Despite preseason hype, NFL teams assembled with high expectations haven’t consistently won the Super Bowl over the past 35 years. An ESPN analysis examined historical ‘big favorites’ and applied those lessons to the current Los Angeles Rams.
The Los Angeles Rams are currently favored to win the Super Bowl this season, leading many analysts to predict their success. However, a recent examination by ESPN's Barnwell suggests that being a preseason darling doesn't automatically translate into championship victory. The analysis looked at teams over the last 35 years who were considered strong contenders before the season began.
The core finding is that while the Rams are “loaded this season,” past teams with similar levels of hype haven’t always lived up to expectations. Barnwell sized up historic big favorites – analyzing why they succeeded or failed – and then applied those lessons to the 2026 Rams, seeking to determine if their current status as frontrunners is justified based on historical precedent.
The article doesn't specify *why* these highly-touted teams fail to win consistently, but implies that preseason expectations don’t always align with in-season performance and playoff results. The analysis serves as a cautionary note for those already crowning the Rams champions.
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