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Vegas Sees 4 Teams in the Same Boat as Vikings

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Vikings WR Justin Jefferson in 2024 against the Colts
Nov 3, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) catches the onside kick against the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings have +5000 odds to win the Super Bowl in 2026, which is about the same as a snowfall in Minneapolis on Memorial Day.

Every year, we uplift teams that live in the same neighborhood of Super Bowl odds as Minnesota, and this go-around, there are about four clubs. Ranked in ascending order, the following franchises have similar Super Bowl moneyline (No. 1 = closest Vikings comp in 2026).

Vikings Share Vegas Tier with Four Squads

Aaron Rodgers trots out for pregame introductions before a Steelers game against the Bengals. Vikings Super Bowl odds
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers runs onto the field for pregame introductions at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. Rodgers entered the spotlight on November 16, 2025, before a divisional matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals as the stadium atmosphere built and anticipation surrounded the veteran quarterback’s latest AFC North appearance. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers
Odds to Win SB: +6500

Sportsbooks are not too enamored with the Steelers, probably because Pittsburgh is running it back with Aaron Rodgers, who will turn 43 in December, and got rid of Mike Tomlin after nearly two decades — in favor of Mike McCarthy. Vikings fans will know McCarthy well from his time in Green Bay and Dallas. He’s a coach who establishes legitimacy, usually manufactures a playoff appearance, and then falls short of the Super Bowl.

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Pittsburgh added wide receiver Michael Pittman, cornerback Jamel Dean, and running back Rico Dowdle. At quarterback behind Rodgers, the depth includes Will Howard, Drew Allar, and Mason Rudolph.

The time may be ripe for the Steelers to finish with a losing record for the first time since 2003.

USA Today‘s Nate Davis called Pittsburgh the 19th-best team in the business last week, explaining, “They officially have QB Aaron Rodgers and the most expensive trio of outside linebackers in the league after Nick Herbig became the latest to cash in on an expensive, aging defense that didn’t do nearly enough to support the four-time league MVP in 2025.”

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“The Steelers managed to win the AFC North in a down year for the division, but 10-7 likely won’t get the job done this time around.”

3. Washington Commanders
Odds to Win SB: +4500

Washington has slightly better odds to win it all than Minnesota, probably because Vegas trusts Jayden Daniels to rebound, after a lost 2025 season, more than Kyler Murray or J.J. McCarthy to surge in the Twin Cities. There’s also Dan Quinn, the head coach, to consider, who usually produces a steady defense.

Dan Quinn speaks with reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Vikings Super Bowl odds
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn speaks with reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine inside the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. Quinn met with the media on February 24, 2026, as Washington evaluated draft prospects and discussed offseason plans following the franchise’s successful season and deep postseason run. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

K’Lavon Chaisson (DE), Leo Chenal (LB), Jerome Ford (RB), Nick Cross (S), Chig Okonkwo (TE), Odafe Oweh (EDGE), Amik Robertson (CB), Laremy Tunsil (OT), Rachaad White (RB), and Ahkello Witherspoon (CB) joined the roster in free agency. The Commanders also used the seventh overall pick in the draft on Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, in addition to onboarding wide receiver Antonio Williams in Round 3.

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Odds to Win SB: +5000

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Now — the teams with the same Super Bowl odds as Minnesota. Led by Baker Mayfield, who is tentatively slated for free agency in 2027, Tampa Bay will hope to return to the playoffs after a down season at 8-9 last year. Quietly, the Buccaneers reached the postseason every season from 2020 to 2024, so it was a little weird for Bucs fans to live without meaningful January football.

Tampa Bay embarked on a more modest free agency than the aforementioned Commanders, signing Alex Anzalone (LB), Kenneth Gainwell (RB), Al-Quadin Muhammad (LB), and A’Shawn Robinson (DE). In the draft, EDGE rusher Rueben Bain fell into their lap with the 15th pick, while the Buccaneers also picked linebacker Joshiah Trotter, wide receiver Ted Hurst, and cornerback Keionte Scott.

Future Hall of Famer Mike Evans finally left Tampa Bay, signing with the San Francisco 49ers.

The Buccaneers did not fetch No. 1 on this list because they’re expected to narrowly win the NFC South. Oddsmakers think the Vikings will finish in last place in the NFC North.

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1. Indianapolis Colts
Odds to Win SB: +5000

The Colts are the club most like the Vikings in 2026, per sportsbooks’ expectations. They’re slated to finish in third place in the AFC South and employ a quarterback, Daniel Jones — a former Viking — desperate to prove his legitimacy.

With the same odds to hoist the Lombardi Trophy as the Vikings, Indianapolis onboarded Micheal Clemons (DE), Arden Key (DE), Derrick Nnadi (DT), Cam Taylor-Britt (CB), while re-upping with the aforementioned Jones and wide receiver Alec Pierce.

Dan Quinn talks with reporters during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Vikings Super Bowl odds
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn addresses the media during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Quinn spoke on February 24, 2026, while league executives and coaches gathered in Indianapolis to evaluate draft prospects and begin preparations for the upcoming NFL season. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

Sans a 1st-Round pick this year and next due to the Sauce Gardner trade, the Colts walked away from the draft with CJ Allen, a linebacker from Georgia, and safety A.J. Haulcy of LSU.

Sharp Football‘s Raymond Sumerlin noted on the Colts this month after ranking them No. 21 in power rankings, “The Colts got good value on CJ Allen, who some thought was a first-round talent, but they simply did not have the draft capital to add much to the roster. The pass rush still looks like a major area of concern.”

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If you’re looking for the best comp for the 2026 Vikings, based on how the world feels, it’s the Colts.


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Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

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Chris Newsome urges quick turnaround for Meralco after loss

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Meralco Bolts' Chris Newsome and Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings' Riley Grigsby during a game in the 2026 PBA Governors' Cup.Meralco Bolts' Chris Newsome and Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings' Riley Grigsby during a game in the 2026 PBA Governors' Cup.

Meralco Bolts’ Chris Newsome and Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ Riley Grigsby during a game in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Meralco guard Chris Newsome knows the Bolts can’t afford to dwell on another setback in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup.

The veteran guard stressed the importance of moving on quickly after the Bolts fell to Barangay Ginebra, 84-75, at Mall of Asia Arena on Friday.

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“We got to have short-term memory. It’s tough when you lose a game like that. We didn’t have momentum, we didn’t shoot well, it was one of those nights that you want to try and forget quickly,” he told the Inquirer.

“With a game on Sunday, that’s exactly what we have to do. We have to find a way to erase this one.”

Playing with a depleted lineup, the Bolts trailed from start to finish after falling behind, 18-10, at the end of the first quarter and never matched the Gin Kings’ intensity.

With a 2-3 card and a long break looming, Newsome hopes Meralco quickly shifts its focus to Sunday’s matchup against a surging Rain or Shine squad at Araneta Coliseum.

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“We have to stay positive in the things that we do. We have to continue to trust what we do even if it didn’t show up today,” he said.

“Things aren’t gonna go your way all the time but we have to stay strong and keep pushing forward.”



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Judo gold rush, Neeraj Chopra claims silver, Tejaswin Shankar scripts decathlon history

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Team India enjoyed a landmark ninth day at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Friday, July 31. Highlighted by a historic double gold sweep on the judo mat, a podium finish in the men’s javelin throw, and a groundbreaking medal in athletics, the Indian contingent added significantly to its collection as the Games hit their climax. Team India’s medal tally stands at 23 won medals after day 9, along with 10 guaranteed medals locked in for upcoming finals.

Here is a full breakdown of how Team India performed across venues on Day 9.


Judo: Twin Commonwealth Games golds and silver mark red-letter day for Indian combat sports

Judo - Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games: Day 8 - Source: GettyJudo - Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games: Day 8 - Source: Getty
Judo – Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games: Day 8 – Source: Getty

India’s judokas produced a standout performance at the venue, delivering one of the finest single-day displays in the country’s Commonwealth Games history.

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Asmita Dey scripts Golden Score drama

In the women’s 48kg final, young judoka Asmita Dey displayed remarkable resilience against Canada’s Heidi Quach. After a tight bout during regulation time, the contest moved into Golden Score overtime, where Asmita executed a decisive throw to score a Yuko and secure India’s first judo gold medal in Glasgow.

Harsh Singh doubles the gold tally

Minutes later in the men’s 60kg final, Harsh Singh completed a flawless tournament run. Taking on Australia’s Joshua Katz, Harsh remained composed before scoring a crucial point in the closing moments to bag India’s second judo gold medal of the day.

Yamini Maurya earns silver

In the women’s 57kg final, Yamini Maurya added to India’s combat medal count with a hard-fought silver medal. Yamini reached the final following an emphatic 98-second Ippon victory in her semi-final bout before falling short against England’s Acelya Toprak.


Track & field: Javelin double podium and historic decathlon medal at Commonwealth Games

Neeraj Chopra takes silver; Yash Vir Singh claims bronze

The marquee event of the evening took place at the stadium in the men’s javelin throw final. Two-time Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra registered a season-best effort of 85.83m to claim the silver medal. Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage captured gold with a massive 89.75m throw.

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Joining Chopra on the podium was teammate Yash Vir Singh, who launched a personal best throw of 85.41m on his final attempt to snatch the bronze medal and secure a 2-3 finish for India.

Tejaswin Shankar scripts decathlon history

Multi-event athlete Tejaswin Shankar turned in a heroic two-day performance across ten grueling disciplines to claim the bronze medal in the men’s decathlon with a total of 7,976 points. Shankar’s podium finish marks India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games medal in the decathlon.


Boxing: Unbeaten semi-final sweep sends ten Indians into finals of Commonwealth Games 2026

India’s boxing squad put together a dominant session, winning all scheduled semi-final bouts to guarantee ten spots in the gold medal clashes:

  • Women’s 54kg: Preeti Pawar defeated Zambia’s Catherine Mwape via a unanimous 5-0 decision.
  • Men’s 80kg: Ankush Panghal controlled his bout against Canada’s Joshua Ofori to advance.
  • Women’s 57kg: Jaismine Lamboria notched a Referee Stops Contest (RSC) victory over Lesotho’s Rapelanf Maselela.
  • Women’s 70kg: Arundhati Chaudhary comfortably defeated Rosie Eccles of Wales.
  • Men’s 55kg: Jadumani Singh outpointed Namibia’s Philip Haoseb via unanimous decision.
  • Women’s 51kg & 60kg: Sakshi Chaudhary and Priya Ghanghas sealed victories over their respective semi-final opponents.
  • Heavyweight bouts: Lovlina Borgohain, Sachin Siwach, and Narender Berwal closed out the day with semi-final wins.

Lawn bowls and track cycling at Commonwealth Games

Here is the performance of Indian athletes at lawn bowls and track racing on day 9:

  • Lawn bowls: The men’s pairs duo of Navneet Singh and Dinesh Kumar extended their unbeaten run by defeating the Falkland Islands 2-0 in sectional play to move into the knockout rounds. In women’s singles, Nayanmoni Saikia posted a convincing 2-0 win over Zambia’s Mildred Mkandawire.
  • Track cycling: Harshveer Sekhon and Dinesh Kumar competed in the men’s 4000m individual pursuit qualification rounds but missed out on advancing to the final heat.