here’s a look at where Minnesota stacks up against the rest of the league in early Super Bowl 61 odds:
- Top of the board: The Seahawks and Rams are co-favorites at +950, followed closely by the Bills (+1100), Eagles (+1300), Patriots (+1300), and Ravens (+1300).
- NFC Contenders: Green Bay and Detroit are both at +1400, while San Francisco sits at +1700.
- Middle of the pack: Teams like the Bears (+2500), Cowboys (+3500), and Buccaneers (+4000) have slightly better odds than Minnesota.
- Bottom tier: The Vikings are well ahead of teams like the Falcons (+8000), Titans (+10000), and Cardinals (+25000), but still grouped outside the top 18.
What’s Next?
Of course, these numbers will shift - sometimes dramatically - over the coming months. Free agency, the draft, and training camp battles will reshape rosters and expectations alike. But as of now, the Vikings are seen as a long shot to break their Super Bowl drought in 2026.
That said, this franchise has surprised before. With a rock-solid defense already in place, a few key moves - especially under center - could quickly change the narrative. Until then, though, Minnesota remains a team with more questions than answers, and a fanbase still waiting for that long-overdue return to the NFL’s biggest stage.